I would be happy to share what makes this NOT a Rindt:

1) This auction is for a Heuer Autavia 2446c. The "c" stands for compressor case, also referred to as snap back case. The Rindt was a 2446 3rd execution screw back case. So just looking at the caseback, you will know immediately that this has a compression case, and not the screw back needed.

2) The lugs on a compression case are also different than the 3rd exec screw backs. Look closely at the photos, and you will be able to see the differences. Also, the lugs on the compression case are 20mm vs the screw backs are 19mm

3) Case size is also slightly different, where the compression case is 40mm and the 3rd exec screw back is 39mm.

4) Bezels between the two are different, when you look at the side teeth.

5) The dial of the Rindt vs this compression case look very similar, but if you look closely, you will notice a few differences. The easiest thing to notice is the 3, 6, 9 markers. The Rindt has a rectangular lume line vs the compression case has lume dots for these three hour markers. The second thing to notice is the size of the 5 minute steel markers, the Rindt's are longer.

6) The serial number is not in the correct range for this to be a 3rd exec screw back. The serial shown is 108551, which no Rindt had a 6 digit serial.

The reason I brought this up and have given attention to it is that at first quick glance, you could easily assume it is a Rindt, just because of the bezel/dial configuration. If you are not intimate with Heuer's, and don't know these small details, you could easily take the seller's word for it, and think you are buying a Rindt, since it looks very similar. I don't like the fact that the seller is being deceptive with this sale, and attempting to pull a fast one on new collectors who is interested in getting into a Heuer, and then later on finding out that they don't have what they thought they bought.

Between the dials looking similar, and this specific compression case Autavia having the rarer Hour (H) bezel, it can easily be taken for a Rindt if you are not that familiar with these early Autavia's. Most people have only seen the compression case with a MH (Minute/Hour) bezel or a Tachy bezel, so this could easily confuse a buyer. Hence why I felt the need to voice my concern and share it with the community, in case anyone was bidding on this piece assuming it was a Rindt.

It's sad to see this, because the watch is actually a nice piece, and has a great rare bezel with it. It would have done very well at auction, if the seller was more accurate about what they were selling, instead of trying to claim that this was one thing, when in reality it was not. They can easily claim that they did not know, but I don't buy that BS, especially when they are selling hundreds of watches on this account, and being in the "watch biz", they know better.

I hope this helps, and I am sure other members can chime in with more details.

Cheers
Carlo

: Can you tell us, why it is not JOCHEN RINDT ?