Lot 69
Heuer, Autavia "Orange Boy", Ref. 1163, case no. 243077, circa 1971
Est. CHF 5'000 - 7'000
A fine and attractive, water-resistant, automatic, left-handed, stainless steel tonneau-shaped chronograph wristwatch with date, Gay Frères steel bracelet and presentation box
Fitted with a caliber 12, mechanical, gilt finish, 17 jewels, self-winding
Dial, case and movement signed.
Dim. 42.30 x 47.30 mm. thickness 15.60 mm.
The present rare model, Autavia, is featuring an orange dial accents and hands painted with orange stripes, reason why it has gained the nickname “Orange Boy” among collectors. This Heuer Autavia Ref. 1163 is an attractive sporty vintage watch, preserved in great and original condition, that also have a fantastic vintage 1970s look on the wrist.
Note:
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 aspiration for its rarity and overall original condition. Recently, the model served as the inspiration for the TAG Heuer Autavia Calibre Heuer 02 for HODINKEE.
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.
A collectible Heuer, as well as a great looking 1970s chronograph !
Condition: 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