1970 Heuer 'Derek Bell' Autavia Reference 1163
Why This Watch Matters This rare, early Autavia reference 1163 features a beautiful black dial with white registers and red accents. Nicknamed after the legendary British driver Derek Bell, this watch features a color scheme that was used on the later “Viceroy” Autavias. The Full Story Heuer was one of the companies seeking to develop the first automatic chronograph, and as part of a coalition with Breitling, Hamilton, Dubois-Depraz, and Buren, introduced the caliber 11 in 1969. Unlike the Monaco – which was a completely new reference when Heuer introduced it in 1969 – the Autavia reference 1163 was introduced in 1962 as an adaptation of the Carrera, and designed as the true racing chronograph of the family. Featuring a bezel with a large tachymeter scale – perhaps the largest tachymeter scale on a watch at the time – this watch was designed for quick reading of speed and time. It's no wonder that the legendary British driver Derek Bell is said to have picked an Autavia with this color scheme to wear on the Formula One track. This is an early Derek Bell Autavia featuring an hour register with the numerals three, six, nine, and 12, as well as “ridged” steel hour markers – the later “Viceroy” Autavia versions made for the cigarette company had one through 12 in the hour register and painted hour markers. This is a fantastic and rare vintage "Derek Bell" and "Pre-Viceroy" Autavia, whether you'll wear this on the track or in the office. The Fine Print Maker: Heuer Model: Autavia Reference: 1163 Year: Circa 1970 Case No: 143613 Material: Stainless steel Dimensions: 42mm diameter; 15mm thickness Crystal: Plexiglass Lume: Yes, tritium Caliber: Heuer self-winding caliber 11 Bracelet/Strap: Heuer stainless-steel "beads-of-rice" bracelet by Gay Frères, stamped “4 71” with HLD end links Lug Width: 20mm Box/Papers: N/A What we Love and What You Should Know The case is in good condition and is unpolished, with bevels on the lugs. The case has some scratches and wear. The crown appears to be original and is signed “Heuer.” The dial is in beautiful, untouched condition and is an early dial configuration for the reference. The tachymeter bezel insert is original with some scratches. Overall, this is a great vintage Heuer.1336188829771, 1970 Heuer 'Derek Bell' Autavia Reference 1163, Why This Watch Matters This rare, early Autavia reference 1163 features a beautiful black dial with white registers and red accents. Nicknamed after the legendary British driver Derek Bell, this watch features a color scheme that was used on the later “Viceroy” Autavias. The Full Story Heuer was one of the companies seeking to develop the first automatic chronograph, and as part of a coalition with Breitling, Hamilton, Dubois-Depraz, and Buren, introduced the caliber 11 in 1969. Unlike the Monaco – which was a completely new reference when Heuer introduced it in 1969 – the Autavia reference 1163 was introduced in 1962 as an adaptation of the Carrera, and designed as the true racing chronograph of the family. Featuring a bezel with a large tachymeter scale – perhaps the largest tachymeter scale on a watch at the time – this watch was designed for quick reading of speed and time. It's no wonder that the legendary British driver Derek Bell is said to have picked an Autavia with this color scheme to wear on the Formula One track. This is an early Derek Bell Autavia featuring an hour register with the numerals three, six, nine, and 12, as well as “ridged” steel hour markers – the later “Viceroy” Autavia versions made for the cigarette company had one through 12 in the hour register and painted hour markers. This is a fantastic and rare vintage "Derek Bell" and "Pre-Viceroy" Autavia, whether you'll wear this on the track or in the office. The Fine Print Maker: Heuer Model: Autavia Reference: 1163 Year: Circa 1970 Case No: 143613 Material: Stainless steel Dimensions: 42mm diameter; 15mm thickness Crystal: Plexiglass Lume: Yes, tritium Caliber: Heuer self-winding caliber 11 Bracelet/Strap: Heuer stainless-steel "beads-of-rice" bracelet by Gay Frères, stamped “4 71” with HLD end links Lug Width: 20mm Box/Papers: N/A What we Love and What You Should Know The case is in good condition and is unpolished, with bevels on the lugs. The case has some scratches and wear. The crown appears to be original and is signed “Heuer.” The dial is in beautiful, untouched condition and is an early dial configuration for the reference. The tachymeter bezel insert is original with some scratches. Overall, this is a great vintage Heuer., 780000
