Heuer Autavia ref 11630, Automatic Stainless steel Chronograph with GMT Function in Stainless Steel. Fitted with additional original bracelet and operating manual
Case: Stainless steel snap-on case back; push-down crown; and chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock; rotating "Pepsi" bezel with 24 hour-GMT feature
Dial: Black dial with luminous baton markers and baton red minute and hour hands; Yellow with rectangular tip GMT hand, subsidiary dials in white at 3 and 9 o'clock for 30 minutes and hour counters.
Movement: Automatic winding Heuer caliber 14 movement
Circa: 1970s
Size: 42mm Thickness: 13mm
Comes with original Heuer signed Gay Frères grain-de-riz bracelet and Operating manual.
More about Heuer:
In 1962 Heuer launched the Autavia chronograph, for use in both automotive and aviation (hence "Autavia"). Produced for more than twenty years, the model went through a number of versions. Available in a variety of dial, bezel, and case combinations, this wide range of styles is what makes Heuer so appealing to watch collectors: there's an Autavia for everyone.
Also in the late 60s, the Autavia switched to a 70s-style cushion case to accommodate the new automatic movement, the Caliber 12. A few years later, Heuer launched the Autavia GMT model. As the rotating bezel was already a feature of the Autavia, they added a fourth hand for the 24-hour function. The fourth hand, attached to the center pinion, can't rotate independently of the hour hand; instead, to show a time in a second time zone, the wearer rotates the bezel.
The present watch is an example of a later reference 1163 GMT in the iconic 70s-style case. The movement is the Heuer caliber 14, a modification of the famous caliber 12 that was developed by Heuer in a partnership with Breitling, Buren, and Debois-Depraz. The caliber 14 is almost identical to the caliber 12, taking its high-beat and smooth chronograph function and adding a GMT function. The result is a handsome watch that combines utility and elegance in a unique 1970s package.
