Manufacturer: Heuer Year: Circa 1974 Reference No: 2446C Case No: 145’107 Model Name: Mareographe Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. Valjoux 721, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Gay Frères link bracelet, overall length 210mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Heuer clasp stamped GF and 1.70 Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed.
Catalogue Essay
Heuer has long been associated with some of the finest stainless steel tool watches of the mid 20th-century. Jack Heuer, great grandson of founder Edouard Heuer, was a sports enthusiast and created the brand’s first named chronograph with rotating bezel - the Autavia. It became an icon of the 1960s, especially in motorsports with famed drivers such as Derek Bell, Clay Regazzoni and Jo Siffert sporting the chronograph. 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 brand was not only associated with motorsports, and 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 these collectible and rare timepieces, 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”. The Mareographe was the name used by Heuer for the same watch produced for Abercrombie & Fitch which the latter called the Seafarer. Its name comes from the conjunction of Marée which means tide in French, and Graph which means writing in Greek so literally, this watch presents itself as the tool watch to time the tides. These watches were housed in Carrera reference 2446 cases modified to accommodate the pusher at the 9 o'clock position which is used to advance the tidal indicator. While most of the Seafarer models were retailed by Abercrombie & Fitch or the retailer Orvis, a very small portion of the production was kept by Heuer and sold under its own name. These models are very rare and it is believed there have been fewer than 20 to be offered at auction. Consigned by the family of the original owner who was an avid sailor, the present, fresh-to-market example is in excellent condition with strong case proportions and a well-preserved dial. This is a rare opportunity to own one of these rare iconic chronographs.
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.
Ref. 2446C A rare and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with grey dial, blue tidal indication, and hours/minutes bezel with Gay Frères bracelet
Circa 1974 40mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and clasp signed.