Hello, I have a Heuer Autavia, white (or cream), with orange handles, supposely Orange Boy, where can I find the Serial Numbers ?

Regards

Klaus

: 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

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