With the increase in the number of transatlantic flights in the 1960s, airlines began to realize the importance of dual-time wristwatches as an important “tool” for flight crews to keep track of both local and home time. Many brands began to manufacture these watches and Heuer introduced its first Autavia GMT in 1968.
Early examples used screw-back cases, however shortly thereafter, the brand began utilizing snap-back compressor cases made by E. Piquerez SA (EPSA), which tighten as a watch submerges underwater. The reference 2446C GMT is a manual wind, three-register chronograph and was part of these newly-designed timepieces for pilots and jet set glitterati. The 24 hour bi-directional bezel offered clear readability to the wearer with the blue and red sector divided per hour.

The present example is from the fourth execution reference 2446C GMT with brushed steel hands with red luminous inserts and red tips, red chronograph hand, large stepped subsidiary dials with a “Swiss” stamped on the hour register, fluted pushers and signed crown. The watch comes affixed with an original Heuer “double-grains” of rice Gay Freres bracelet. With its second time zone feature, this Autavia GMT is a superb tool watch with outstanding proportions and aesthetics – transporting one to an alluring era when travelling was not just functional but also an adventure in and of itself.