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Heuer Carrera Chronograph Cal. 12 Ref. 110.573 with Rare “Automatic” Box, 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Heuer Carrera Chronograph Cal. 12 Ref. 110.573 with Rare “Automatic” Box, 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Heuer (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
W-2853
Credit line
Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2853)
Catalogue title (original)
Heuer Carrera Chronograph Cal. 12 Ref. 110.573 with Rare “Automatic” Box (English)

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

Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2853), this is a wristwatch by Heuer, made in Switzerland, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. 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

It is a well-known story that in 1969, three automatic chronograph calibers were introduced: the Zenith "El Primero," Seiko's Caliber 6139, and, last but not least, the joint venture between Breitling, Heuer, Büren, and Hamilton, which produced the Caliber 11. These Caliber 11 movements were used in the Heuer Monaco, Carrera, and Autavia chronograph lines. Shortly after, these movements were improved to the Caliber 12, and that's exactly what we have here! This is a beautiful Ref. 110.573 Carrera, featuring a barrel-shaped case with a soleil finish. The typical Caliber 12 winding and setting crown is positioned on the left side, with an inner tachymeter bezel. The dark blue metallic dial is paired with two dark grey registers. The dial is visually divided into three sections, creating fascinating reflections and light interactions—an incredibly cool detail. All of this is highlighted with orange-painted steel hands and a date window at 6 o’clock. Attached is a lovely steel Heuer 3-row bracelet with "straight end links." Furthermore, this watch comes with a rare "Automatic" Heuer box and a waterproofing test paper from Heuer, confirming a sale in 1975 in Germany. This fine chrono has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. This is a lovely and elegant-looking dressy sports chronograph that we would love to discuss with you more. Please get in touch! Specifications: - Heuer Carrera Reference 110.573 - Steel case, barrel-shaped, and soleil finished - Cal. 12 automatic movement - Serial 328xxx dates to the 1970s - Blue metallic dial - Rare Heuer “Automatic” box, waterproofing test paper confirming sale in 1975, Germany - Heuer steel 3-row bracelet - Fully serviced by our watchmaker

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

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

  • Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
  • Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
  • Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
  • Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

  • Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
  • Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
  • Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

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.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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