100th Auction

2019/11/15

Lot 7

Heuer, Swiss, "Autavia - Full Lumes - 1. Execution", Movement No. 456598, Case No. 49301, Ref. 2446M, Cal. Val. 72, 40 mm, circa 1962
The rarest and most sophisticated vintage Heuer chronographs 1st execution – with oversize sub-registers and full lume handset – in prime condition. This is one of the most authentic Autavia models ever to come on the international auction market in the last 15 years!
Case: steel; screw back; bidirectional rotating black anodized bezel with 60 minutes division and triangle with radium filling; small round non-screwed down push chronograph buttons; domed winding crown without signature. Dial: 1st execution: black; oversized silvered sub-registers with engine-turning; radium luminescent indexes/Arabic "12"; original rimless radium dauphine hands.
For a while now the early Heuer Autavia timepieces have been sold at peak prices and they regularly achieve results similar to those of the cult brands Rolex or Patek Philippe – whereas the Autavia chronographs are much more difficult to find. Every so often an Autavia reference 2446 appears on the market, it is, however, hardly ever a 1st execution or in such perfect condition as this one. This family-owned chronograph has never been presented at an auction before.
The distinctive feature of the Autavia 2446 1st execution of 1962 is the set of full lume dauphine hands without the fine steel border. Which are extremely rare since Heuer quickly realized after the launch how delicate and fragile the hands were and updated them with a steel safeguard.
Over the years the luminous mass of this chronograph has acquired a marvellous amber-coloured patina which – in combination with the black dial and the distinctive oversize subsidiary dials – gives a stunning effect.
Fortunately the case of the watch is in the same amazing condition as the dial: the large, clean bevels on the lugs are a feast for the eyes and the inlay of the triangle on the rotating bezel is immaculate. The watch still has the original small, round pushers on the side and the domed crown without the "Heuer" logo – these parts are so often lost or replaced during a service.
In the last 15 years not even 10 examples of the Autavia 2446 1st execution have appeared on the international auction market and hardly any of those were in such flawless, breathtaking condition as this piece. This is certainly the most perfect and authentic Autavia to come up for sale in recent years.

Sold

estimated
50.000150.000 €
Price realized
69.500 €