The Heuer Autavia has captured the hearts and minds of scholars and collectors today. Having launched the Autavia in 1962, Jack Heuer's vision was absolutely ahead of his time, and the striking wristwatch has today become a cult model among the horological community.

The present watch, dubbed "Big Subs" due to its oversized subsidiary registers, features an early 1st execution case and dial with 2nd execution hands. With a serial number of 48'864, it displays all the correct attributes of a reference 3646 manufactured in the infancy of the model's production period.

Most notably featuring a 1st execution dial with luminous markers and numbers, it also displays oversized subsidiary registers with 30 minute counters. It was only later that the reference would display 45 minute subsidiary registers. The 2nd execution hands are not fully applied with radium. Rather, the radium is partially applied, with the steel edges peeking out. The watch most notably features its original bezel with a radium triangle at 12 o'clock. It even retains its original unsigned domed crown. The case is preserved in excellent condition and still retains its bevels.

At the time of production, Heuer chronographs were considered "technical" watches and were bought for everyday wear. As such, many examples were serviced and polished regularly as they were used as tool watches. Surviving examples are thus often quite worn out and are fitted with replacement parts. To find one, in such original and untouched condition is a true anomaly and a real pleasure.