Jeff Stein wrote an excellent article on the use of the TACHYMETER bezel. I wrote about the availability and use of the DECOMPRESSION bezel. This article may not necessarily be for the seasoned Veteran collector but more likely for new collectors to make them familiar with these superb time pieces. I shall explain the functionality and practical, everyday application of the many features they offer to enhance TIME KEEPING. These watches are intended to be used as TIMING TOOLS.

The National Bureau of Standards in Boulder Colorado operates and maintains the most accurate timing device in the world. Time signals are transmitted by WWV via Short Wave on 5, 10, 15 1nd 20 Mega Hertz from Ft. Collins, CO. We used this service for many years to synchronize our watches. (You can still do this). However with the inception of the internet and Data Links to aircrafts, this practice became obsolete. The Internet uses the WWV time signal as a reference so your computer or phone has the correct time and you can synchronize and check the accuracy of your watch any time.

The application of BEZELS started in the 1960's with HEUER and the ROLEX GMT. The HEUER AUTAVIA 12 was introduced with a choice of MINUTE (M) OR HOUR (H) bezels mounted on the screw back case with tapered lugs. Also true for the AUTAVIA 45. In 1970, the compression case with angled lugs came on the market. The BEZELS now showed MINUTES AND HOURS (MH). The Tachymeter Bezel was also introduced as alternate choice for the buyer. This Hour/Minute concept was carried over to the Automatics as well on the 1163 and 11630 models. In 1966 I bought the Autavia 12 #2446 (H), in 1968 the Autavia GMT #2446 and in 1970 the Autavia 30 DATO (MH) #7863.

I grew up in Switzerland and accurate time was and still is very important. A train is scheduled to leave at 10:15, it does just that. If you arrive at the station at 10:15 plus 30 seconds, you will see the taillight disappear in the distance. Your watch must be correct on time. When you travel to a different time zone, which we do frequently here in the U.S., we would RESET our watches upon arrival to the new LOCAL time. How do you know that your watch still has the correct time? This is were the rotating HOUR BEZEL is very helpful, simply rotate it to show the time difference and you have HOME time on the watch and LOCAL time indicated by the HOUR hand on the BEZEL. (no resetting of the watch hands).This feature is used by frequent travelers to stay "ON TIME". I have used this for many years on my job.

Now, if you have a 24 HOUR BEZEL you have the additional capability to tell DAY or NIGHT time. I spent 2 years above the Arctic circle were in the winter it is practically dark for 24 hours and in summer, light most of the day. How do you know if it is AM or PM? The time standard is 24 hours for a day. This format is used in the Military, in Aviation and throughout Europe. During my time "up North", my Glycine Airman was of great help. The Glycine Airman is the watch that now offers 3 time zones and is aimed at Military personnel and Pilots since we deal with GMT (Universal Coordinated Time), Home time as well as Local time, which can be several time zones away.
The 24 hour (Day-Night) feature is also present on the Omega Seamaster and the Heuer 1000 series chronographs. Although not in the form of a bezel but by a small Day-Night 24 hour dial at the 9 or 12 o'clock position on the dial. These watches use the Lemania 5100 caliber. (NO time zones or dual time).

The MINUTE BEZEL is an excellent timing device also. On a regular watch without chronograph, the rotating MINUTE Bezel offers an inexpensive way to time events up to one hour. However, a MINUTE BEZEL on a chronograph is redundant since all timing is done with the chronograph function and is more accurate and easier to accomplish.

There are other watches on the market featuring bezels. The one that puzzles me most is the COMPASS ROSE bezel. Unless the watch has a compass needle showing Magnetic North as a reference, this type of bezel is absolutely useless.

One type of bezel is the CALCULATOR which is also available from HEUER in a couple of versions. It is basically a circular, much simplified Slide Rule. It can do a good job within its limitations. Primarily aimed at Pilots but not much used in actual Cockpit work. We use larger, easier to read, specialized computers for calculating fuel burn, ground speed, estimated times of arrival or wind corrections. So the Calculator watch is now more for collectors and a great conversation piece.

One thing to mention about HEUER BEZELS. Early models used friction only to keep their position. The Automatic AUTAVIA cases have rosters to prevent inadvertent rotation of the bezel. They operate in a BI-DIRECTIONAL fashion, i.e. Clock wise and or Counter Clock wise.
Specialized DIVE Watches have 60 minute bezels and incorporate a special ratchet feature that only allows Counter Clockwise rotation of the bezel. This is to protect the diver. Should the bezel be accidently bumped and moved, it can only rotate in one direction and would show LESS BOTTOM time remaining, causing the diver to surface early. A very good safety feature and something to keep in mind when purchasing a " Diver's Watch".

Have you noticed that the HEUER Autavia line, amongst very few others, does NOT have any numbers on their dials. HEUER produces the clearest, uncluttered, easy to read dials, offering good contrast of hands and dials for accurate reading under ALL light conditions. *****
This is the reason why my AUTAVIA GMT has been my timing TOOL for the past 40 years and I am sure will serve well in the future.

I would like to thank Jeff Stein and company for providing this forum so I can pass on my experiences and observations to my fellow Heuer Enthusiasts.
Any comments or questions are appreciated and feedback is always welcome. Best wishes and stay "ON TIME", Heinz Rengel

***** See article in On The Dash : "Why the RED NEEDLES were changed back To BLACK".