Will the lesser-known Heuers ever become "A-grade" Collectables?

Calibre11 · Nov 14, 2014

In the time that I've been collecting vintage Heuers, there have been several waves of watches becoming "A-graders"- you know, the ones that everyone wants (at the same time).

Phase 1: 70s Autavias all the rage- relatively inexpensive; broad range of colours and case designs
Phase 2: All about the Monaco- big increase in values for 1133B in particular
Phase 3: 60s Premium- first generation Carreras and Autavias command big prices

Sure, we've seen a burst of interest in the Silverstone, which still remains high on the list, but broadly speaking the simplistic phases above cover almost 10 years as Heuers went from undiscovered curiosities to mainstream vintage collectables.

So what happens how? I guess there are two scenarios:

1. New Heuer models makes the jump to A-grade: Montreal? Monza? 1000 Divers?

2. The A-grade remains as it is, and we see a widening gap between the A-graders and the rest.

What do you think is the next wave for collecting?

dc

ucsfgabe · Nov 14, 2014

What are your thoughts on the later 70s-80s models (Skipper and Daytona)?

Calibre11 · Nov 14, 2014

The Skipper values kind of follow the models they were based on- the 1960s Carrera based Skipper is super hot for collectors, as is the early Autavia-based Skipper. In some cases, these 60s model will get a premium.
(Noodia's Skipperera below)

The late 70s/ 80s Skipper is one that I don't see getting to say Siffert Autavia territory, but they are a bit of a cult-watch.

Daytona will stay as it is now I reckon- a nice 70s Heuer with a unique style (and cool name), but I don't see the spark that will make someone chase a Daytona as hard as they do one of the A-grade vintage watches today. Over the last few years Daytona values have bubbled along..but no real change.

There is more info on the Daytona here: http://www.calibre11.com/heuer-daytona-series-overview/

dc

VintageHeuer · Nov 15, 2014

My opinion would be that the A graders are now firmly set, maybe a few may move up (like the 3rd exec screwback Rindt) but by and large we have our holy grails nailed down by popular consent! Cheers Rich
www.heuerpriceguide.com

Calibre11 · Nov 15, 2014

That's my view too Rich. On the whole, I'd be surprised if we see a new model move up...I reckon the next most likely would be the Camaro given the obsession with the 1960s, the overlap with the dials of the Carrera and the fact that it was only on sale for a couple of years.

dc

VintageHeuer · Nov 15, 2014

Not sure Camaro will be A grade but they do look cheap and they could well move up to some degree. I think if anything is to move up substantially it may be pre 60s Heuer, don't ask me which ones specifically, but many of these are beautiful watches and currenty under the radar.

dsio · Nov 15, 2014

I think the Carreras, Autavias and Monacos still have a ways to go up yet, particularly those 60s Carreras, they're not just among the prettiest Heuers, they're among the prettiest chronographs of the era. I'd genuinely prefer to own a series one Valjoux 72 Carrera in excellent condition over a 60s Daytona and given the incredible price gap it makes the Carrera a rather excellent value piece even in today's market.

Some pieces like the Silverstone and Camaro fall into the more interesting and collectible but not necessarily beautiful category which might hold them back a bit.

danomar · Nov 16, 2014

Camaro prices are rising somewhat commensurately with Carrera prices, but I am not convinced they are selling at quoted asking prices. The Valjoux 72 models without tachy scale seem to be holding highest values. It seems that Camaro dials (especially black ones) are less resistant to age than most other Heuers. Nearly all examples I see evidence at least some form of flaking or oxidation. With the above example excluded, of course!

Calibre11 · Nov 16, 2014

I can see the Valjoux 72 models of Carrera/ Camaro start to get a larger premium over the Valjoux 92/ 77XX models- the Rolex Daytona connection helps!

dsio · Nov 16, 2014

D.C
I can see the Valjoux 72 models of Carrera/ Camaro start to get a larger premium over the Valjoux 92/ 77XX models- the Rolex Daytona connection helps!

Mind you while its helping those Heuer models that same Daytona connection is causing a lot of the lesser knowns to be killed off, there's a dealer in QLD that runs ads in newspapers for "Any Generic V72 Chronograph" and breaks them for parts, he's got a nice little pile of Zodiac, Wittnauer and other brand dials left over in his shop.

