2 weeks ago I raised the question if there was ever an Autavia with Valjoux 7740 movement. Today Abel was kind enough to come forward with some interesting information but the posting is now a long way down the list so I though that it would be of general interest to bump it to the top again. Excuse me if I am wrong!

The original posting is here http://chronocentric.com/forums/heuer/index.cgi?md=read;id=59926

.....and here is Abels posting from today:

Dear Peter,

My apologies in the delay of my reply in this matter...but most of you guys know how lazy I can be ;-)

Ha...quite an interesting topic you've pointed out. So...in theory the Valjoux 7740 and 7741 are one and thesame movement, ofcourse with the exception for the 7741 having the GMT complication as an extra. As we can see in the technical manual(s) there are few parts different/extra for the 7741 to enable the GMT function. Strange thing is that also the mainplate is different between these two...well in fact not so strange as the calibre number is stamped in the main plate at the usual position under the balance. So, strictly seen the mainplate of the 7740 and 7741 are 100% identical...once again only with the difference in stamping of the calibre number under the balance wheel...

For comparison...with our well known Heuer caliber 12 and caliber 14 we can make exactly thesame comparison. Mainplates are identical...only some few parts are different between those two and unlike with most other movement calibers....the caliber number with the Heuer Chronomatic is not stamped under the balance wheel but on a seperate bridge...which is very easy to swap...also chronomodule is slightly different as the layer right under the dial is slightly thicker with the GMT...the GMT chronomodules need longer shafts to get high enough at the dial side...I hope you can follow this explanation ;-)

So...I'm sure there is some kind of mixup/error in the building of these "Shaintavia's"...as it is in fact a "regular" 7740...but with the use of a 7741 main plate. Strange indeed...and I never noticed before. I was speaking with Paul Gavin earlier this week and he confirmed me too about the use of a Valjoux 7741 signed movement in the "Shauntavia". So what the reason could be is not clear ofcourse...maybe Valjoux ran out of these 7740 mainplates at some point and Heuer urgently needed them...so they used the "GMT" mainplates instead...maybe...who knows?

The search for an Autavia with an correctly signed 7740 Valjoux must be continued then ;-)

A curious discovery indeed...

Thanks,
abel.

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And here is my original posting:

Hi Movement Specialists

In my quest to build "The Autavia Movement Collection" a have several times been puzzled by Valjoux 7740 vs. 7741.

If you look at the Parts Manual as it can be seen on Chucks blog the 7741 is a 7740 “with 12 AND 24 hours devices” = GMT.
- http://chronomaddox.com/valjoux/7740/valjoux_7740.html

But it is generally agreed that there is a 741.603 with Valjoux 7741 - but no GMT device. So should that not be a Valjoux 7740?
- OTD Autavia ref table - http://www.onthedash.com/Guide/Master_Reference.php4#Autavia
- OTD picture archive - http://www.onthedash.com/Guide/_Chronographs/62.Autavia/i.Manual--Later_Style/72.Reference_741603/21Aut741603PG.jpg
- And in the new fantastic book by Richard and Paul (p. 170) - http://www.vintageheuerautavia.com/#/741603/4572257219

In the Autavia book the 7740 is mentioned (p. 13) and in the OTD Autavia ref table there is mentioned an Autavia 74063 with 7740 but I have not been able to find any pictures of a 74063 and if you Google it you get very few hits – none of any use.

I am looking forward to hear what you know about this subject.

Peter, Denmark