Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy 2010 and a huge thank you to Jeff and all the old and new members who’s contributions and knowledge make this site what it is – the core of the vintage Heuer world.

Its almost 1 year sine I purchased my first Heuer watch. It was a Carrera 12 ref: 2447 S. I received purchase number 61 (90% of which are Heuers) just before Christmas, an Autavia 11630 GMT. Now that I look back I ask myself: why invest in watches and why pick Heuer over all the other brands, some more famous than others. Well the short answer is: mix passion, knowledge, spare cash and a risk averse attitude and you get somewhere close to an answer.

Like many before me, it all started when I was researching my Grandfathers watch – a fairly rare Jaeger Le Coultre Geomatic E399 in stainless steel. Whilst trawling the internet I viewed hundreds of watches and over time I was drawn to an Omega Seamaster chronograph with 3 registers. Then I saw a picture of the Carrera 12 and the passion was born. It wasn’t long before I found OnTheDash. This amazing resource of catalogues, photographs, tables, price guide and discussion forum gave me the education I needed to invest with confidence. With some cash stagnating in the bank I spent the last 12 months building a collection of vintage Heuer watches. I justified my decision by the fact that it was a buyers market and that the return was sure to beat the bank. At least that’s what I told myself (and my wife) on a regular basis.

It’s certainly not all about the investment. I have always admired and appreciated aesthetically beautiful things: art, architecture and design in all its forms. Watches have always been a part of that appreciation. For me, the Vintage Heuer watches from the 1960’s onwards embody everything I look for in an material object: innovation, quality and shear beauty. In my opinion, no other watch brand comes close. After not wearing a watch for the last 10 years I am now spoilt for choice. I wear almost all of them, some more than other and I am still looking, granted with a more refined brief, to add to the collection. I feel more confident than ever about the future of the brand and I am sure 2010 will prove to be anther fascinating year for vintage Heuer watches. Finally, a special thanks to Rich, Par, Abel, Nic, Mark and all the other enthusiasts and OTD members who have personally helped me along this past year.

My best wishes
Paul

The First

Something in the middle

The most recent to arrive