Horological Meandering

This one was one of my ultimate watch dreams come true. I got it a while back. Must have searched ebay 5 whole years, and  every imaginable sales-site--then one day, of course, by accident, found it . I expected it to be SOLD, but incredibly it was not yet gone. I  emailed the seller--SOLD! And he emailed me back saying, "I don't know if I can part with it."  This broke my heart.  I kept pestering him, finally sending him an email saying I wish I'd never seen  your  ad! Please put me out of my misery!  He emailed me back saying I could have it.

I've owned a lot of fancy pants watches, and I love a nice watch, but this one is a holy holy holy grail. It will never be sold.

It is in about 97-98% condition, freshly serviced, running spot on, all original.

It also came with box and original instruction manual, as well as the original unworn strap! And as you can see, the mintiest shiniest, tightest-clasp original Heuer bracelet I've ever seen...

Be still my beating heart...

Thanks for reading.
/M/

Great looking watch and thanks for sharing your story with us!

Cheers,
Anthony

Dear Mostel,

 

The design of this Carrera looks very clean, purposeful and the chronograph subdials very easy to read. Can you share some more history of the watch with us? I don’t know much about these vintage Heuer pieces and I would like to understand more about why this particular watch was such a ‘holy grail’ for you.

 

Congratulations and kind regards,

 

Andrew

I love this kind of stories.
Your watch is beautiful, indeed.
A true piece of the past on your wrist.
Just one question: Will you wear it, as it is NOS?
BTW...A true beauty. I love it!
Nicolas

Always to good to hear a happy story behind a purchase... esp involving a holy grail.
Puts a smile on my face as well. Enjoy yr newly acquired piece and wear it in good health.

... and heartfelt congratulations on 'bagging' the elusive original.

Your magnificent photo serves to point out how faithfully the watch was rendered in the re-issue model of about 10 or 11 (?) years ago, and which was badged as a 'Heuer' for a short period before being re-dialled as Tag Heuer, if I remember correctly. My own photos of that watch are lousy but here is one (silver sub-dials) borrowed from the web - with thanks to the now forgotten donor:

It's still not the genuine item though, is it? Enjoy the real thing for many years to come!

 

Cheers,

pplater.

that much sweeter given the time it took to find it.

A question for you; Do you know what year was it made?

I really like the look of these on the drilled vintage driving straps. 

This is a mid-1960's watch. The illustrious Chuck Maddox would know the details of the details. I do have this watch on a perforated black strap right now, but I'm about to put it on the bracelet. I've got to wear that bracelet!

Some things I know about why this watch made such an impression and continues to do so:

Certainly the re-edition of a decade or so ago introduced this design to a new generation. That re-ed. has a Lemania inside--it's a collector's item in its own right, and an amazing value.

The case design, in the 1960's,  was  thrillingly original. The lugs are Carrera lugs--no other case that I know of has such lugs. It was very modern.

The watch's birth was in racing history, and 'boys' love racing cars and chronographs together to this day.

It has the famed Valjoux 72 inside, which is widely acknowledged as one of the all time great manual wind chrono movements.

And I'll say this, too. The engagement of the chrono function, the feel of the pushers is up there with watches 10 times the price. It amazes me every time I use the chrono.

Then, add in the fact that it's a 'real' chrono with three subdials giving you a chance to time real events--not only 30 minute'ers...

But maybe most of all, I beleieve it comes down to purist design. Design following function. This dial is truly legible, and the subdials are too. It just makes sense.  Every element is harmonious, and minimal, it has a kind of perfection, but of course I feel that way!

Thanks for kind words.

tries to imitate it.  And its size is pure "form follows function."