TAG Heuer

I do remember the year 1964. I was straight eight years old and for the very first time fascinated by a watch. Not my father's, not my mother's. It was in the mainstreet of our hometown in Germany. Walking around together we stopped at the window of a big watch dealer. Looking around I was kind of mesmerized by a chronograph: one of the very first Heuer Carreras, the version with the red tachymeter scale. Plain, simple, absolutely stunning. Even for an eight year old boy. But at this time out of my reach. In every respect. And my parents? Well, they never had been watch enthusiasts anyways.

Time lapse...

1991, somewhere in the Niederdorf, the old part of Zurich in Switzerland. My wife and I were strolling through the small streets. And while doing that, happy to enjoy a marvellous and sunny day, something stops me. Again. A tiny window this time, full of vintage watches. We turned over to inspect closer what was offered there. Amidst the quite chaotic diplay I had a Déjà-vu: a Heuer Carrera! This time the Beyer labeled version with black scale. Ah, sweet memories! We entered the vintage watches dealer's salesroom, and to make a long story short: I bought this Beyer Carrera.

Time lapse…

2011. I had worn my Heuer a lot of years. From time to time it was sent back to TAG Heuer for revision. Organized by Wempe, one of Francfort's biggest watch dealers. This time again it was to be sent to La Chaux-de-Fonds. Same procedure? More or less yes. But something went terribly wrong. Just about a week later I received a phone call from Wempe. The information was shocking indeed. Somewhere on its way to Switzerland the package with my beloved Carrera and a few more watches had gone lost. I was devastated. A truly uncomfortable situation for both of us, the Wempe team and myself. They told me to be patient until they would have received the complete tracking data of the parcel. A few days later we all were sure: the parcel had been stolen! And then, again a few days later I find a letter in my letterbox from La Chaux-de-Fonds. The TAG Heuer HQ offered to compensate my loss by an adequate Heuer Carrera from the Heuer Museum inventory. They even included a few photos of available Carrera versions from which I should select my favorite. Happy me!

What I show you here with a few unretouched pictures, in a late, warm autumn sunlight, which shows up any microscratches on the watch and details of the during decades battered leather strap is this very special Heuer Carrera 12 Ref. 2447T, first series, early serial number 56xxx, original racing leather strap, used, never polished, but in perfect condition.

Can you imagine how I feel?

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