fueled charm and is a watch to suit anyone
with a healthy dose of petrol in their veins.
With its skeletonised manufacture
movement, stripped-back dial and 12-part
43mm modular case, the ‘Heuer-01’ is
a huge departure from the Carrera’s origins
as a traditional racing watch. But under
the sapphire crystal, the piece beats to the
same drum as its predecessors. A polished
ceramic tachymeter bezel, red accents and
chronograph hands and a winding rotor
shaped like a steering wheel are just some
of the references which draw on TAG’s
motorsport DNA. Touchdown.The race is on
In the ’70s film Le Mans, Steve McQueen
wore an Heuer crest on his racing suit and
a square-dial ‘Heuer Monaco’ on his wrist,
catapulting the watch into superstardom.
The blue-faced watch and the blue-eyed
actor have been linked ever since.
King-of-cool credentials aside, vintage
Heuer is such a hot category right now that
Phillips international auction house are
hosting a thematic sale entirely dedicated
to the brand’s classic pieces in November.
The ‘Monaco 1133B’ with its square case
was a benchmark design at the time, but as
one of the first ever wristwatchs with a self-
winding chronograph, it’s also mechanically
important. If you come across one of these
in good condition, bite the Bullitt. You
wouldn’t go far wrong. Not least if you
settle for the updated ‘Monaco Calibre 12
Automatic Chronograph’. n‘MONACO 1133B’THE
BREAKDOWN
‘CONNECTED MODULAR 45
KINGSMAN SPECIAL EDITION’
Who it suits
The modern man of mystery.
Best talking point Specially
selected by Kingsman director
Matthew Vaughn, who sought
a watch that could withstand
tough environments.
Secret weapon At 10:10, the dial
vibrates for 10 seconds and the
film’s K-shaped logo appears.
Price approx. $5000
‘AUTAVIA REF. 2446 MARK 3’
Who it suits
The consummate gent.
Best talking point With its
reverse-panda ‘Mark Three’
dial, it’s a faithful remake of the
original 1966 ‘Autavia’, as made
famous by Formula One legend,
Jochen Rindt.
Secret weapon The vintage
Heuer and Autavia logos at 12
o’clock. Just awesome.
Price $6600
‘CARRERA HEUER-01 43MM’
Who it suits The anti-wallflower.
Best talking point The polished
ceramic tachymeter bezel and
modern 12-part modular case
offers a stark (but undeniably
cool) reinterpretation of Heuer’s
original racing chronograph.
Secret weapon The
skeletonised ‘Heuer 01’ caliber,
visible through the dial.
Price $6850
‘MONACO 1133B’
Who it suits The retro radical.
Best talking point It’s one of
the most recognisable watches
of the 20th century.
Secret weapon Its heritage;
it was one of the first ever
wristwatchs with a self-winding
chronograph.
Price From $10,000‘CARRERA HEUER-01 ’‘CONNECTED MODULAR 45
KINGSMAN SPECIAL EDITION’SOMETIMES SUBTLETY
IS OVERRATED. SOMETIMES
BIG AND BRASH WINS...
THE ‘CARRERA HEUER-01’
OOZES TESTOSTERONE-
FUELED CHARM.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES.