Heuer Camaro

The humble Heuer Camaro has finally attracted the attention of collectors. And for good reason, we might add. With a funky, retro vibe, it exudes '70s style, combined with the functionality of its more famous Heuer racing chronograph brethren, the Autavia, Carrera, and Monaco.  Perhaps the timing of the Camaro's release attributed to its being overshadowed by the other Heuer racing chronographs. It debuted in 1968, just one year before the premier of the Caliber 11--or Chronomatic--automatic movement. The Autavia, Carrera, and Monaco all received the brand-new movement while the Camaro did not, and production of this forgotten model ceased in 1972, making it a relative rarity among Heuer racing chronographs in today's vintage watch market.  But for all this, the Camaro's distinctive style--just as unique as the Monaco--reserves it a place in the pantheon of great Heuer chronographs. Like the Monaco's case, the Camaro's is square, but where the Monaco's is all sharp, beveled edges, the Camaro is a softened cushion with straight lugs. The case is thin, comfortable on the wrist, though like all square cases it wears larger than its 37mm would suggest. While the Camaro was produced in numerous configurations, many people are drawn to the symmetry of the Reference 7743. With two sub registers--running seconds at 9:00 and a 30-minute counter at 3:00-- the 7743 is often seen as the most balanced of the Camaro offerings and feels reminiscent of gauges on a vintage dashboard. Indeed, with its black dial and white printed tachymeter ring and chronograph hands, the 7743NT offers a touch of racing panache to an otherwise down-to-earth motoring chronograph. As with most Camaros, the 7743NT is driven by a Valjoux 7733 manually-wound chronograph unit, a true workhorse movement used extensively throughout the Motorsports heyday. This particular version enjoys an even light fade, giving the dial a lovely 'chocolate' appearance, and the strong case still bears its iconic sunburst factory brushing. The later fluted pushers and Heuer-signed crown round out this lovely piece, making it a very honest (and stunning) example. The Camaro's "big brothers" (the Monaco, Autavia, and Carrera) might have stolen the spotlight in the collector market, but in our opinion, you'd be hard pressed to find a legitimate vintage Motorsports chronograph with more style and charisma. It's the total package: it's distinctive, rare, and has one hell of a heavyweight chronograph movement. With all that going for it, the Camaro definitely deserves your consideration.