
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Heuer Autavia Rare Silver Dial Reference 73463, early 1970s
- Maker / attribution
- Heuer (maker)
- Date
- early 1970s
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- silver
- Dimensions
- Case 40 mm
- Stock no.
- W-923
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-923)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Heuer Autavia Rare Silver Dial Reference 73463 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-923), this is a wristwatch by Heuer, made in Switzerland, dated early 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: silver. Recorded dimensions: Case 40 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
Racing for orange accents… The Heuer Autavia was Jack Heuer’s watch that he originally envisaged as a watch for both the automotive and aviation fields – hence AUT-AVIA. This example is housed in the classic Autavia case and features the manual wind Valjoux calibre 7734 movement. The dial is a rare example in vertical brushed steel with awesome orange accents. The accents on the dial are enhanced by the match orange hour, minute and stopwatch hands. This is a very cool looking racing chrono and would be perfect for summer. Both the case and the dial remain in original and outstanding condition and this watch would appeal to anybody looking for that classic 60s/70s chrono with signature bright splashes of colour! The watch will come on a Bulang and Sons strap and has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. Specifications - Heuer Autavia - Serial 289xxx dates to the early 1970s - 40mm steel case - Rare vertical brushed silver dial - Black tachymeter bezel - Manual wind Valjoux 7734 movement - Will come on a Bulang and Sons strap - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade single leather watch pouch
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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