A 1960s Legend: The Autavia Racing Chronograph is Reborn | TAG HEUER

TAG HEUER

Recreated with an edgy vintage feel, based on the original design born as a dashboard instrument.
Recreated with an edgy vintage feel.

TAG Heuer's masterpiece, the "Autavia," makes a comeback this year. Born in 1933 as a dashboard clock and re-emerging as a wristwatch in 1962, this model has been a popular choice for TAG Heuer. The rotating bezel chronograph, conceived by Jack Heuer, not only allows for reading elapsed time but also for tracking a second time zone. It serves its purpose perfectly as a modern, practical timepiece.

Text by TSUCHIDA Takashi (OPENERS)

Why Does a Chronograph Have a Rotating Bezel?

When you hear "rotating bezel," do you immediately think of a diver's watch? Don't jump to conclusions. While a rotating bezel with a unidirectional anti-clockwise mechanism is indeed a characteristic of diver's watches, the Autavia's bezel rotates in both directions. The bezel is marked with Arabic numeral indices, not minute markers like those on a diver's watch.

Autavia is a portmanteau of "automobile" and "aviation." It was originally designed for racing car dashboards and aircraft cockpits. The distinctive rotating bezel is perfect for measuring elapsed time using the hour and minute hands. Racers and pilots could easily time events.

As a racing model, its legibility is exceptionally high. Furthermore, its understated design, eschewing excessive color, is truly sophisticated. The contrast between the sharply light-reflecting bar indices and the supporting orange Super-LumiNova creates a modern vintage aesthetic. This clean design work is a superb point that showcases the essence of today's TAG Heuer.

The see-through case back reveals a rotor designed to resemble a steering wheel. The buckle features the old Heuer logo, identical to the one on the dial.

While the exterior embodies a vintage style inspired by 1960s trends, the movement is TAG Heuer's latest in-house Calibre "Heuer 02."

A distinctive feature is how the column wheel is positioned around the periphery of the bridges, allowing the outer edge of the circular rotor to sweep over it. TAG Heuer goes to such lengths to create a sense of dynamism.

Although the lever extending from the column wheel is not visible, this calibre employs a vertical-clutch system. Consequently, chronograph hand jumping is minimized, and the push-button actuation feels light and responsive.

is light and responsive.

Incidentally, the revival of the Autavia was driven by the results of an online popularity poll. The chosen model was the one beloved by the late Austrian F1 driver Jochen Rindt (1942-1970), released in 1966. The black rotating bezel, three big counters with azurage (concentric circles), a robust form emphasizing durability, and excellent legibility are all inherited from this "Rindt" model.

1962 model

1963 model

1964 model

1966 model

1968 model

1972 model

TAG Heuer describes this model as "neo-retro." It's a curious paradox: vintage yet modern. However, on closer reflection, many things around us fit this description. Suits are perhaps the prime example. By subtly updating timeless features, a contemporary feel is created. The Autavia is crafted within this same context.

The modern gentleman is an extension of tradition. The Autavia conveys this message, imbued with a racing spirit, of course.