Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Apr 28, 2019

LOT 418

HEUER SELF-WINDING PILOT'S CHRONOGRAPH, "AUTAVIA" SO-CALLED "JO SIFFERT"; STAINLESS STEEL

HKD 150,000 - 230,000

CHF 20,000 - 30,000 / USD 20,300 - 30,400

Stainless steel, self-winding, tonneau-shaped, pilot's wristwatch, with screwed glass case-back, revolving graduated bezel and four horological complications: - 1/5 second chronograph (tachometer graduation on the dial to 400 units per hour) - 30-minute recorder (subsidiary dial at 3 o'clock) - 12-hour recorder (subsidiary dial at 9 o'clock) - Date of the month (aperture at 6 o'clock)


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-8

Good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Brand Heuer

Model "Autavia" "Automatic Chronograph", so-called "Jo Siffert"

Reference Ref. 1163

Year circa 1970-1980

Calibre  12 (with left winding crown)

Case No. 245 294

Bracelet stainless steel Heuer bracelet with deployant clasp (by Gay Frères, Geneva)

Caliber 12 (with left winding crown)

Dimensions 47.2 x 42.2 mm.

Signature dial and movement

Accessories original fitted box?additional bracelet

Notes

Siffert, Joseph (1936-1971), Swiss racing driver, so-called Jo Siffert and affectionately known as “Seppi” to his family and friends In 1969, after a round of golf with Paul Blancpain, the pilot administrator, Swiss watchmaker Jack Heuer makes the decision to sponsor his compatriot. From then on, the car racer becomes the ambassador of the watch brand. In exchange for 25 000 Swiss francs, he wears a badge on his jumpsuit, wears a Heuer “Autavia” wristwatch and his car receives a sticker on his bodywork. Thanks to the shooting of the film Le Mans, Jo Siffert will have an exceptional friendship with American actor Steve McQueen (1930- 1980). Unfortunately, the pilot died on October 24, 1971, on the Brands Hatch circuit at Longfield (Kent, England). “Sa vie fut la course, la course fut sa mort” (His life was the race, the race was his death).