Heuer - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Heuer
    Year: 1973
    Reference No: 2446SF
    Case No: 197'795
    Model Name: Solunagraph
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel
    Dimensions: 40mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Over the span of 20 years, Heuer produced a number of chronograph watches, which included a subsidiary tidal register used by sailors, fishermen and hunters. In order to understand how the manufacturer came to produce this collectible and rare timepiece, one must look at the firm’s relationship with the retailer Abercrombie & Fitch. This New York City-based retailer opened in 1892, catering to adventurers and outdoorsmen. They offered high quality equipment for camping, hiking, fishing and other pursuits - a 1919 advertisement proclaimed them as “The Greatest Sporting Goods Store in the World”.
    In a continuing effort to bring exciting novelties to their clientele, Abercrombie & Fitch formed a relationship with the Swiss brand Heuer to make rugged and waterproof chronograph watches. Some models were three register chronographs, while others were more specialized timepieces like the Solunagraph with a moon-time dial. The original iteration of Heuer’s tidal watches was made for Abercrombie & Fitch under the name “Solunar”. The theory behind the model was based on fishermen’s need to know low and high tides, or hunters who wanted to know the favorable time of the day to hunt (major and minor feeding periods). The “Solunar” was not a commercial success, however Heuer decided to incorporate the lunar phase into a chronograph, which became known as the “Seafarer”.
    Over time, numerous models of the “Seafarer” were manufactured and by the 1970’s the outdoor retailer Orvis commissioned their own model named the Solunagraph. While Heuer sold the model through both Abercrombie & Fitch and Orvis, the brand also retailed it under their own brand with the model name Mareographe. The Solunagraph’s valjoux caliber 72 movement is housed in a case with a compressor-type snap on back and sports a black bezel calibrated to 60 minutes for divers. The present lot, from the first series with polished steel hands, is in wonderful overall condition with two round chronograph pushers in the band, with a third push button on the left-side of the case, used to set the moon-time dial. Fitted in an oversized case measuring 40 mm in diameter, it is a wonderful addition to any collection of rare chronographs.

  • Artist Biography

    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.

    View More Works

41

Ref. 2446SF
A very fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with tidal indication, retailed by Orvis

1973
40mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF4,000 - 6,000 
€3,700-5,500
$4,100-6,200

Sold for CHF50,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016