Calibre11 · Nov 17, 2014

dsio
Mind you while its helping those Heuer models that same Daytona connection is causing a lot of the lesser knowns to be killed off, there's a dealer in QLD that runs ads in newspapers for "Any Generic V72 Chronograph" and breaks them for parts, he's got a nice little pile of Zodiac, Wittnauer and other brand dials left over in his shop.

Really? What a crime.

Littleroger · Nov 17, 2014

V VintageHeuer
My opinion would be that the A graders are now firmly set, maybe a few may move up (like the 3rd exec screwback Rindt) but by and large we have our holy grails nailed down by popular consent! Cheers Rich
www.heuerpriceguide.com

I pretty much agree with Rich here.

I don't see the Silverstone picking up much. Would be nice to have a crystal ball but I reckon the manual Monacos are still undervalued by collectors. As the 1133B market slows, there are still some lovely manuals to be had.

LouS · Nov 17, 2014

dsio
Some pieces like the Silverstone and Camaro fall into the more interesting and collectible but not necessarily beautiful category which might hold them back a bit.

I formally object. The Silverstone is dead sexy. Beautiful dials in one of the most seductive cases out there. But it IS an acquired taste, and that does limit the appeal

dsio · Nov 17, 2014

LouS
I formally object. The Silverstone is dead sexy. Beautiful dials in one of the most seductive cases out there. But it IS an acquired taste, and that does limit the appeal

Well, when I said not beautiful I didn't mean ugly by any means, maybe just that it makes me think a little of a Carrera that's had a forceps delivery where the doctor squeezed slightly harder than he should have. 😁

Calibre11 · Nov 17, 2014

I love the Silverstone- it's my favourite vintage Heuer. But I don't see it gaining much. It's always been one of the more expensive Heuers, but prices not moving that much relative to others.

It's a watch that you either love or hate, same as the Monaco but without the McQueen connection

dsio · Nov 21, 2014

D.C
I love the Silverstone- it's my favourite vintage Heuer. But I don't see it gaining much. It's always been one of the more expensive Heuers, but prices not moving that much relative to others.

It's a watch that you either love or hate, same as the Monaco but without the McQueen connection

I actually remember somewhere seeing a set of three NOS Silverstones photographed, were they yours? It was a black/brown a blue and a burgundy/red all with stickers on the back and dent-free unpolished bezels in barn find condition.

Calibre11 · Nov 21, 2014

All 3? You mean 4! These were mine

I bought two of these as NOS, the red one (which I never wore), and the Blue one for which I bought a second case back that I had converted into a see through back, keeping the original one with the sticker

dsio · Nov 21, 2014

D.C
All 3? You mean 4! These were mine

I bought two of these as NOS, the red one (which I never wore), and the Blue one for which I bought a second case back that I had converted into a see through back, keeping the original one with the sticker

What on earth is that bottom right one?! Is that a Lemania 5100 based version?

Calibre11 · Nov 21, 2014

Exactly. When Lemania owned part of Heuer in 1982-1985, they "encouraged" Heuer to use their designs that they developed and sold to other brands, as a way of ensuring demand for their movements. When Lemania and Piaget sold to TAG, the majority of the L5100 Heuers disappeared overnight.

I like the Lemania Silverstone, but not sure how they chose to use the name as there's not much of a family resemblance!

dsio · Nov 21, 2014

D.C
Exactly. When Lemania owned part of Heuer in 1982-1985, they "encouraged" Heuer to use their designs that they developed and sold to other brands, as a way of ensuring demand for their movements. When Lemania and Piaget sold to TAG, the majority of the L5100 Heuers disappeared overnight.

I like the Lemania Silverstone, but not sure how they chose to use the name as there's not much of a family resemblance!

Didn't actually know about the Lemania connection though I guess it makes a lot of sense given Lemania's many somewhat unsuccessful attempts to market their admittedly quite excellent movements in watches under their own brand, having a brand that was already well known and accepted like Heuer would have been a great opportunity for them.

Having said that, that Lemania dial looks remarkably cluttered and overcomplicated compared to the extremely legible, elegant and clean layout of the earlier generation Silverstones, from the video they mentioned Jack Heuer spent some time studying how to design watches that maximised legibility and minimalism, its quite clear to see in the difference between them that his approach wasn't applied by Lemania.