: The system with the case serial numbers at Heuer is very simple.
: There are no specific Autavia, Carrera, etc. serial numbers,
: only Heuer serial numbers for all models. The cases of all
: models were consecutively numbered according to the production
: time of the case, no matter which model. However, sometimes 1000
: Autavia cases were produced sequentially, then 500 Carrera
: sases, then 200 Dato-Compax cases, etc., so as not to change
: production at every single watch.
: These serial numbers have nothing directly to do with the
: production time, or the assembly of the watchs, but only with
: the production time of the case. Sometimes watches were not
: assembled until years later in older cases from the stock. This
: explains the irregularities of the watches, case 1st series,
: dial 2nd series, etc.

: The cases of the 1. edition Autavias were produced in 1946 for
: screw back Tri-Compaxes or Dato-Compaxes, but they coult not be
: sold in such big quantity direct after the world war, so they
: were in the stock over years, and Heuer used them later for the
: 1. edition of Autavias.

Thank you for you information responses. Someone better at statistics then me would probably be able to say something more signification about sample v population size.

However, I'm still left wonder how without many years of experience of watching the market I understand exactly how rare models really are?