Heuer Autavia GMT

*HOLIDAY EXCLUSIVE - WAS $23,500 - NOW $21,500* Why We Love It Imagine a waterproof chronograph, housing one of the best mechanical calibres in history, fitted with not only a 24-hour GMT function but also an iconic "Pepsi" bezel and one of the coolest looking  - and most comfortable - bracelets ever made. No, you're not dreaming, you've just visualized one of the coolest Heuers ever made, the Autavia GMT! The watch you're looking at is a fourth execution "C" (compressor) case Autavia, introduced in the late 1960s, and utilizes a modified Valjoux 72 chronograph movement with a second time zone function. It boasts a terrific case with factory finishing and no signs of polishing alongside a nearly pristine reverse-panda dial. Fitted with fluted pushers, signed crown, a lovely faded "Pepsi" bezel, and a highly sought after Gray Freres "Double Grain" rice bead bracelet, its everything a 2446C GMT is supposed to be - which is...well...pretty much everything but the kitchen sink! The Story The Heuer Autavia was born into the automotive world in 1933 as a stopwatch, large steel cases affixed to the interior of race cars, capable of up to 12 hours of continuous timing. A crucial tool for drivers, the Autavia became a race favorite and by the late 1930s was in widespread use. It enjoyed its place on the dashboards of auto racing until 1958 when Heuer introduced the Monte Carlo as its new 12-hour stopwatch. But by 1962, Heuer had re-imaged the Autavia as a wrist-mounted chronograph, the 12-hour timing capability combined with timekeeping. The Reference 2446C GMTs, launched around 1968, would ultimately be produced in four distinct executions, with variations to the dial printing, the sub-register size, the pushers and crown and handsets. Autavia GMTs are rare to begin with, and it takes a certain level of collector-madness to start parsing out those details. Which is, of course, why you're still reading this! But we'd be remiss not to share with you the best resource for all things Heuer on the Web, www.onthedash.com  Have a meander around there and then come on back once you're fully primed for a whole lot of vintage Heuer goodness!