Rich:

As always, you make some excellent points.

As collectors, we have elevated the "Big Subs" Autavias to grail status. These are the dream Autavias . . . we see very few of them in a given year, and chase them / dream of finding one from the original owner / "sock drawer".

In the Autavia Cup, we are seeing different voters. I suspect that many of the voters are seeing this array of early Autavias for the first time, and the voting is as if they walked into a retail store, saw the 16 watches in a display case, and began making choices, one against the other. Most voters are probably not affected by the history / scarcity / acquired taste aspects.

Even if the beloved Big Sub Autavias don't prevail in the Autavia Cup, I will be thrilled to see TAG Heuer produce just about any of the ones that are currently getting the votes. [Top four vote-getters are shown below.] Compare where we are right now, to what TAG Heuer did with the first Autavia re-issue, in 2003, and I like where we are!!

Jeff

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

: I don't really understand the voting preference for the C case ref,
: maybe the appeal is the black on silver dial? However it's a
: "free market" choice so the whatever they choose the
: public is always right! Maybe many of the voters have not
: experienced both in the flesh? Who knows...

: On the dial design, not everyone loves the "Big Subs" and
: dauphine hand design as much as myself (and some of the core
: collectors). It's the first and most desired but like we see
: with Broad Arrow Speedies, perhaps it's an acquired taste. On a
: similar vein, I think more people tend to think the 2998 series
: is a better looking watch than the 2915. However it doesn't stop
: the Broad Arrow being the most desired and most valuable
: reference.

: So long as the final choice is inside a screw back case I don't
: really mind which dial design wins, for me it's more about
: whether they get the details right. The lume, script, style of
: markers, pushers, may seem like small details but if they are
: conceived just ok or perfectly holds the key to whether the
: project is a success or not in my opinion.

: Over the years TAG have had some close efforts, the 1133b Monaco,
: Silverstone and new PVD Monza had/have some real positives, but
: also some lack the cohesive design details that would make them
: really hit the spot.

: R

: :