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Heuer Carrera Chronomatic (Ref. 150.573 F) Cal. 15, 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Heuer Carrera Chronomatic (Ref. 150.573 F) Cal. 15, 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.
HURC150573F
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (HURC150573F)
Catalogue title (original)
1970s Heuer Carrera Chronomatic (Ref. 150.573 F) Cal. 15 (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number HURC150573F), 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 — Craft & Tailored

The Carrera was released the same year as the Daytona, and they are both named after famous races too – the Carrera for the extremely dangerous Carrera Panamericana race through Mexico, but the Carrera has many features that set it apart from its contemporaries. Heuer’s Carrera line was designed with legibility in mind, like most Heuer timepieces, however the Carrera always set itself apart stylistically with unique case shapes and dial details. The goal was to create a chronograph that was sleek and uncluttered. The Carrera ref 150.573 F is a unique take on the classic line, with a more barrel-shaped case and interesting Fume or "Smoke" dial. The Fume dial is truly a work of art, incorporating dark brown, grey, and silver colors into the scalloped metallic dial that makes for an almost psychedelic appearance to the watch without taking away the functional legibility. The ref 150.573 F utilizes the cal. 15 giving this watch the classic opposing crown configuration and time-keeping reliability. Stock # HURC150573F Brand Heuer Style Carrera Model 150.573 F Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Fume "Smoke" Millimeters 39.5 Strap Heuer Flat-Link Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The unique and thick barrel-shaped case is in very impressive condition, retaining crisp sunburst brushing on the top side of the case with signs of light polishing on the sides. The mineral glass crystal is clean, showing no major scratches or dings. The case retains its original fluted pump-pushers and opposing crown signed "Heuer". The case back appears to remain unpolished as it retains its factory brushing. The Heuer flat-link bracelet is superb with no stretch at all and will fit a large wrist size as it retains all of its original 24 links. DIAL & HANDS The metallic Fume dial is a stunning feat of artistic engineering and blends the brown, grey, and silver colorations beautifully in the scalloped finish. The dial itself is in very presentable condition and features a few minor marks that are hard to see with the naked eye due to the finish of the dial. The tritium lume on the dial and hands has taken on a charming yellow/green coloration, under U.V. light inspection the dial lume shows some light degradation and the hands remain perfectly intact. ACCESSORIES

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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