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46

Heuer

Ref. 1550SG

Heuer Bund Flyback "3H"

A very rare and attractive stainless steel fly-back chronograph wristwatch issued to the Federal Defence Force of Germany

Estimate
CHF5,000 - 8,000
€4,500 - 7,300
$5,400 - 8,700
CHF11,970
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Heuer
Year
1972
Reference No
1550SG
Case No
6645-12-146-3774
Model Name
Heuer Bund Flyback "3H"
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Manual, cal. 230, 17 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Leather Bund style strap
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel pin buckle
Dimensions
43mm Diameter
Signed
Case and dial signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Luftwaffe handbook from 1972 describing how to operate the timepiece, booklet and commission ticket
Catalogue Essay
Heuer has had a long history of delivering military watches to the air forces of numerous nations. Reference 1550 SG is known to have been made for the German Bundeswehr in the 1970s. Since its conception in 1955 until the late 1990s, the Bundeswehr was known as one of the most organised and prepared army of its time.

This watch was created to be an army pilot’s true companion. The design, dial and case allow for practical visibility, comfort and reliability even throughout the most strenuous of missions. Whilst other watch manufactures opted for an encircled letter "T" for tritium on their dials, Heuer acknowledged the presence of radioactive material through the use of an encircled "3H" at 6 o'clock - this is because hydrogen-3 is the chemical compound for radioactive luminous material. This Heuer 1550 SG, in great overall condition, presents all the characteristics of a military watch with its black dial, large luminous Arabic numerals and lume on the hands which have all aged gracefully. This watch possesses both the flyback chronograph as well as a hacking function.

Heuer

Swiss | 1860
This iconic chronograph manufacturer has a long tradition of precision timekeeping. As early as 1882, founder Edouard Heuer held a patent for a chronograph watch; in 1887, he received a patent for an oscillating pinion, which is still in use today. These specialized timepieces have been at the heart of the firm's success, enabling the brand to be chosen as early timekeepers for the Olympics. In 1969, the company introduced their first automatic chronograph watch, the Monaco Heuer, which celebrated the Monaco Grand Prix. Other key chronograph models include the Autavia and the Carrera, all of which having become iconic models of the firm.
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