In 1933 Charles-Edouard Heuer introduced a dashboard timer for automobiles and aeroplanes dubbed the Autavia – a contraction of the words automobile and aviation. Drivers and pilots had difficulty reading the dial and the instrument failed to catch on. Eventually, Jack Heuer decided to turn the Autavia into a wrist chronograph with a rotating bezel – creating one of the most important timepieces in the history of TAG Heuer.
Accented with retro details reminiscent of the original design, the TAG Heuer Autavia Bronze ($3,850.00) updates the timepiece as an automatic chronometer built with 21st-century materials, including bronze for the case, titanium for the case back and black ceramic for the bidirectional turning bezel. The tyre and propeller engraved on the case back is a nod to the watches origins. Inside the 42 mm case is an ultra visible, smokey khaki green or chocolate brown dial highlighted by sword-shaped hands and numerals coated with a white Super-LumiNova treatment for enhanced readability in low light. Over time the bronze cases will develop a distinct, rugged patina for a truly unique, stand out watch.
For availability and retail locations go to tagheuer.com.
