Heuer Autavia 'Viceroy' - Ref. 1163
Straight Facts
While the Carrera gets all the attention - the Heuer Autavia is actually the ‘OG’ Heuer. A combination of ‘Automotive’ and ‘Aviation’ - the Autavia line originally started as dash mounted rally timers made for motorsport and aviation applications. It was not until the early 1960s that first Autavia wrist chronographs came around. The first generation Autvaia - known as the 2446 - used screw in cases with Valjoux 72 movements - while the second generation case with used a snap-back case or ‘Compressor’ Case - hence the model shift to 2446C. This watch, however, comes from one of the models most iconic series - the Third Generation ‘Cushion Case’ Autavia, which was the first to get Heuer’s Cal 11 automatic winding chronograph movement.,
Not only does the present example use the iconic Cushion Case - but this is also one of the most fascinating back stories of any watch ever. This was the watch that SAVED Heuer. You read that right. During the 1960s Heuer cemented its reputation with auto racing - and cigarette brand Viceroy came to them seeking a collaboration on a seven-month promotional offer: anyone who bought 10 packs of cigarettes were to be extended a special price of $88 for its Autavia chronograph - which was typically a $200 watch! As is still the case, cigarette brands have incredible marketing reach and budgets - and could bring the Heuer brand to an entirely new segment of the American market.
On Heuer’s end of the bargain was the Autavia ref. 1163V model. The brand based the model on the standard Autavia ref. 1163, which featured red painted hands and 12 numerals in the left register. It was typically fitted with a tachymeter bezel, but this present example is fitted with a bezel featuring both hour and minute markers. It was not uncommon for buyers to request a bezel change; many examples of this same reference are seen fitted with this type of bezel. Our friends at HODINKEE wrote an incredible full-length story on this marketing promotion and you can more about it here.
TLDR; this promotion - and this watch - saved Heuer and the present example in virtually new old stock condition is one of the best modern watchmaking (and marketing stories) that can be accessible to anyone at any price!
*Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting.
Watch + Condition Details
Case:
Condition:
Movement:
Bracelet
Shipping, Returns, & Warranty
At Oliver & Clarke, domestic shipping is on us! If you are international and require a quote – please feel free to reach out to us at info@oliverandclarke.com so we can get you squared away.
Returns (accepted within 3 days of initial delivery of your purchase) must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. For payments via Credit Card, a 5% restocking fee will be in place for any returns or cancellations in order to cover our processing fee. Of course, watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.
If you happen to trade a watch with us, which we welcome, trades are final, except of course if the watch is grossly misdescribed or misrepresented.
We back each Oliver & Clarke timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty starting at the date of first delivery. We service or perform necessary maintenance to the extent necessary to all of our watches, unless otherwise noted. All watches are listed and sold running and functioning as intended.
*Please note that due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, these machines may not run as accurately as they did when new, nor will any mechanical timepiece keep time as accurately as a quartz or electronic device.
We do not guarantee water resistance, thus do not warranty against moisture incursion or water damage.
*We also do not recommend deliberate exposure to water or worse - steam!
Our warranty is voided under the following circumstances:
- Internal or external damage caused by an accident, mishandling, abuse, modification, or handling/service performed by a third party individual other than one of our own.
Our warranty is non-transferable.
The Oliver & Clarke Guarantee
Through rigorous vetting of each watch offered, we’re able to guarantee authenticity of our pieces. Ultimately, your satisfaction is our mission, as is helping you get YOUR perfect watch. If you have any questions at all, we will get back to you ASAP.
Each of our timepieces are vetted, evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our experienced team prior to sale. We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise disclosed. We guarantee the authenticity of each watch in perpetuity.
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