The TAG Heuer Autavia “reissue” that launched this year has been a hit, and today a limited edition variant of the timepiece comes out which is intended to celebrate the 85th birthday of Jack Heuer. Today’s TAG has been keen to promote the legacy value of Mr. Jack Heuer as much as possible, and for good reason. The charming former head of TAG Heuer is also part of the original Heuer family that started the brand. In the 1960s, he famously launched the very popular Carrera collection, as well as the first wrist watch version of the Autavia.The major difference in the Jack Heuer Autavia versus the other model is the dial color – which, in this instance, is silver with black-colored sub-dials. While I only have the brand’s images of this watch handy for this article, I have handled and worn this watch a few times and can attest to its desirability. One thing I want to mention is that unlike how the images seem to portray the hands, the dial is for the most part just as legible as on the black-dialed Autavia, if my memory serves me correctly.
The silver-colored dial contrasts very nicely with the black sub-dials, making for a very authentic panda-dial look that I happen to find attractive. In my opinion, it actually edges out the non-limited edition Autavia as being the more attractive of the two – but in reality, they are both good-looking timepieces.
Another difference in the limited edition is the design of the numeral scale in the bi-directional rotating bezel. The non-limited edition Autavia has a 12 hour scale on the bezel, whereas the Jack Heuer model has a more traditional 60 minute counter. Both are on a black anodized aluminum bezel insert. Again, I’ll point out that what would make the Autavia a more perfect watch is a ceramic versus aluminum bezel insert (again, in my opinion). Which of the two bezels is more attractive or useful? That is a good question and really a matter of personal taste. With fewer markers, the 12-hour scale is a bit more on the elegant side. Though, the 60-minute counter is a bit more common, and arguably useful in more situations as a timing device, and also a bit busy with all the markers. I really can’t say that one bezel choice is better than the other – outside of saying that they are merely different.
A somewhat strange design decision in the TAG Heuer Autavia Heuer 02 Jack Heuer replica watch is the choice of caseback. The non-limited edition model had a sapphire crystal display caseback that offered a view of the excellent and nice-to-look-at TAG Heuer Caliber Heuer 02 automatic movement. The Jack Heuer model has a solid caseback, that is engraved with Jack’s family seal and signature. It also says “Jack Heuer 85th Birthday Edition,” as though you needed to attend his birthday party in order to get one. Or does it look as though you are wearing Jack Heuer’s personal watch? I’m not sure… I actually told TAG Heuer that if I get one of these, I’d like to get the caseback of the non-limited edition Autavia and screw it on the Jack Heuer edition – simply because I like looking at the movement so much. What should I do with the Jack heuer signature/seal caseback? Maybe turn it into some type of a pendant?http://www.watches119.co
I’ve been an outspoken fan of the new TAG Heuer Autavia collection, and that includes this Jack Heuer limited edition. I think what makes the story of it that much more interesting is that it wasn’t imagined after the first Autavia “re-issue” from earlier this year, but that it was developed at the same time (and only debuted now). It’s a very handsome and practical high-end sport watch that you can wear on a daily basis. It has enough high-quality guts and provenance to satisfy watch nerds, but it also has a refined look which lends itself well to casual, daily wear for anyone.
Comments
Post a Comment