:
: Heuer Serial Numbers

: The whole subject of Heuers and serial numbers is a bit of a mess.
: We see that some older chronographs have separate serial numbers
: for the cases and movements; that some chronographs (Caliber 12
: models, for example) have serial numbers on the cases, but not
: the movements; we are told that the serial numbers on various
: models were used by the case-makers, but not by Heuer, so that
: Heuer maintained no records tying the case serial numbers to
: production dates, models, etc. All this leads us to the
: oft-repeated conclusion that serial numbers on Heuer
: chronographs are not useful for the purpose of dating a
: particular watch or for confirming authenticity (in the sense of
: the case and movement having been together, since they left the
: factory).

: Heuer's serial number situation becomes all the more frustrating
: for those who collect vintage Heuers, when we see the lovely
: Rolexes and Omegas (with the dates inside the case-backs and
: tables of serial numbers, including the years of production);
: model numbers are also marked on the cases. Frustration turns to
: anger when we inspect the vintage Seikos and find that -- for a
: $200 watch -- numbers on the case-back indicate the month of
: production, as well as the reference numbers for the watch and
: movement; to add insult to injury (at least for the Heuer
: collector), the dials of the vintage Seikos are marked with the
: reference number for the watch and the movement; of course, the
: reference numbers for the movements are also marked on the
: movements . . . so when you spend $200 to $800 for your vintage
: Seiko, you have a reasonable chance of figuring our whether you
: have a watch that left the factory with its current components
: or whether someone has been making watches from the parts bin.

:
: But let's get back to the Heuers:

: Even though we have authentic Heuer chronographs with no meaningful
: serial numbers, and cases and movements with no reference
: numbers at all, I believe that we can derive some worthwhile
: information from the serial numbers on the movements of
: certain Heuer chronographs, specifically those from the 1940's
: and 1950's. Accordingly, I have begun to compile a table /
: spreadsheet listing serial numbers on the movements of Heuer
: chronographs from 1940's and 1950's. So far, I have entered
: approximately 20 serial numbers, and some of the results are
: interesting (and instructive for collectors evaluating possible
: purchases):
: the serial numbers do not seem to be sequential, by date of
: production [for example, we see Reference 2444 chronographs from
: the early 1960's with 455xxx serial numbers, but the Reference
: 25xx triple calendar chronographs from the 1940's have 500xxx
: serial numbers]

: even though the serial numbers are not used sequentially, over the
: years, there are specific ranges of serial numbers that seem to
: have been used for specific models [for example, all the
: Reference 25xx triple calendar chronographs seem to have a
: 500xxx, 501xxx or 502xxx serial numbers]

: all Heuer chronographs from the 1940's and 1950's should have the
: Heuer logo (and/or Heuer name) and a serial number on the
: movement [so one of the three-register chronographs currently
: listed on ebay seems to have "issues" -- no Heuer logo
: or serial number on the movement]

:
: So What Do We Do Now? The Heuer Serial Number Project!

: I would like to enter a few more serial numbers before publishing a
: first draft of the table. Accordingly, if you have a Heuer
: chronograph from the 1940's, 50's or early 60's, with a Valjoux
: movement, and a serial number marked on the movement (main
: bridge), please send me the following information:
:
: the serial number on the movement
: the date of production, if known (for example, if engraved with a
: date on the back)
: Valjoux reference (23 / 71 / 72 / 72C / 92 / etc.)
: Heuer reference number (Ref. 2444, Ref 2558, Ref 404, etc.)
: materials or other notes (dial color; case material; other
: distinctive features of this sample)
: case number, if marked
: source of information -- your collection, dealer listing, etc.
:
: Of course, it would be absolutely amazing if you can also send
: photos of the movement (showing the serial number) and dial.

: I am not certain exactly how all this information will be stored
: and presented, but I am confident that it will be useful to
: Heuer enthusiasts, who are interested in the chronographs from
: this era. Please post any questions, if it is not clear what we
: are trying to do with this project.

: Thanks for any serial numbers, photos, further information, or
: suggestions for this project!! This project should be fun . . .
: let's see where it leads us!!

: Jeff

:

:

:

: Ed.Heuer movement numbers ( ca. 1939-1964): (not Heuer-Leonidas)

50xxx Heuer 19''' pocket chronograph movement
12xxxx Valjoux 76R
20xxxx Valjoux 69
40xxxx Landeron 13
40xxxx Valjoux 23
41xxxx Valjoux 23
45xxxx Valjoux 72
50xxxx Valjoux 72C
55xxxx Valjoux 88
60xxxx Valjoux 61
70xxxx Valjoux 22
75xxxx Valjoux 71
no number Valjoux 92

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