One of the main issues that I believe effects Heuer collecting is the complex nature of the references. You only have to start counting the dial, case, movement variations on the Carrera and Autavia to quickly get to the point where you have lost count ;) This complication is one of the fascinations about collecting Heuer that makes it unique, and totally different to the Rolex Daytona or Speedmaster for example. However I do believe that only the core collectors really understand the difference between a very special watch and one that is just average in the world of Heuer. For example the market is quick and right to praise the beauty of a perfect condition Autavia 2446 1st execution with steel dauphine hands, which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful chronographs ever made and an equal of the 2915 Speedmaster. However even this watch can appear more ordinary versus the earliest All Lume hand versions which is according to my serial database at least 8 times rarer. Also the difference in price between a Carrera 2447SN and a 2447S is not just down to the beauty of the panda dial, it is in reality at least 10 times rarer, although how many people know that the 2447SNT or SND is magnitudes rarer still than the 2447SN? How many people who do not own the Carrera book realise that so few Carrera 2447NT exist, I could go on and on. You only need to look at some of the prices dealers offer ordinary Heuers for, to know that they have little understanding of what they are selling. It would be a good thing for some of these dealers to clear the decks of some of this overpriced stock, it would be beneficial to the market going forward.

What I conclude is that in some ways the Heuer market is perhaps still in its infancy when compared to Omega and Rolex, where the market is quite clear on rarity and in turn on values. Perhaps in another 5 years we will see more understanding because in some ways the information available on Heuer is better than on most other brands, with the Autavia, Carrera and Monaco books detailing with precision most of the collector information you could need alongside the still indispensable OnTheDash website. Show me a Rolex resource that matches this level of detail and data transparency and is not just another glorified coffee table book ;) 

Anyhow I digress, this guide edition essentially has seen further falls to "fair" condition watches, and as I have said almost every guide update, this gap between mint condition and "fair" will continue to grow further. Mint condition and to a slightly lesser extent "good" have mostly remained the same, with a few minor adjustments here and there. Watches that do not have the correct parts, like for example a watch which should have shorter scale hands but does not, or a 1960s Carrera that should have black stripe hands but does not (or vice versa) have become harder to sell for market values, as finding the correct parts is a very hard task, rightly the market makes adjustment for this is over and above the considerable time and cost of doing so. The two strongest areas of the market are the top end grail pieces in strong and crucially original condition, which all top watch collectors would like to source and of which there is barely any supply (or desire by collectors to sell) and the "value" end. By "value" I mean good examples of watches at £5000 and under, because at this price point you can still enter the market for a beautiful 50-60 year old vintage watch at less money than a frankly crap modern watch. You pays your money and you makes your choice ;) 

The next guide update will be in May 2019...

PS: I have seen some shocking watches at the last round of auctions, and a shocking level of deceit and/or lack of knowledge, so caveat emptor indeed...The buyers of these watches should do some research, check serial ranges, ask for UV light photos, check the Geiger readings, ask for hi res "normal" untouched pictures and ask specific questions...and if the watch is not as described send it back ;)