I met Mike yesterday evening, and know that his Chronomatic "Siffert" is of great interest to our readers, so here is a brief report on what I saw:

• it is a one-owner watch, having just arrived from the gentleman who bought the watch around 1969/70
• original owner recalls having the watch serviced once, around 10 years ago
• case, dial and hands appear to be all-original
• 12 lume dots are in place on the dial, and seem to be original
• crown has been replaced
• case has been lightly polished
• we did not open the case, but quick date change (starting at 11:45 PM) suggests Cal 11 movement
• the bezel and insert are less jarring "in the metal" than in the photos; insert took a beating when it hit the pavement in motorcycle accident, but the bezel itself seems OK . . . operates / clicks properly, and viewed from the side, you hardly see any damage at all.
• serial number is as it should be, and is one digit away from another one in our database. There seem to be two runs of the Chronomatic Autavias -- one starting at around 141 185 and the second starting around 141 340 . . . this one would be from that second run.

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: I have been lurking for a while after learning of a Heuer my friend owned. He offered it to me after seeing that I had restored a vintage Breitling that belonged to my dad's best friend. I think my friend appreciated that I took the trouble to make a sentimental piece a wearable watch. Craig at Chronodeco did the work on that watch. It's a little small for my taste (the Breitling) so it doesn't get much wrist time - my wife may wear it a little bit from time to time.

Now for the Heuer part which is more interesting to you than some sentimental Breitling from 1965.

Here's the good:

Now the bad (some aftermarket bracelet):

and now for The UGLY - my friend crashed his motorcycle while wearing this watch several years ago. The watch snagged on the pavement and broke his arm. It also did something nasty to the bezel/insert.

I am hoping to have the watch restored and add it to my modest rotation.

Thanks for the education you all provide. I hope to meet Jeff soon, as he and I both live in Atlanta.

Mike