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Heuer Autavia (Ref. 2446C) NS, 1968 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Heuer Autavia (Ref. 2446C) NS, 1968

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Heuer (maker)
Date
1968
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 40 mm
Stock no.
HURAUT2446CNS
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (HURAUT2446CNS)
Catalogue title (original)
1968 Heuer Autavia (Ref. 2446C) NS (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number HURAUT2446CNS), this is a wristwatch by Heuer, made in Switzerland, dated 1968. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. 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 — Craft & Tailored

The Heuer Autavia came into production in 1933 as a dashboard timer for automotive racing and flying, where the Autavia name is derived, Auto and Aviation. The Autavia then later introduced in 1962 (The same year Jo Siffert entered Formula One) as the wristwatch we know today, and soon became the flagship for the entire Brand. The Heuer Autavia ref. 2556C is the second generation of the Autavia wristwatch that features a 40mm EPSA designed case, the same designer as the Super-Compressor dive watches of the 60s. The ref. 2246C uses a compression style case for waterproofness as well, noted by the "C" in the reference number which indicates the use of a compression snap caseback. The 2446C Autavia came with several bezel options, the tachymetre bezel being the most rare and sought after bezel variant among them. The Autavia ref. 2446c and was also produced as a GMT chronograph that featured a slightly different dial design and "Pepsi" 24hr bezel. The Heuer Autavia ref. 2446C sports the famous Valjoux 72 chronograph movement and featured either a matte black or matte white dial. Stock # HURAUT2446CNS Brand Heuer Style Autavia Model 2446C Serial 13XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black, White Sub-Dials Millimeters 40mm Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The excellent case retains its characteristic lugs chamfers and appears to have been lightly polished in the past, showing very full and even lugs with honest signs of use. The original rotating tachymetre bezel remains in beautiful condition and remains deep black in coloration with very little signs of aging. The case retains its original pump pushers and "Heuer" signed crown. The case backs factory engravings are faint but still visible, which is very common for this reference. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The matte black "reverse panda" dial with white sub-dials remains in remarkable vintage condition. The sub-dials remain bright white in coloration, showing only very light signs of aging. The tritium markers have taken on a charming dark patina, under U.V. light inspection the 6 o'clock marker exhibits some very minor degradation, the rest of the lume plots remains fully intact. The original tritium hands match the dial nicely and exhibit no degradation under U.V. light inspection. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is running at spec, previous service history is unknown.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

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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