Heuer Autavia 3646 Big Subs Full Lume

The first Autavias were manufactured in 1962. Their unique selling points are the oversized sub-registers and the fully luminous hands and markers. Among the very first versions were the three-register reference 2446 and the reference 3646 you see here. It has two sub-registers and the fully luminous hour marker at 6 o'clock. These so-called Big Subs Autavias are today among the "holy grails" of Vintage Heuer collecting. Less than 10 examples of the reference 3646 are known today.

The watch we have here is not only ultra-rare, it is probably the best preserved example of all known Big Subs Autavias with Two Sub-Registers. Due to its truly incredible condition, we consider this watch to be the counterpart of the famous "World Record Autavia" with three sub-registers, which was sold in 2017 for 195,000€. The Autavia we have here comes from a renowned private collection. This watch is listed on the largest platform for vintage Heuer watches onthedash.com, run by Jeff Stein. Also in the famous book "Heuer Autavia Chronographs 1962 – 1985" by Richard Crosthwaite and Paul Gavin you will find this Autavia 3646.

Condition report
Dial: absolutely perfect matte black finish - clean white subdials with no stains - original radium luminous material can be verified with Geiger counter - 100% intact full lume hands, markers and numerals 12 and 6 - attractive creamy patina in luminous material - signed "SWISS".

Case: stainless steel case with perfectly intact lugs and bevels - deep engravings on the back - intact serial number between the lugs - perfect black rotating bezel with intact lume triangle at 12.

Movement: manual winding caliber Valjoux 92 in perfect working order.

Summing-Up
Based on its condition, this example is the reference watch for First Execution Autavia with two sub-registers. Compared to 2017 prices and taking into account the current vintage watch market, we consider this Autavia to be highly undervalued. The chance to acquire such an exceptional watch happens every X years. If you are looking for a Full Lume Autavia First Execution, you should not hesitate long with this watch.

Serial number: 48842

Int.Exe.: 2116269