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. The Camaro that we have to offer is a Ref. 7220T, featuring a tachymeter on the outer edge of the elegant silver dial. The printing on the dial is crisp, and the luminescent elements on the hour plots and the hands have gained an even patina over time. Also note the presence of the factory finishing on the case, particularly Heuer's trademark sunburst finishing on the front.  And let's not forget it's driven by a Valjoux 72, the same engine that powers the Rolex Daytona, a beautiful silver lining to the fact that this watch never got the Caliber 11. 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 a spot in your collection.