Heuer Autavia Rindt 2446, Mark 3, Steel

Deriving its name from the combination of the words "AUTOmobile" and "AVIAtion", Heuer Autavia chronograph wristwatches from the 1960s were often found on the wrists of the greatest professional racecar drivers. Much of the cause of Autavia’s cult-like status amongst drivers was the fact that Jack Heuer personally traveled from race-to-race, trading stopwatches, timing equipment and professional racing chronograph wristwatches.

This Heuer Autavia 2446 MK3, with serial number 95 XXX has a round, stainless steel case with large chronograph pushers, along with an original, signed fluted crown. The case measures 38 mm in diameter and is sharp and thick, retaining its definition. The screw-down case back features the Heuer hallmark, 'AUTAVIA' and 'STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH - WATERPROOF - GUARANTEED 300 FT UNDER-WATER' on the outside. The case has straight-line lugs with sharp bevels and comes on a black, leather rally strap and stainless steel Heuer "Sun" buckle.

The case features a black, rotating bezel with a 12-hour graduation and is well preserved. Similarly, the black, Mark 3 dial is in excellent condition, has white minute markers and applied, faceted silver index markers for the hours. The tritium lume on the dial and matchstick handset is well-preserved, with slight discolouration to the minute hand.

It features a white Heuer logo, while 'AUTAVIA' is referenced on the dial at twelve o'clock. A 'SWISS' marking is visible at six o'clock on the twelve-hour sub-register.

The chronograph hand has aged to off-white, giving the dial a nice monochromatic look. The sub-registers at three, six and nine o'clock are the thirty-minute, the twelve-hour and the sub-second dials, respectively, featuring Arabic numerals and black, third-execution hands.

The watch carries the manual-winding, Valjoux Calibre 72 (labeled as "Leonidas") at its heart, beating at 18,000 A/h, with a power reserve of approximately 46 hours.

This Autavia 2446 MK3 represents one of the most celebrated references in Heuer’s history, sported by iconic owners. Highly-coveted by collectors, this example represents the original “Rindt” reference, and thus a special part of Heuer’s history. The exceptional thickness of the case, strong definition of the caseback engraving, aging/completeness of the lumes and original Mark 3 dial exhibit many the characteristics that make Heuer Autavias so collectable.  

Upon his passing, Jochen Rindt became motor racing's only posthumous world champion, having won five of the year's ten Grands Prix. The championship trophy was handed to his widow Nina Rindt, on the 18th of November 1970 in a ceremony near the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Nina Rindt herself is acknowledged in her own right as one of the leading fashion muses of the sixties, and celebrated for her taste in horology, to an almost equal extent.

 Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look

Brand:	Heuer
Model:	Autavia MK3 Ref. 2446
Movement:	mechanical manual-winding Cal. Valjoux 72
Functions:	chronograph, hours, minutes, sub-seconds
Features:	unrestored dial, original lumes
Case:	38 mm stainless steel
Crystal:	plexiglass
Bracelet:	black leather racing strap with steel Heuer tang buckle
Box & papers:	-

The case is in excellent vintage condition, the lugs display clear beveling and minor bumps/grazes (consistent with use). The second execution dial is in excellent condition, without fading on the white minute markers or the Heuer Autavia logo. The tritium lume on the dial and matchstick handset is well-preserved, with slight discolouration to the minute hand. The machined key cut-outs in the case back show no signs of interference, and the trademark Heuer case back engraving shows exceptional definition.