Meet the New TAG Heuer Autavia
This vintage-inspired TAG Heuer watch was revealed at Baselworld 2017
Meet the New TAG Heuer Autavia
The public spoke and TAG Heuer answered. In 2016, TAG Heuer ran the Autavia Cup, which allowed their fans to vote for their favorite first generation Autavia watch, and the vintage watch that received the most votes would be revived by the brand. Out of the sixteen choices, the Autavia “Rindt” emerged as the winner.
Before we dive in and talk about the 2017 Autavia, we ought to explain a bit about the model’s history. The first Autavia was created in 1962, and it was TAG Heuer’s first sports chronograph wristwatch. The signature feature on every Autavia was the bidirectional rotating bezel. The Autavia remained in production until 1986.
The Autavia’s history is entertwined with the racing world. Autavia ambassadors included some of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of the 1960s and 1970s, including Mario Andretti, Jochen Rindt, Derek Bell, and even Steve McQueen.
The Autavia Rindt earned its name in honor of Jochen Rindt, a famous F1 driver who nearly always was seen with the Autavia on his wrist. Rindt was German, but he drove for Austria, and he was sadly killed in 1970 during a practice run at the Italian Grand Prix. He became the only driver to be posthumously awarded the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship. Rindt earned the championship because his next closest competitor was unable to score the required number of points in the remaining races of the season.
The watch that was worn by Rindt was the Autavia Reference 2446 Mark 3 that was designed in 1966. This watch was powered by the Valjoux 72 caliber, and the watch case measured 39mm.
At Baselworld 2017, TAG Heuer revived this icon and gave it a modern twist. The new Autavia Rindt features the same black and white chronograph counters, classic vintage style, and bidirectional rotating bezel. The brand has even included the old-school Heuer and Autavia logos at 12 o’clock. Buyers have the option of a distressed brown calfskin leather strap or a sixties-inspired 7-row steel “beads of rice” bracelet.
However, this steel polished watch has also been updated to fit current watch trends. The brand increased the diameter from 39mm to 42mm, included a date window at 6 o’clock, and boosted the water resistance to 10 bar. The movement has also received an update: Instead of the Valjoux 72, the watch is powered by the Caliber Heuer 02. This Swiss made self-winding movement is comprised of 168 components and 33 jewels. The movement offers a 75-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28’800 vibrations per hour. Buyers can watch this movement at work through the sapphire crystal caseback.
As for the its features, this TAG Heuer watch offers 30-minute and 12-hour counters for the chronograph, a date window at 6 o'clock, and a running seconds sub-dial. The dial is covered by sapphire glass with a double anti-reflective treatment.
The brown calf skin leather strap version is priced at $5,150 while the stainless steel bracelet version is priced at $5,300.