1960s Heuer Autavia Chronograph men's watch

[artslinger]

Hello friends, it's been a long time since my last post. I've had many scores since then, but this is my second best. This watch I scored last weekend at a community sale. It is a beauty, highly collectible, and valuable. Please let me know your thoughts. As always, they are very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[jewelerguy]

cool score! what did you pay for it, if you don't mind?

 

[BennyV]

Nice score

 

[Drmad7]

That’s a beauty! Wow!! You scored huge!!! I sold a vintage Heuer for a few hundred and it wasn’t even a chronograph! That’s a killer score! I’d have it cleaned up (kept original), wear it for a few months or years, and probably end up selling it. Bumping that baby against a door jamb or anything would be too risky.

 

[Oregon Viking]

 

[scaupus]

nice!

 

[pepperj]

Hello friends, it's been a long time since my last post. I've had many scores since then, but this is my second best. This watch I scored last weekend at a community sale. It is a beauty, highly collectible, and valuable. Please let me know your thoughts. As always, they are very much appreciated. Thank you.

Nice store on the watch, and I'm going to assume that you got it at a good price.
Now where to go from here is totally up to you in how you go about bringing this watch back to a sellable or for your own collection.
It needs some major work to the watch face, as in Crystal, Bezel, and possibly even the *dial*.
Here's a couple of examples of what I'm referring to in regards of condition.
This example states major wear: Selling price $12,000.00

Pre-Owned Luxury Watches Tag Heuer Pre-Owned Heuer Autavia Vintage Chronograph | Feldmar Watch Co.

Looking for new and pre-owned luxury watches or watch repair & service in Los Angeles? Check out the Heuer Autavia Vintage Chronograph 105-00818 at Feldmar Watch Company.

feldmarwatch.com

Here is a screen shot of your watch

Total replacement needs to be done for the obvious. Now there's the cheap after market replacement parts and they'll suffice for the average day wearable watch. For a collector they'll be flagged like a bad pair of sneakers.

Now the *Dial*
On the righthand dial there's a brown stain just right of the stem. Oil leakage from the works is possible, and it might come clean with a complete servicing.

The cost of a basic service will be in the $400+ range
Replacement of crystal will be:

Crystal and Bezel Replacement Costs (Parts Only)



[th]
Part

[/th][th]
Type

[/th][th]
Estimated Cost (USD)

[/th][th]
Source

[/th]
[td]Crystal[/td][td]Aftermarket Plexiglass[/td][td]$66 - $78 USD[/td][td]Online suppliers[/td][td][/td]
[td]Original/Genuine Plexiglass[/td][td]~$259 USD[/td][td]Specialist watchmaker[/td][td]Bezel Insert[/td][td]Aftermarket Insert[/td][td]~$75 USD[/td][td]Online suppliers[/td][td][/td]
[td]Original/Genuine Bezel[/td][td]$1,386+ USD[/td][td]Vintage parts dealer[/td]

• Labour for Replacement: The labour for fitting these parts is generally included within the overall complete service cost.

 

[BennyV]

If it was me. I’d do it right. Genuine parts.

The real issue is the stretched out band, but that’s replaceable too.

 

[pepperj]

If it was me. I’d do it right. Genuine parts.

The real issue is the stretched out band, but that’s replaceable too.

Doing the band would raise the overall value of the watch. Though does one do it on the cheap or with original replacement parts?

https://www.chrono24.ca/heuer/partsaccessories--acc.htm

 

[BennyV]

Doing the band would raise the overall value of the watch. Though does one do it on the cheap or with original replacement parts?

https://www.chrono24.ca/heuer/partsaccessories--acc.htm

Original. When it comes to collector pieces they want stock. Any after market parts make the whole watch suspect.

I’ve seen it with Rolex mainly. Swapped out dials, bands, diamonds, and bezels. Brought down the sales price sharply.

 

[pepperj]

Original. When it comes to collector pieces they want stock. Any after market parts make the whole watch suspect.

I’ve seen it with Rolex mainly. Swapped out dials, bands, diamonds, and bezels. Brought down the sales price sharply.

From knowing my brother-in-law's passion regarding pocket watches and watches in general I learnt a bit.
Went to many club meetings, watched him totally take something apart/repair/reassemble it, replace worn looking case parts with original parts.
He could quickly figure it out if something was not original and it had a cheap aftermarket replacement part.
Certainly a gift to have had such a talent.