Jean-Christophe:

For many of us, the Caliber 12 / Chronomatic movement is the heart and soul of our collections. Yes, we admire the Valjoux 72 and 92 from the golden age; and, yes, the Lemania 5100 powers some strong, legible chronographs; but it the Caliber 11 / 12 / 14 / 15 is the motor for our beloved Autavias, Monacos, Silverstones, Carreras and Cortinas, among others.

So when -- referring to the Caliber 11 -- you use the phrase, "we have that movement running", I begin to get the e-mail messages, asking whether TAG-Heuer might have some of the original Caliber 11 / 12 movements, or whether it is the modern version Caliber 11 (as in the re-issue of the Autavia).

Let me show you a watch that I purchased in December 2007, and give you the quick version of the story. The watch is the Guinand Buren 12 Chronomatic, offered in a limited edition of 100 pieces. Helmut Sinn obtained approximately 200 of the original Caliber 12 movements some years ago. Working with Horst Hassler, at Mr. Sinn's new brand (Guinand), they designed the Buren 12 Chronomatic, with its display back to show this beautiful movement.

I purchased one of these chronographs, with the lucky serial number "11" . . . the first new chronograph that I have ever purchased. A few thoughts on the watch:

• This is a great looking watch. I wear a lot of watches over the course of a month or year, and can certify that this one draws as many "thumbs up" remarks as anything in my collection. It is big and purposeful looking . . . some cars look like they want to go fast (for example, the Porsche 928) . . . this watch looks like it is ready for action / built for the task!

• This chronograph is a perfect homage to the Caliber 12 movement. It is rock solid / built like a tank. Like the Caliber 12 movement itself, it is pragmatic and utilitarian. Not the classic design of the El Primero movement, and not the heritage of the legendary Valjoux 72, but to my eye, this watch is a perfect way to display the Caliber 12 movement.

• For me, it was a shame that TAG-Heuer did not go with this sort of design for the re-issue of the Autavia. For me, the defining characteristic if the Autavia is the rotating bezel, on a bullet-proof case, and this Guinand delivers on those elements. If Heuer had done something like this, offering the traditional black version and the beautiful white / blue "Siffert" version, I believe that it would have been a blow-out and built fantastic goodwill for the Autavia name. Yes, TAG-Heuer re-issued the Autavia in 2003, but many of the vintage guys wish that it had looked and acted more like this Guinand -- 12 hour capacity, with rotating bezel.