Hi Chris

As is the case with most vintage watches, Autavias usually don't come with box and instruction manual. Sometimes they do come with a box, but they rarely include a manual.

I can understand more why one could want a box, but frankly I can't see why one could need a manual. But then, I guess not everyone is like me - hopefully ;-0

The best place to find these items is Ebay.

Boxes are more easy to find but they cost more than manuals. I have an idea. Why don't you just go to Chuck's site, find the Autavia manual and print it in a color printer. It's not the same as having an original Autavia manual, but it's close.

Link to Autavia Manual

"I feel kind of silly spending $60 or more for a cardboard box."

I feel silly very often when I think about my obsession with watches. But this doesn't stop me to get worse every day. If you feel silly for spending $60 how would you feel if you spent $380 for a nice red box? Yes, there are Autavia boxes that sold for $380 on ebay. Yes, they are better than the box in your link, but then again... with 2 such boxes you buy an Autavia! My point is don't try to rationalize, but at the same time don't follow the market. This means if YOU want to spent 100$ or $500 on a box that's fine, do it. But don't do it just because that's the market price, if you think it's too high. Hope this makes sense.

I think the box in your link (please anyone correct me if I'm wrong) was used in early 80's and probably very late 70's. But for the most part of the 70's decade, Autavias came in the red box. I would say the cardboard box is posterior to your watch.

Regards