Having gone through a phase of collecting the cushion case Autavias, my Heuer-bug changed direction to the earlier Autavias, and I quickly developed a love of the v72's. The very first Autavias 'Big Subs' are achingly gorgeous, but that comes at a price.. as we know, not only in monetary terms, but in 'needle in a haystack' terms. They seem to have become the ultimate 'catch', and I can see why.

As much as I like them, I still absolutely love the more accessible later models, the Rindt type and later compression cases.. and call me a philistine, but I see them as being just as pleasurable to own. I know the squarer C case isn't popular with some, many preferring as the classic elegant lines of the screwback case.

But for me, the C case is a beautiful watch, from that late 60's/early 70s golden period, has style and tool-watch looks, and comes in a v72 flavour. Heuer prices generally have been discussed over the last few months, as we know, sometimes they are all over the place, many quite high.. but still, to me, it seems that these chronographs are still very accessible, and relatively cheap, when compared to other chronographs from that period. I could happily sell up all my Heuers and keep a couple of the 2446's.

I managed to bag a 2446C 'late' model, with the tramline hour batons and red highlights/chrono hand.. this is a wonderful watch, but I still had a niggle at the back of my mind about the earlier 'monotone' model. I tried, rather unsuccessfully to get Simon (Foxy) to part with his fine 'Abel-ed' example, but he wasn't having any of it! So I put out a WTB, and Jamesy S came to the rescue...

A BIG thanks to Jamey.. he responded, but my 'watch fund piggy bank' was all over the place, as I was mid-changing-cars, so he patiently waiting for me to sell my car, which took some time to sort out. The watch wasn't mint, but nicely cared for and a beautiful patina to the old lume. The MH bezel was a bit knocked about.. but I wasn't bothered, as I had a NOS Tachy bezel that I bagged a while back..

.. now it is a real favourite, I wear it A LOT, and I get a great deal of pleasure from it.. just goes to show that you don't need massively deep pockets to really enjoy a classic Heuer. In fact, it has made me realise that I prefer wearing it over many other I have, mint examples of some of the 'higher end' Heuers. It's a bit like realising that your Maybach isn't half as much fun as the go-cart you have in the garage!! (bad analogy, but you know what I mean).

Another bonus.. the 2446's look great on a wider range of straps/bracelets. Even looks the nuts on a NATO (sorry Nato haters!) or Zulu straps.
So, what's next? Well.. a Heuer signed Mareograph would make me very happy indeed!

Anyway, enough waffle.. here is Jamey's ex 2446C, with the NOS bezel fitted, together with it's stable mates..

2446C early..

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It's later brother...

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and on a NATO...

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Earlier screwback..'Rindt' but with Hour bezel..

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Last of the 2446C GMTs..

Stewart
- Heuerville