Happy Birthday Jack Heuer!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear Jack Heuer! 

My best wishes for you!

I wish you health, success, luck and fun for your next year! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear Jack Heuer! (l.) Jack Heuer, (r.) Guy Semon

TAG Heuer ‘Autavia’ 

The chronograph made legendary by racing drivers in the 1960s and much coveted on the collectors’ circuit is making its comeback in 2017. Today, TAG Heuer and Jack Heuer, the brand’s Honorary President, are very proud to present a limited edition of the iconic Heuer ‘Autavia’ chronograph to celebrate the 85th birthday of Jack Heuer.  

To celebrate Jack´s birthday TAG Heuer released this chronograph. A reedition of the ‘Autavia’ Jack created in 1962, now in a size of 42 mm …

When talking about the ‘Autavia’, Jack told me: “Alexander, the story of the ‘Autavia’ is a rich drama, full of twists and turns. It is one of my proudest achievements to have successfully converted chronographs into the ‘Autavia’ wristwatch in 1962, so this collection has a special place in my heart: It was the very first timepiece that I designed, and today I am proud to present the last watch that I have created!”

TAG Heuer ‘AUTAVIA Jack Heuer’ from WatchAdvisor on Vimeo.

This reissue, limited to 1932 pieces – in reference to the year of Jack’s birth – has been designed by Jack himself.

The new ‘Autavia’ timepiece is both modern and faithful to its roots, capturing the spirit of golden age motor racing. More imposing than its ancestor – 42 mm in diameter compared to 39 in the 1960s – with a 12-hour graduated bezel.

The latest generation ‘Autavia’ carries the DNA and aesthetic codes of the original, updated for today’s market.

The chronograph is powered by the ‘Heuer-02’ calibre a self-winding calibre, with a power reserve of 80 hours, a date at 6 o’clock, water resistance to 100 metres. In black aluminium, the bidirectional notched bezel encircles a silver dial with three black snailed counters in an optimal layout. A legible, balanced display with hands and applique indexes in steel coated with beige, gorgeous looking Swiss Super-LumiNova.

In 1933, Heuer designed the first dash counter for racing cars and aircraft: the ‘Autavia’ chronograph. The name was a contraction of AUTomobile and AVIAtion – as ingenious an invention as the model’s timekeeping functions.

Three decades later, in 1962, Jack Heuer, the fourth generation head of the company, created his first wrist sports chronograph.

Its innovative signature: a rotating bezel. The ‘Autavia’ name was reborn with this new, complete and extensive range. In the catalogue until 1986, its numerous executions were extremely successful, remaining to this day among the most sought-after collector’s chronographs.

By the way I am sure you remember:

The first reissue of the ‘Autavia’ was presented at Baselworld 2017, following the “Autavia Cup”. From a selection of 16 vintage models, over 50,000 web users voted for their preferred reissue. It was the ‘Autavia Rindt’, worn by legendary F1 driver Jochen Rindt, which won the most votes. I presented this ‘Autavia’ in March this year. If you missed the story, please click here: https://www.watchadvisor.com/news/baselworld-2017-tag-heuer-autavia-heuer-02-chrono-42-mm

Technical Data of Jack´s anniversary chronograph

Reference CBE 2111.BA0687

Movement

in-house manufactured ‘Heuer 02’ – automatic chronograph with date & power reserve of 80 hours 

Case

Diameter 42 mm – in polished steel 
Polished steel horns with 2 facets
Notched black aluminium bezel with hour gradations, bidirectional rotation
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with double anti-reflection coating and fluted steel crown 
Polished steel mushroom push buttons
Steel back with alternative finish, and special engraving

Dial          

Silver sun-ray – Date window at 6 o’clock
3 black snailed counters
– Chronograph minute counter at 3 o’clock
– Chronograph hour counter at 9 o’clock
– Small second counter at 6 o’clock 
Rhodium-plated applique indices, with polished and satin-finished top, with beige Swiss Super-LumiNova highlights
Rhodium-plated hour and minute hands with beige Swiss Super-LumiNova
Rhodium-plated chronograph seconds hand 
‘Heuer’ logo and ‘AUTAVIA’ inscription at 12 o’clock, ‘HEUER-02’ inscription at 6 o’clock

Water-resistance

100 metres

Bracelet

7-row bracelet in polished steel and polished ardillon buckle with Heuer logo