: Hello!

: Can anyone help me with this watch? I've had this Heuer for at
: least 30 years and I bought it in Grand Central Terminus.
: However, I don't really know which model it is. Any ideas?
: Many thanks
: Steven

Re:

Hi Steven,

Beautiful piece you have there! What you’ve got is a classic mid-century Heuer chronograph, most likely from the late 1940s or early 1950s.

To answer your question about the model name: back in this era, Heuer didn’t use commercial names like Carrera or Autavia (those only started in the 1960s). In the collector community, this entire generation is affectionately known as "Pre-Carrera" chronographs. Instead of names, they were identified solely by reference numbers.

Based on the steel case with straight lugs, the round pushers, and that gorgeous "bi-compax" dial layout with Arabic numerals, it is highly likely to be a Ref. 2403 (often powered by a Landeron movement) or a variation of the Ref. 346 / Ref. 2443 family (usually housing a Valjoux movement).

By the way, buying it at Grand Central Terminal 30 years ago makes perfect sense—likely from the iconic Central Watch shop inside the station, which has been a staple for vintage timepieces in NYC for decades!

If you ever have the strap removed, check between the lugs at 12 or 6 o'clock; you might find the 4-digit reference number engraved there, which would confirm the exact model.

Wear it in good health!