Heuer Carrera 1153 Automatic, c. 1976

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

As far as we're concerned, a vintage Heuer Carrera is about as cool a chronograph as you can get, featuring amazing vintage looks, true motorsports pedigree, and a design originally penned by the man himself: Mr. Jack Heuer. The Carrera got its name (in 1963) from the legendary cross-isthmus road race in Mexico, known as La Carrera Panamericana. At least one other noteworthy international brand also borrowed this name for one of their products (hint...it has four wheels and the engine in the back). Originally, the Carrera was powered by manually winding chronograph movements, but with the advent of the automatic chronograph in 1969 (also pioneered by Heuer), production began shifting towards automatic in a serious way. The Carrera was among the first models to be treated to an overhaul, and a bevy of different executions began flooding out of Heuer's factory. This model, reference 1153, is one of the most highly sought after pieces from the automatic era, and dates to around 1976. Featuring a brilliant silver sunburst dial with grey-blue subsidiary registers and outer tachymetre ring, this particular piece is a rarity in any condition - never mind one this clean! This piece was fully serviced and overhauled by TAG Heuer in 2007 with a keen eye to maintaining its originality, and is ready to faithfully serve its next owner. Of particular delight is the inclusion of its original Rice Bead bracelet by legendary strap manufacturer Gay Freres. These go for big bucks all by themselves when they turn up in good condition!