Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer is gearing up to celebrate its honorary president’s 85th birthday by releasing a limited edition reissue of his 1960s chronograph.
To mark Jack Heuer’s milestone the watchmaker has reimagined his Autavia chronograph and is offering 1,932 pieces of the modernised timepiece in reference to Heuer’s year of birth.
The number one of the 1,932-piece limited edition will be part of the exceptional timepieces at the auction Heuer Parade organised by Phillips on the November 11 in Geneva.
The new reissue, which has been designed by Heuer himself, is designed to be modern whilst being faithful to its roots and will be available from November 17.
Heuer said: “The story of the Autavia is a rich drama, full of twists and turns. It is one of my proudest achievements to have successfully converted chronographs into the Autavia wristwatch in 1962, so this collection has a special place in my heart: It was the very first timepiece that I designed, and today I am proud to present the last watch that I have created.”
The newly-designed timepiece is more imposing than its ancestor at 42mm in diameter, compared to 39mm in the 1960s, and features a 12-hour graduated bezel and a new Heuer-02 calibre proprietary chronograph movement.
Its functions are tailored to modern requirements and include a self-winding calibre, power reserve of 80 hours, a date display at six o’clock and is water resistant to 100m.
In black aluminium, the bidirectional notched bezel encircles a silver dial with three black snailed counters in an optimal layout. A legible, balanced display with hands and applique indexes in steel coated with beige Super-LumiNova.
The first reissue of the Autavia was presented at Baselworld 2017, following the Autavia Cup. From a selection of 16 vintage models, over 50,000 web users voted for their preferred reissue. It was the Autavia Rindt, worn by legendary F1 driver Jochen Rindt, which won the most votes.
The chronograph, made famous by racing drivers in the 1960s and much coveted on the collectors’ circuit, is making its comeback in 2017.
