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Vintage Heuer Discussion Forum
The place for discussing 1930-1985 Heuer wristwatches, chronographs and dash-mounted timepieces. Online since May 2003. | |||||||
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Based on these postings and some other information that I have received, here are the "steps" that appear to have been taken to produce some of these oversize chronographs:
(1) find a vintage pocket chronograph with an appropriate movement (Valjoux 76 being the ideal); if it is a genuine Heuer pocket chronograph, all the better (as described in step 3) - - - cost should be $200 to $500.
(2) have the dial refinished so that the numbers and markings are rotated 90 degrees (because the crown will be at 3:00 o'clock on the wrist chronograph rather than at 12:00 o'clock on the pocket chronograph); I understand that this can be done in Germany, at a cost in the $100 range
(3) if the "donor" pocket chronograph was not a Heuer, add Heuer marks to the movement; note that many pocket chronographs of the period did not have any "brand" or "logo" marks on the movements
(4) have a high grade steel case produced to house the movement and dial; I have heard that these are being produced in Poland, at a cost in the $400 to $500 range.
so there you have it -- a vintage movement in a shiny new case, with a total cost in the $700 to $1100 range. If you put "Heuer" on the dial and movement, you have produced a "fake" (and broken the law) . . . but this is one explanation of how some of these oversize chronographs are being produced.
let the buyer beware!!
Jeff
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