MTF
[PuristS]
13383
HEUER Collector Summit Report 2 - New Autavia Reveal
The new Autavia Reveal started with a history lesson of the Autavia family by the vintage collectors for the vintage collectors
We learned that the original Autavia was a dashboard instrument for AUTomobiles and AVIAtion.
The TAG Heuer Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds holds some nice examples of the Autavia from 1933, including the watch worn by Porsche racing legend Jo Siffert and Autavia 'Viceroy' variants that get the collectors excited.
Autavia Dash Instrument 
Jo Siffert's Autavia 
Autavia GMT
Our collectors wore different old Autavia watches and some were better examples than in the museum!
It was noted that automatic Autavia wristwatches usually had date displays due to the demands of pilots and racing drivers who travelled across time zones.
Some even had GMT functions and rotating bezels for travel.
Vintage Autavia 
Vintage Autavia 
Vintage Autavia 
Vintage Autavia
TAG Heuer held a competition called the Autavia Cup to glean comments and votes from the enthusiasts before producing the new Heuer Autavia watch AUT001J DXF.
Heuer Autavia Chronographs 1962-85
The Autavias used for the Autavia Cup competition and fantasy designs are shown in the book, Heuer Autavia Chronographs 1962-85, by Richard Crosthwaite and Paul Gavin, who were also at the Heuer Collector Summit.
#HEUERCOLLECTORSUMMIT
For more information about vintage Autavia watches, please check out our friends, OnTheDash website: 'The Collector's Guide to the Heuer Autavia' by Jeff Stein.
Jeff Stein of OnTheDash website and Catherine Eberle-Devaux of TAG Heuer
DESIGN DEPARTMENT
New Autavia Design
We started in the Design department where the new watch AUT001J DXF was conceived and developed.
The photography got a bit hectic at times! 
Frenzy
Design Department 
Design Department 
Design Department
We learned that Heuer respected the old design heritage and motifs by studying old models but propelled the new Autavia into the 21st century
Much care was taken to ensure comfort of the case and bracelet as well as the look of the dial.
Design Department 
Design Department 
Design Department 
Design Department 
Design Department 
Design Department
PROTOTYPE WORKSHOP
Prototype Department
Next, we met these guys in the prototype department, where Paolo and his buddy make most of the components of the prototype watch.
Prototype Department
They have old and new machines to help them cut, mill and make the parts.
Prototype Department
THE REVEAL
New Autavia Reveal
Finally, the Big Reveal and scrum for first photos of the watch; some people didn't make it out unscathed! There is nothing scarier than a pack of watch collectors unleashed on a new watch.....
New Autavia Reveal 
New Autavia Reveal
New Autavia Reveal 
New Autavia Reveal
THE COMPARISON
Autavia New vs Old 
Autavia New vs Old
New Autavia Prototype
New Autavia Prototype
New Autavia Prototype
New Autavia Prototype
TECHNICAL NOTES
What is the Calibre 17?
Calibre 17
TAG Heuer calibre 17 is a version of the ETA 2894-2 released in 1996 and also appeared in the TAG Heuer range the same year. There are two variants of Calibre 17 - a two register chronograph (2894-A2 with running second at 3 o’clock; 30 minute chronograph display at 9 o’clock; date window at 6 o’clock) or a three register Chronograph (ETA 2894-2) that adds a 12-hour display at 6 o’clock.
Calibre 7
The original base model was the ETA 2892 or TAG Heuer Calibre 7. The ETA 2892 appeared in 1975 as an evolution of the Eterna family of movements from the 1940s.
As it is very thin (3.6mm), it is can easily accommodate modules on top.
The revised ETA 2892A2 appeared in 1983 from the conglomerate that we call SWATCH group today. That movement was sold to many brands and you may recognise it as the Omega Calibre 2500.
Calibre 11
From the ETA 2892 also evolved the ETA 2894-2 that with Dubois-Depraz chronograph modules become the TAG Heuer Calibres 11 or 12. Today, TAG Heuer substitute with the Sellita equivalent of the ETA 2894-2 as Sellita was a contract supplier to ETA before.
Calibre 12
New Autavia Prototype
Remember that this is a prototype and many small components have not been finalised. Still it looks a handsome watch and there were wrist shots galore.
For those who worried about the size of the new case, it looks fine even on the skinniest wrists....
New Autavia
Conclusion: I like the new Autavia Chronograph. It's well proportioned and actually is useful in normal life with a 12-H chronograph counter.
Regards,
MTF
READ MORE in subsequent parts of this Report....
CLICK the following links for other parts of HEUER COLLECTOR SUMMIT Report:
HEUER Collector Summit Report 1 - Vintage Collectors and Jack Heuer
HEUER Collector Summit Report 3 - The Factories
HEUER Collector Summit Report 2 - New Autavia Reveal
This is the most tastefully done revamp of an old model
and then they added they date
The solution from TAG Heuer is clever..
Hi Melvyn
It is both YES and NO re-edition
I like it!
Thrid row, second from the left....
You could have been correct except for a vital fact
