HEUER, AUTAVIA, AUTOMATIC, REF. 1163 , « ORANGE BOY »
ICONEEK price: 12’500.- CHF
Iconeek is proud to introduce here a rare and attractive, water-resistant, stainless steel, automatic chronograph left-handed wristwatch with date by Heuer: The Autavia, Automatic, Ref. 1163 aka « Orange Boy ». Sharing the same reference number, this example is in the same family as other sought-after Heuer Autavia models such as the "Jo Siffert" (see ICONEEK archives) with white dial and contrasting blue accents, and the "Viceroy" with a black dial with red accents (see ICONEEK archives), made famous through the cross-promotion with Viceroy cigarette. The present rare model, Autavia, is featuring orange dial accents and hands painted with orange stripes, raison why it has gained the nickname “Orange Boy” among collectors. This Heuer Autavia 1163 is an attractive sporty vintage watch that has been preserved in a great condition and has a fantastic vintage 1970s look on the wrist.
The model has a three-body construction: a large, robust, polished and brushed, stainless steel, tonneau-shaped case with two round chronograph pushers, a bi-directionnal rotating bezel bearing a 60-minute division as well as 12-hour division, a screwed case back. The inside back is engraved « Heuer-Leonidas SA, Swiss, Stainless Steel ». Under the plexiglass crystal, we find a superb two tone, matte black with applied steel baton numerals with orange accents, two subsidiary silvered dials for the 12-hour register at 9 and the 30-minute register at 3, an aperture for the date at 6, an outer minute/second division, with 5-minute orange index, applied luminous steel Baton indexes, luminous orange-coated hands. Inside is ticking a caliber 12, with gilt finish, blued steel screws, 17 jewels, monometallic balance with flat self-compensating balance spring, shock absorbers. Dial, case and movement are signed. The present rare watch is furthermore accompanied by its original stainless steel Gay Freres bracelet and original endlinks, deployant clasp stamped 3-71, with an approx. overall length of 205 mm. The size between the lugs is 20 mm.
According to scholars, the “Orange Boy” is known in a small number of examples, perhaps less than 20 total, to the market. The orange on the dial and in the hands is reminiscent of the orange used by Gulf Oil in the 1970s and the watch also occasionally receives the nickname the “Gulf” as a result. The bright orange pops against the black dial background and makes it a watch highly-appreciated by collectors. The present Heuer “Orange Boy” Autavia is a collector’s dream for its rarity and overall original condition. It is interesting to notice that
in December 2016, Christie’s, auction house, sold an “Orange Boy” Autavia for $50,000, bearing case number 243034, from 1971, while our watch is very close with case number 243077 and from the same year. Most recently, the model served as the inspiration for the TAG Heuer Autavia Calibre Heuer 02 for HODINKEE.
A collectible Heuer, as well as a great looking 1970s chronograph !
Condition: 8.5/10, in very good overall condition for its age, unrestored condition, all original, with retaining its original steel bracelet.
Brand: Heuer
Model: Autavia « Orange Boy »
Year: 1971
Reference: 1163
Movement no. : -
Case no.: 243077
Material: stainless steel
Dial: two-tone, matte black, silvered registers, aperture for the date, luminous orange hands
Movement: caliber 12, mechanical, gilt finish, 17 jewels
Bracelet: stainless steel Gay Freres engraved 3-71, approx overall length 205 mm.
Functions: date, chronograph, self-winding
Dimensions: 42.30 x 47.30 mm. thickness 15.60 mm.
Water-resistant: no more (yes, originally)
Accessories: fitted presentation box
Ref. ICO: 99-19-34C