This very rare, silver dial Heuer Autavia 2446 C from the late 1960s is in excellent condition. The watch features a third-execution dial, with Tritium-filled, matchstick hands.

Perhaps the rarest of the early Heuer Autavias, such first-execution compressor?models?appear to be the only Autavias to have featured a true panda dial design. These silver dials are thought to have?been an early test (circa 1968) for the American market, which never reached serial production. In recent years, these dials have been used to complete a variety of examples, with this configuration believed to best capture the brands sixties spirit and design philosophy.

Whilst this watch would have originally left the factory with a standard, serially-produced dial, the combination of a very rare, prototype variation, matched with a period-appropriate compressor case, bezel and movement, represents an important chapter the history of the brand, having since inspired multiple, contemporary interpretations. In 2017, TAG Heuer released the Autavia Jack Heuer Edition and Autavia Limited Edition for the UAE, featuring lighter-toned dials.

This Heuer Autavia 2446 C, with serial number 108 XXX has a round, stainless steel case and signed, fluted crown. The case measures 40 mm in diameter and is sharp and thick, retaining its definition. The compressor case-back features the Heuer hallmark, 'AUTAVIA' and 'STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH - WATERPROOF - GUARANTEED 330 FT UNDER-WATER' on the outside. The case has straight-line, bevelled lugs and it comes on a Heuer-signed, Gay Frres bracelet and clasp (3/68, HLB end-links).

The case features a black, rotating bezel with a 12-hour graduation and is well preserved. Similarly, the silver dial is in excellent condition, has black minute markers and applied, faceted silver index markers for the hours. The tritium lume on the matchstick handset matches the applied, luminous dots at 3 oclock, 6 oclock and 9 oclock, respectively.

It features a black 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 is black, giving the dial a 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 white stick 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.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look