Hi Jeff

I agree, Heuer would never had constructed (nor would their watchmakers back in the day) this mixture of parts, however I'm in agreement that the other picture you show is how it would have been constructed, if at all. My opinion is that these are test dials (they are definitely original Heuer) and there was no std production run, however it is possible one or more 7763cSN or 2446cSN was constructed as a prototype watch, but doubt we will ever know for sure. I know the story surrounding my 2446cSN, which is that an ex Heuer watchmaker contact found the dial whilst on a visit to Heuer in America, he then put it in a Carrera case where it stayed until it found its way to me. He had never seen another (nor when back home) and he spent much of his working life at Heuer in Switzerland, then Chronoswiss. I have treasured this watch ever since, especially due to the story and this direct to Heuer provenance.

What is fair value on this watch to someone? Well I know that one completed in the manner of the 2446C "series" it could be worth circa £25-30k, so someone will be happy to pay more than $20k for the watch. Whilst getting bezels and hands for vintage Heuers is not easy, these would not be the hardest of hands to source (we're not talking original 1st execution bezels and all lume hands!). You or I may not consider paying such a price for this watch, but I suspect someone will...I do however think the seller would have been better off sourcing those "correct" parts first.

Although I love my 2446cSN I would not put it in the same bracket as a 1st execution Autavia nor for that matter some of the other rarer 1st-4th execution dial screwback case models. The earlier watches are more historically important and the screwback case is (in most collectors eyes) aesthetically far superior to the compressor case versions. So if we have a complete "correct" watch at £25-£30k, the dial makes the watch 10x+ more valuable than the far more common 2446C black dial.

People make there own mind up on what they may be prepared to pay for a watch and can spend their money how they like, but as with all collecting a certain amount of "bragging rights" comes into this, we're always pleased when we find something rare and desirable after all. Vintage watch collecting is about about passion and rarity and desirability are the drivers of value, and you see plenty of Rolex collectors paying $30k for a "Blueberry" 1675 GMT, which if it wasn't for the blue insert (and sometimes all red hand) be an $8k watch.

Will be interesting to see the results!

Cheers
R

Ps I actually think the valuations of the 2446cSN make some of the 1st-4th screwback case Autavia seem cheap, but that's another story...

: Here's my take on the silver-dialed Autavia 2446C, being sold by
: Christie's, December 16, 2015 -- Finishing Heuer's Unfinished
: Project -- Autavia 2446C with Silver Dial .

: Maybe I should have named the posting, "The Beauty and The
: Beast".

: Your thoughts, please?

: Jeff

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