On the 17th of November 2017 , Jack Heuer celebrated his 85th birthday . To celebrate this , TAG Heuer is launching a limited edition of the famous Autavia . Jack Heuer created the original model back in 1962 and was present at the TAG Heuer manufacture ' s workshops to share his expertise and make his " mark " on the model , which dives deep into the story of an icon .
Geneva , Switzerland , 11 November 2017 : The 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 chronograph – the Autavia – to celebrate the 85th birthday of Jack Heuer , the creator of the watch . The number 1 / 1932 of the limited edition will be part of the exceptional timepieces at the auction “ Heuer Parade ” organised by Phillips on the 11th of November in Geneva .
This new reissue , limited to 1932 pieces – in reference to the year of Jack ' s birth – has been designed by Jack Heuer himself . The 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 and a new Heuer-02 calibre proprietary chronograph movement , the latest generation Autavia carries the DNA and aesthetic codes of the original , updated for today ' s market . Its functions are tailored to modern requirements : a self-winding calibre , power reserve of 80 hours , 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 Super-LumiNova ®.
A vintage look updated with touches of modernity , grounded in the real world . Mushroom push buttons , a ridged crown , the Heuer logo and a " grains of rice " steel bracelet for a vintage feel . The studied neo-retro style encompasses the minute track subdivisions , employing the " 1 / 3-2 / 3 " ergonomic rule of the era created by Jack Heuer to enhance legibility and accuracy .
In reference to the Autavia , Jack Heuer said : " 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 !"
Let us return now to the story of the Autavia . 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 .
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 .
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