Heuer. A Very Rare and Early Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with "Tropical" Dial
Heuer. A Very Rare and Early Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with "Tropical" Dial

Signed Heuer, Retailed by Abercrombie & Fitch, Seafarer Model, Ref. 346, Movement No. 752'690, Case No. 80'253, Circa 1952

Details
Heuer. A Very Rare and Early Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with "Tropical" Dial
Signed Heuer, Retailed by Abercrombie & Fitch, Seafarer Model, Ref. 346, Movement No. 752'690, Case No. 80'253, Circa 1952
Movement: Manual, Cal. 71, stamped AXF, 17 jewels
Dial: "Tropical" light brown, luminous Arabic numerals, luminous hands, three subsidiary dials
Case: Stainless steel, screw back, two round buttons in the band, 37.5mm diam.
Strap/Buckle: Associated leather strap, associated stainless steel buckle
Accompanied By: With an Heuer service box
Provenance
Property of the Family of the Original Owner

Lot Essay

Heuer introduced the Seafarer in the early 1950s and the present example is one of the first of many versions that were produced. The earliest models can be distinguished by their oversized registers. The syringe-style hands are unique to the early model, as well. The register at 9 o'clock displays a colorful tide disc inside an 180 degree aperture. The chronograph minute recorder at 9 o'clock has two blue segments. The hands are very different too, with pin like ends that are not seen on later models. In addition the caliber was a modified version of Valjoux 71.

The present example is a very rare opportunity for a collector to own the famous Seafarer, the earliest version that was ever made that is furthermore aged in a most pleasing way, reflecting the life the watch has lived in Brazil since its original purchase by a gentleman in New York in the early 1950s. The watch is now property of the grandchild of the original owner and has been worn no more than a few times over the past 25 years, with it residing in a safe place ever since.

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