Again I bring your attention to the prices quoted being for watch head only, original bands and bracelets are “extras” and on Autavia models bezels must be in very good order to achieve mint values. To this end I have also updated the accessories page. The next update (nine) will now be in March 2015 at the end of the traditionally stronger part of the year. I expect this to show values on the “usual suspects” continuing to grow, as collectors/investors return from their summer break and continue their search for quality.
During 2014 the supply of the most desirable vintage Heuer has been very low (arguably at its lowest ever) and values have continued to see appreciation since the last guide update. The run of the mill or fair condition pieces are not seeing the same level of demand or price increases, and this is no real surprise because it seems to be true on most (if not all) vintage watch brands. Whether it is watches, classic cars, art, people will always gravitate to the most desired items in the best condition available. It could be argued that low interest rates to some degree help fuel the valuation rise in classic vintage objects over the past decade, however the volume of collectors now involved and the fact that the internet fuels this collecting habit by allowing us all to pour over the details and pictures of our obsession, every hour of the day has added to the mix. I also seem to see vintage watches in virtually every men’s magazine or newspaper that I pick up, for example Hodinkee now has a column in a major UK national broadsheet newspaper (The Telegraph). There seems little doubt that the desire to own a vintage watch has almost become “mainstream” and is no longer seen as a niche “anorak” hobby that it might have done 10 years ago. Whilst vintage Heuer may never reach the lofty valuation levels of the rarest vintage Rolex or Patek Philippe, (hundreds of thousands or millions of £) they have their own unique DNA and are the very epitome of 60s and 70s design, with a unique motorsport history attached to them. This along with their rarity (often much harder to track down than the grail Rolex Paul Newman Daytona for example) continues to see new recruits to the vintage Heuer “collector club” each month.
I often get asked what would I see as the very best vintage Heuer pieces to collect, and below is an “ultimate” wish list. Should finances allow and you be lucky enough to have the opportunity to find them this “Top 20” would make an “ultimate” collection. They are not necessarily all my favourite pieces, as aesthetically I’d rather have a 1533G or a 1133G than the std production 1133B Monaco, but in order of collectability I think the list is about right but it is my opinion and no doubt others will have their own lists… I would add as above that condition is paramount, unpolished mint watches are now seldom found and are preferable to polished, but also dial and lume condition are also key to finding the perfect watch. On all vintage brands a 100% unmarked dial is quite rare (just think how many times it might have been removed for service and then easily marked over a 50 year period) and this is especially the case on dials like the 1163 Siffert where the dial seems to be powder coated white paint. These white dials mark very easily and unmarked dials, with a nice patina lume that is original and matches the hands are worth much more than average to good dials and relumed ones. Personally I would always recommend that you had one amazing example of each watch than three to four average examples, and it is true that for every one of those amazing examples there are probably at least 20 average to good examples in the market. The TOP 20 list concentrates on the three main Heuer classic models, Autavia, Carrera and Monaco and is the very cream of the crop featuring A+++ to A collectability grade watches only. Note it does not include rare prototypes, test dials or special edition rare marketing dials (such as Carrera Indy, Cobra etc). Needless to say there are still another 10-20 other top line desirable models that could be added, like the Blue Silverstone, Autavia 1163 Orange Boy, other variants of the 18CT gold Carrera, 1960s Carrera Dato etc etc, but I have confined myself to a “Top 20” to keep it manageable!
The Heuer Top 20 "Most Desirable Vintage Chronographs" list.
Note that list is NOT ranked in order of most significance.
Monaco 1133B Chronomatic
Monaco 74033N PVD
Autavia 2446 1st execution
Autavia 2446 1st Seafarer (screw back case)
Autavia 3646 1st execution
Autavia 3646 3rd execution "Indy"
Autavia 2446 4th execution
Autavia 2446 GMT (early screw-back case)
Autavia 2446 tachy dial
Autavia 2446C SN
Autavia 2446C Mareographe
Autavia 1163T “Siffert” Chronomatic
Autavia 1163MH Chronomatic
Carrera 2447SN
Carrera 2447NS
Carrera 2447 Yachting
Carrera 7754 Skipperera
Carrera 2447 Seafarer
Carrera 1153 Chronomatic
Carrera 1158CHN