
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Heuer Skipper (Ref. 73463) Mk.1 "Manual Wind", 1971
- Maker / attribution
- Heuer (maker)
- Date
- 1971
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- HURSKP73463
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (HURSKP73463)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1971 Heuer Skipper (Ref. 73463) Mk.1 "Manual Wind" (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number HURSKP73463), this is a wristwatch by Heuer, made in Switzerland, dated 1971. 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 Heuer Skipper, a fantastic tool watch produced and built for Regatta races, starring a large, colorful 15-minute counter for tracking the countdown start of a yacht race. The red, white, and blue sub-dial is divided into five-minute sections, each indicating a period in the lead up to a regatta to allow yacht pilots to gain every second advantage possible. The Heuer Skipper can be seen in a handful of variants over a spread of decades but resides as a very low production chronograph model within the Heuer timepiece lineup. Heuer acquired cases from other models for the Skipper since not many were produced. The original "Skippererra" used a Carrera case, and then the compressor-style straight lug Autavia cases were implemented. The last versions of the Heuer Skipper received the cushion-shaped Autavia case. One of the most seldom seen and sought after Heuer Skipper's is the ref. 73463 as the Autavia counterpart it shares a case with also saw very limited production. The ref. 73463 is so desired as it retains the excellent case dimensions as a traditional Autavia however, its use of the Valjoux cal. 7734 movement made for a much thinner and more wearable case design. Stock # HURSKP73463 Brand Heuer Style Skipper Chronograph Model 73463 Serial 263XXX Size Men's Material Stainless Dial Blue Millimeters 41.5 Strap Heuer Gay Freres "Bead Of Rice" Flip-Lock Clasp Bracelet W/ HLF End Pieces CASE & BRACELET The stunning cushion-style case has seen a very light polish in the past and retains strong dimensions with defined chamfers and light signs of previous use. The blue rotating bezel is in exceptional condition, remaining bright blue in coloration with very little wear from use, and retains its tritium pearl at the 12 o'clock location. The case retains its original pump pushers and Heuer signed crown. The Heuer signed Gay Freres "beads of rice" flip-lock clasp bracelet with HLF end pieces retains 18 links that show light stretch from use, which is common for this bracelet style. DIAL & HANDS The colorful matte blue dial is very well preserved, showing no aging or blemishes. The tritium lumed markers have aged to a charming creamy patina and exhibit no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly and display no degradation under U.V. light inspection. 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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