This Heuer Autavia 1553 from the early 1970s is a charismatic yet highly wearable chronograph – the perfect blend of cool vintage aesthetics and robust engineering. The beautifully preserved black dial, accented with striking orange highlights, exudes a sporty energy: the vibrant hands, the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, and the fine minute markers along the outer edge give the watch its unmistakable character. The layout is further enhanced by a small seconds subdial at 10 o’clock and a date window at 6 o’clock.
The 42 mm stainless steel case remains unpolished and displays honest signs of wear – a clear advantage for enthusiasts who want to wear and enjoy their watch without worrying about every tiny scratch. Its cushion-shaped case ensures a comfortable fit on the wrist and adds to the watch’s distinctive silhouette.
At its heart ticks the reliable Caliber 15, the successor to the famed Chronomatic movement Cal. 11, instantly recognizable to connoisseurs thanks to its asymmetrical dial design.
Few vintage watches embody the golden era of 1970s motorsport like the Autavia. Legends such as Jo Siffert, Clay Regazzoni, Gilles Villeneuve, and Derek Bell wore automatic Autavias during that time – a heritage you can truly feel when wearing it. And let's not forget: the reference 1553 is far from common – a rare find for collectors with a sense for style and history.
Condition report
Dial: immaculate condition – original, intact and matching tritium lume in hands and markers – signed "Heuer Autavia Automatic Chronograph Swiss".
Case: unpolished – slight signs of wear – intact lines and edges – intact numbers between the lugs – original Heuer crown – original fluted chrono pushers – rotating bezel with slight signs of wear.
Movement: Automatic Heuer caliber 15 - values on the timegrapher: rate: -9s/day, amplitude: 242, beat error: 0.0.
Serial number: 243xxx
Int.Exe.: 85940