Heuer Carrera Chronograph, ref. 3647S, 1960s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Watches of Knightsbridge · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Watches of Knightsbridge · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Heuer Carrera Chronograph, ref. 3647S, 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Heuer (maker)
Date: 1960s
Historical period: Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: Stainless Steel
Dealer: Watches of Knightsbridge (dealer), London
Stock no.: CUR334
Credit line: Dealer listing, Watches of Knightsbridge (CUR334)
Catalogue title (original): Heuer Carrera Chronograph 3647S (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Watches of Knightsbridge (dealer), London (stock number CUR334), this is a wristwatch by Heuer, made in Switzerland, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: Stainless Steel. 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 — Watches of Knightsbridge

1960s Heuer Carrera 45 Chronograph, reference 3647S with serial no. 75,xxx. Overall this example remains in excellent original condition, featuring its original double register silver dial and manual wind Valjoux 92 movement. The watch has been tested and is in full working order.

Specifications — Watches of Knightsbridge

Reference: 3647S; Metal: Stainless Steel; Movement: Manual Wind, Valjoux Cal. 92; Bracelet/strap: Molequin Black Saffiano Leather Strap

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 timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

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.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Watches of Knightsbridge (dealer), London (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Watches of Knightsbridge — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Heuer Carrera Chronograph, ref. 3647S, 1960s." Watches of Knightsbridge (dealer), London, CUR334. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/heuer-carrera-chronograph-ref-3647s-1960s-a0ed63.