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Heuer Montreal (Ref. 110.503) Black Dial 'Cal. 12', 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Heuer Montreal (Ref. 110.503) Black Dial 'Cal. 12', 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.
HURM110503
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (HURM110503)
Catalogue title (original)
1970s Heuer Montreal (Ref. 110.503) Black Dial 'Cal. 12' (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number HURM110503), 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

Founded in 1860 in St-Imier, Switzerland, Heuer remains one of the most respected and beloved vintage brands in the watch world. Having put out iconic models like the Carrera, Autavia, Monaco, and Camaro, the brand's pentagonal logo became a calling card. But they put out a lot of other, equally cool pieces that never got quite the notoriety of their bigger siblings. Case in point, this Montreal ref. 110.503, a short-run reference introduced in 1972. With its larger, more substantial, distinctly '70s case design, it split the difference between those other Heuer references and another popular piece from the '70s - the Mark II Speedmaster. This piece is in incredible condition, with a bright, colorful, highly legible dial and beefy stainless steel case, and the legendary Cal. 12 beating inside. This is a great way to dive into the world of Heuer while still keeping it a little left of the proverbial dial. SPECS Stock # HURM110503 Brand Heuer Style Montreal Model 110.503 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 43 Bracelet Generic Stainless Steel Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The excellent case features factory finishing and crisp lines with minimal evidence of previous polishing and honest wear from use present throughout. The fluted pushers and "Heuer" signed crown remain original to the watch. The case back shows light signs of honest wear. The watch comes on an era-correct aftermarket stainless steel bracelet that shows mild stretch and will fit up to an 8 1/4-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The matte black dial with white sub-dials and grey outer tachymeter is in exceptionally well-preserved condition, displaying almost no signs of age. The sub-dials exhibit nominal age and are in excellent condition. The tritium-topped hour markers retain the original lume which has aged to a very light cream coloration, under UV light inspection the 3 o'clock lume plot is missing which is common for this era and type of dial. The bright red and original tritium-inlaid hands match the dial perfectly and show no degradation when inspected under UV light. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is functioning perfectly and keeping time, previous service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.

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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