Year of production (circa)
1971
Warranty
2 year (AWCo)
Brand
Heuer
SOLD
Heuer Autavia GMT 1163 Tropical
AUTomotive and AVIAtion, these are the bases for the Heuer Autavia’s existence.
Many people know the brand TagHeuer, a brand sponsoring the English Premier League and often associated with racing. It’s modern, often big and not as good as in the glory years for those who remember. For those who don’t remember, until the 1980s Heuer was a really big player in the world of chronograph watches. Heuer was actually the first brand to have an automatic chronograph watch on the market. They’ve designed some pretty legendary watches over the years, and the Autavia might be the best.
The origins of the Heuer Autavia date back all the way to 1933 when Heuer manufactured dashboard clocks for cars, boats and planes with the name Autavia. In 1961 the Autavia was reborn, as a wristwatch by the hand of Jack Heuer, in 1962 the watch was successfully launched to the public. Heuer found it’s ambassadors in the racing sport. Formula 1 drivers like Jo Siffert, Jochen Rindt, Derek Bell, Jacky Ickx, Mario Andretti among many others all wore a Heuer chronograph and because of this Heuer quickly gained an iconic status in the automotive world.
In 1968 Heuer brought the Autavia GMT to the market. This watch was an instant success, but the watch was modified a year later already when Heuer had finished their automatic chronograph movement. This movement was thick and did not fit in the traditional Autavia case, so the new Autavia with reference 1163 got a bigger cushion case.
The first reference of the automatic Autavia GMT would only be produced for 2,5 years, with three different marks. The first few months resulted in the mark I and this mark had a red chronograph hand and a 24 hour bezel with all numbers printed, then mark II; an orange second hand, pointy GMT-hand and a new 24-hour bezel with only even numbers and no tritium pearl, produced for only half a year. The mark 3 with the strange subdials was produced until its successor arrived in 1972.
The first two marks are definitely incredibly rare and sought-after. Finding an all original piece in great condition is becoming more difficult by the day. Therefor we are very pleased to have this MKII Autavia GMT from 1971, and it’s the most pretty from all pieces we’ve come across. The bezel is original, faded and still razor sharp. The dial? Tropical, what was black has simply become a dark chocolate colour, a highly valued characteristic among watch collectors. The case is in super condition and the fluted chronograph pushers even haven’t been replaced. If you’re looking for a vintage GMT, this watch truly ticks all the boxes. A piece almost as beautiful as ours was sold during last Geneva watch auction for over €16.000, proving the value and demand for such a piece. This Heuer is available now.
Contact us by any means for more information or visit our store, we’re located in the Reestraat, Amsterdam.
Year
1971price on request
Contact us
Got your attention?
We’re here to help.
We’re here to help.
All of our vintage watches have been carefully selected for you. Each watch is meticulously inspected on condition and originality. Furthermore, our watches receive a full service by our highly skilled and qualified watchmakers before hitting the store, so you can wear your special find with confidence. A statement we back up with a 2-year warranty.
With over two decades of experience in vintage watches, we have developed an eye for great quality and great stories. Because we believe every vintage watch tells a story through its unique design, history and patina. A vintage watch is a time-traveling device in that sense. A practical item for daily use, that connects us to something bigger than ourselves at the same time. In an age of single-use goods and quick consumption, a mechanical marvel that is designed to last for generations is quite simply a fantastic thing to have in your life.
At AWCo, we are a diverse team of watch experts, each with their own niche interests and expertise. From history buffs to tech geeks and style gurus, we all approach this beautiful passion from different angles. We operate under the mantra that every vintage watch is unique and so is every client. We get a massive thrill out of helping you find that one special watch that perfectly suits your personality, style and budget. To see you staring at your wrist with a big smile on your face, is what we get out of bed for.
So if you like what you are seeing here, give us a visit, a call or a message via email or Whatsapp. We are looking forward to helping you discover whether this is the watch for you or your loved one.
At AWCo we put the safety of our shipments upfront at all times. Therefore, we ship all our packages insured.
We strive to promptly handle packages to minimize delays. Delivery times begin from the day of dispatch. While we make every effort to ensure smooth delivery, we cannot be held responsible for delays caused by destination customs, local duties, taxes, or lost items during transit.
Certainly, we understand that overloaded mail-order companies can also contribute to potential delays in the delivery process. Despite our best efforts, external factors beyond our control may affect shipping times. Rest assured, we remain committed to providing timely service and will work diligently to ensure your order reaches you as promptly as possible. For any inquiries or updates, feel free to reach out to us at info@awco.nl. Your satisfaction is our priority.
Dear Watch enthusiast,
Watch straps and accessoiries can only be orderd within the Netherlands.
We are sorry for the inconvenience.