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Autavia 2017 -- Some Thoughts

First of all, welcome to our little corner of the world . . . where there has been some discussion of the 2017 Autavia, and I am sure that there will be a lot more, in the run up to the release, next Spring.

Regarding some key characteristics:

  • Most critical for me will be the size of the watch . . . I am hoping for something in the 40 to 41 mm range . . . any larger, and it's difficult to get the vintage feel
  • On the automatic versus manual-wind . . . Personally, I am indifferent. My only hope is that they would not mark the dial "Automatic", as this would hurt my eyes, on a tribute to a 1960s watch
  • I would prefer that there be no date, but if the market demands that watches sold in 2017 must have dates, then I would hope that it is well-executed . . . very quiet / subtle.
  • Using the CH80 movement for the new Autavia will be a Home Run . . . fantastic movement, from what I have read.
I think it's fantastic that Heuer will re-issue the Autavia; even better that they will model the new Autavia after a manual-wind model from the 1960s. Still, I understand that -- in order to be commercially viable -- they may need to use some elements / features that are not ideal for the vintage enthusiasts.

Bottom line -- I will be happier with a slightly compromised new Autavia, than with no re-issue at all!!

Jeff

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

: I have never posted here, and do not own any vintage heuers since I
: have no contacts and am not an expert, just an admirer.

: However, the tag autavia competition to reproduce a classic heuer
: caught my attention, and the winner, a manual wind beauty, was
: encouraging, depending on if the mechanism was not module
: based...

: As part of the recent Philips epic 88 chronograph stainless steel
: auction, there was an interview between hodinkee european
: representative arthur t with Biver and Aurel Bacs, podcast of
: which is available for watching via hodinkee website.

: Not surprisingly, Biver hogged the limelight but did throw out this
: one note of interest:

: The winner of the autavia contest for 2017 will not be a reedition,
: but a "modern interpretation" with, gasp, date and
: automatic mechanism and an "all new mechanism". Of
: course, tag ditched the CH80 movement. Could this be a
: reincarnation of sorts, or something else?

: That is correct, he said it will have a date and will not be a
: manual wind watch.

: I was shocked to hear him say this. Of course, until the watch is
: produced and marketed we will not know what the final product
: will be, but I was extremely disappointed to hear him say this.
: Does anyone on On the Dash have move insider knowledge or
: comments? I would think the community, if it is vocal, could
: potentially change the course of this watch before it goes into
: production, at which point, as it is said, all would be lost.

: I would love to hear what members of this forum say/think about
: this, since I don't know where a "modern" heuer watch
: forum is to post this. Thanks.

Current Position
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