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Autavia in Need of a Name


OK< fellas . . . we have a little "problem" that we should discuss, in the hope of finding the best solution. The problem relates to the chronograph shown below, in the large (top) photo. The problem is that we do not have a good name for this version of the Autavia; it is not shown in the Index page for the Automatic Autavias; it gets confusing . . . so let's begin the discussion.

Here is the history / question:


  • once upon a time, the black automatic Autavias had the following key features, among others: MH bezel, 3-6-9-12 on the hour recorder, and polished steel hands, with luminous inserts. have a look at the top row of thumb-nails to see the examples. These chronos were sold through the normal retail channels for approximately $200, in the early 1970's.

  • then in approx. 1972, Heuer began to make the "Viceroys", offered by the Viceroy cigarette company for $88 (with some proofs of purchase from cugarettes). The Viceroys had the Tachy bezel; numerals 1-through-12 on the hour recorder; and brushed steel hands with luminous inserts. They were only sold as part of the cigarette company promotion, and not through the normal retailers.

  • The problem that now arises is as foillows: It turns out that retail dealers were offering Autavias that actually combined certain features of the MH and the Viceroy. (a) MH bezel; (b) numerals 1-through-12 on the dial; (c) brushed steel hands; (d) European stainless steel bracelet; and (e) price of approx. $200 through retailers. (See the top / larger photo.)

So the question is "what do we call this chrono?" Is it a final version of the Autavia MH? Is it a variation of the Autavia Viceroy?

I will be interested to hear reactions.

Jeff

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