Heuer Camaro

The Heuer Camaro is without a doubt the underdog of Heuer’s classic motorsports collection. Its unusual squared case design, coupled with the fact that it never received the Chronomatic movements (a horological milestone), ensured that its production run was short. Heuer only showed it in catalogs from 1968-1972, before it was shelved. Surviving examples don’t receive as much attention as its chronograph cousins, the Carrera and the Autavia—from collectors or from the brand itself, who’ve recently reissued the Autavia after it lay dormant for thirty years. However, rather than detract from the Camaro’s desirability, its relative obscurity only increases it in our eyes. It has a distinctive style—as unique as the other "square" Heuer, the Monaco. But the Camaro takes the Monaco’s sharp, beveled edges and thick square case and softens it, giving it a silhouette that’s at once familiar and distinctive. The case of the Camaro is a softened cushion with straight lugs, and it’s thinner (and therefore much more comfortable on the wrist). Wearing larger than its 37mm would suggest, the Camaro is the kind of watch that vastly improves when you actually put it on. It’s so comfortable that you could easily forget that you’re wearing it, until the sunlight catches it just right. Because the variance of finishing on the case—polishing on the sides, brush finishing on the top—makes it visually arresting from any angle. This particular variation is a Reference 7743ST. The brightness of the case is echoed in the silver sunburst dial, which shows some light signs of age in the outer edges, particularly near the 1 o’clock and 5 o’clock markers. The presence of a tachymeter ring gives the watch a sporty feel, perfect for timing hot laps at Lime Rock Park or your favorite local race track.