I'd like to start by wishing all forum readers a happy 2012. I've been absent recently because of travel but have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with the forum upon my return. I look forward to taking from & contributing to the forum in the coming year.

This watch has a been long time coming !
I purchased it in Feb 2010 but had to wait to Dec 2011 to collect it. Yes this may well seem odd but there are extenuating circumstances. I won the watch on ebay Australia and had it sent to my parents house in Melbourne beleiving i would be there shortly after to collect it. My travel plans were altered with the amazing great news that my girlfriend was pregnant and we decided to delay our trip back to Australia until our son was born. Well the delay ended up being much longer than expected but to add to the excitement of a family reunion and introducing my son to his grandparents there was also this woderful old Heuer waiting for me.

There have been some wonderful examples of similar early Valjoux.72 Heuer's show recently on the forum - all of which made me burn to get some photo's down of my own watch and write up a report
- Craig's beautiful copper dial that he seviced http://www.chronocentric.com/forums/heuer/index.cgi?page=1;md=read;id=50067
- Amran's rare black tri-date http://www.chronocentric.com/forums/heuer/index.cgi?page=1;md=read;id=50079
- Jeff's 5 x 2447 photo featuring an early 2447 http://www.chronocentric.com/forums/heuer/index.cgi?page=1;md=read;id=49784
- & most recently of much interest are Shaun's 2 x Ab. & Fitch Valjoux.72's - one of which has an extremely similar dial to my own Heuer version http://www.chronocentric.com/forums/heuer/index.cgi?page=1;md=read;id=50253

This model is first identified in the 1945 catalog http://www.onthedash.com/Guide/_Catalogs/1945_Catalog/?show=page05.jpg
I feel uncomfortable using the 2447 model designation for this model Heuer as that number is most often associated with the Carrera 1st generation and this case does not relate to that as it is 38mm wide w/o crown and has 20mm lugs. The 1st Carrera's are beautiful pieces but their smaller dimensions have always made me uncomfortable, in the past, to wear that size watch. This "Pre -Carrera", however, has straighter, less stylized lugs which accept a 20mm strap and make the watch feel so much larger on the wrist.
When i finally collected this watch it was on a very plain generic 20 mm black strap which i did not like (i'm not a fan of straps that dont taper down to a smaller buckle). The watch has loads of patina and wears its age with grace. I wanted a strap that allowed the watch to show its vintage so i decided to match it with a lizard skin leather stap which i feel is in keeping with the period this watch came out. Speaking of which are there any of the wiser readers here that can help me nail down the year of production ?
The hands are really mesmorizing, if you happen to roll the watch on your wrist and catch the light then its clear to see these are blue steel rather than the black you guess them to be when you look at them head on. This watch has a poly back screw case and round pushers, it relates directly to the model 346 from 1945 but is placed into the early 2447 case. I have guessed it to be anything from 1946 - 53, there really are some gaps in our collective knowledge as regards this period.

The details :
movement number : 451790
inner backcase number : 2913
stamped between the lugs : 67197

This lovely old watch is enjoying a lot of wrist time at the moment. I have a feeling its going to remain a long term favourite too.
Cheers to all - i've missed you guys & i'm glad to be back - Darren