Why We Love It

When it comes to vintage Heuer, the Monacos, Autavias, and Carreras tend to hog the spotlight. 

And while those watches certainly hold their well deserved places in history, there is a deeper well of fascinating watches that predate them- some by just a few years- and show the lineage and design language that led to the creation of icons. 

Case in point- this chronograph was a standard model in the Heuer collection - meaning it was not part of a named series. The 36mm straight lug case shares the same proportions as those of the Carrera. The matte black reverse panda dial is sporty yet balanced, having aged gracefully with the slightest hint of tropicalization, and shows the through line from mid-century aesthetic to the Carreras that would follow. Furthermore, powered by a manually winding Valjoux movement, it becomes something of a head scratcher as to why this watch commands such a reasonable price when compared to other pieces. 

But hey, we're not going to look a gift watch in the... dial? 

Essentially, this is an opportunity to own a Carrera, but for a fraction of the price! 

The Story

Heuer is an old brand with a history spanning a century, but truly did not hit its stride until the years immediately before and following the Second World War. It was a period of great growth for the manufacture—freed from the privations of the war, the company was able to increase production. But the war’s influence was felt in other ways.

The restrictions put on precious metals during the war, as well as the necessity of fulfilling military contracts, heavily affected watch designs. That influence could still be felt in the post-war years. Once freed from military contracts, many manufactures—Heuer included—were able to apply what they learned during the war years on watches that they produced for civilians.

With sturdy 'waterproof' cases and robust internals, these watches are the aesthetic forebears of the Carrera. Moreover, this similarity has led collectors to refer to them as “pre-Carreras.” With large steel cases and robust mechanical movements, they have stood the test of time and will continue to do so for many years to come.