Heuer Autavia 3646 Andretti Tachy

WRIST ICONS brings you a really special example of the Heuer Andretti. This is a rare and unusual variation of the 2^nd execution case and 3rd execution 3646 with tachymeter dial. The reference is called 3646HT. H indicates the hour markings on the bezel. T stands for the tachymeter scale on the dial.

Among the most collectible Heuer models are the so called two register Heuer Andretti and the triple register Rindt . They also made a couple of these with special dials which had a tachymeter scale. It was thought to have been a special order dial, that is the reason why so few are seen today.

Heuer and racing

The Heuer Andretti is considered within the Heuer community as one of the most important references to collect. This watch without the tachymeter scale has been worn by the famous racing driver Mario Andretti during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Collectability

According to many Heuer enthusiasts auction houses and collectors, 15 to 20 copies of this version are known so far. It is believed that this dial was not made in series, but was installed only on a special order. Hence this extreme rarity. They have never made it into the Heuer Catalogs but they can be found on the famous Heuer dial boards as seen on the Heuer Collectors Summit In La Chaux-de-Fonds. More recently as noted by Jeff Stein there are some examples that been put together and came available on the market out of nowhere. This particular watch was once sold by Abel Court to an English collector and now is available to you.

Design

• Dial-notable features include the luminescent accent and raised steel hour markers and applied numerals at "6" and "12". This dial layout is very similar to the 1950's Heuer dial configurations but not found in any period catalogue. It is however present on the famous dial boards at Tag Heuer head quarters at Le Chaux de Fonds. One can recognize the third execution dial by its smaller registers, with applied steel markers; polished steel hands, with luminous inserts. This black dial continues with two white sub registers, but has an outer tachymeter scale on the dial edge (marked from 50 to 200), a different style of plain steel markers, and “triangle” lume plots applied directly to the dial
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• Bezel-The bezel is narrower than the first execution screw-back Autavia and the teeth of the bezel are cut on diagonals, rather than on perpendiculars. On the revolving black bezel, you can see a 12-hour scale. The bezels are marked in hours 1 through 12.

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• Hands- the hour and minute hands are also slightly shorter than on the standard 3rd execution Autavia, due to the minute track being further towards the dial center.
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• The case, movement and other details are the same as the standard 3rd execution above, with serial numbers in the range from 84xxx to 97xxx according to articles at Onthedash.

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Valjoux 92

The watch is powered by Valjoux caliber 92, which is  a hand-winding chronograph movement with an oscillating pinion for engagement, as patented by Heuer. Unusually for Valjoux, it has 7 columns on the wheel used to operate the chronograph function, as on the predecessor Valjoux 77. The dial features a 30 or 45 minute chronograph register at 3:00 and small seconds at 9:00.

Condition:

• This stunning example of the Heuer 3646 Autavia Tachy has just been completely serviced by our watchmaker.
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• Case: the case is in excellent condition. The case has most likely never been polished or only lightly with superficial scratches throughout. This example, has perfect lines going through. This 3646 has its polished finish on the top, polished sides and thick bevels throughout. When you examine the case you will see that the lugs are sharp and  thick, and the side profile is as it should be.. It has a slight shine/polish look to it from what I think is many years of wearing. The bevels on the lugs are polished. The unique reference number is also visible between the lugs and the case comes with the original Heuer signed crown.
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• Dial and hands: similarly to the case, the reversed panda dial is in very good condition, the matte black base of the dial has a really nice warm patina with a kind of brown color which you can only see in the sunlight. The large two-tone dial is silvered with applied polished steel markers (no ridges), no indexes at 3,9, two subsidiary engine-turned white dials for the second and 45-minute registers which have also been very well preserved. The hands are the original “short” hands which are specific to watches with tachy dial. The non re-painted white chronograph hand is perfect. The luminous material of the dial and hands is all consistent when using an UV flash light.
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• Movement: the watch carries the above-mentioned Valjoux Caliber 92. the mechanical movement is rhodium plated, has 17 jewels, a straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating blued steel, flat balance spring, column wheel chronograph. It beats with a frequency of 18000 amplitude/hour and has power reserve of 39 hours.. The movement is clean, and during the time of testing the watch was fully functional. The movement has just been serviced by our watchmaker.
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• Bracelet: this watch comes with a new perforated rally strap.

Overall, the exceptional finishing of the Heuer 3646 Autavia Tachy is noteworthy, both for its design and execution. This steel Heuer 3646 Autavia Tachy is remarkably well preserved.

As with all of our pre-owned watches this watch comes with a full 12 month WRIST ICONS warranty that will be invoked from the day of purchase. Please check our website to have a look at the high resolution pictures on a macro level. You will see every detail at its best. Viewings can be arranged at our office by appointment.

Specifications