Daniel Oliver 
The Autavia 60th Anniversary collection include two flyback chronographs and a three-hand GMT model
Since its relaunch in 1962 as a wrist-worn chronograph, next its preliminary introduction in 1933 as a cockpit instrument for vehicles and aircraft, the Autavia has played a very important purpose in the achievement and prominence of the Heuer — now TAG Heuer— brand. Whilst lesser acknowledged than the legendary Carrera and likely considerably less recognizable than the famed Monaco, the Autavia has nevertheless extensive served as one particular of the Swiss chronograph specialist’s hardiest choices, described by action-all set types featuring sturdy circumstance development and outer rotating bezels.
This 12 months, TAG Heuer celebrates the 60th anniversary of the first introduction of the Autavia wristwatch, and as a person would assume is having to pay tribute to it by releasing a sequence of new timepieces. Dubbed the Autavia 60th Anniversary sequence, it’s designed up of a trio of watches, which include two flyback chronographs and a three-hand GMT model the previous duo notably represents the to start with use of a flyback system inside the Autavia line, and the latter, the initial GMT-only view inside of the historical loved ones.
Foremost the celebratory launch is a pair of flyback chronographs, a single in a standard metal situation with a silver and black colorway — a nod to the well known “panda” type, as observed in the classic Ref. 73663 — and the other in a black DLC-coated scenario with a black dial and very luminous accents in homage to TAG Heuer’s past as a supplier to armed forces models, as exemplified by a flyback chronograph look at it issued to the the German Bundeswehr in the 1960s, the Ref. 1550 SG.
Outside the house of the different colour options, the two watches use the same 42-mm case layout, each sporting the modernized Autavia search, complete with a double-knurled crown, screw-down pushers, and the black ceramic, bidirectional rotating bezel that has very long served as the collection’s signature.
A classic-educated type is at participate in on the dial, with particulars like the crown and the distinctly shaped pushers taking inspiration from historic TAG Heuer dashboard timers. Applied, Tremendous-LumiNova-crammed Arabic indices are utilized for the hour positions, with a pair of matching extensive, aviation-design hour and moment palms at the centre. Indented sub-dials on the still left and appropriate facet of the dial punctuate the appear with their chronograph shows, although a subtler small seconds counter with an built-in day window rests to the bottom in parallel to the watch’s different descriptive elements just under the 12 o’clock position.
Inside of the chronograph versions is TAG Heuer’s newest update to its Caliber Heuer 02, with the computerized motion now featuring a chronometer certification by COSC in addition to a flyback performance. The manufacture movement is seen with its fantastic ending and skeletonized rotor by way of a sapphire exhibition caseback.
Rounding out the anniversary sequence is a novel GMT-outfitted timepiece named the TAG Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary GMT 3 Fingers. That includes the identical sharp, 42-mm steel scenario condition as its stopwatch-equipped siblings, this product dispenses with the Autavia’s traditional chronograph pushers for a far more streamlined, easier silhouette. Less complicated, nevertheless, does not imply dull: the double-knurled crown is basically a solo act on the case’s facet and has appropriately been sized larger sized. In the meantime, a blue-and-black ceramic, 24-hour, bidirectional bezel tops the scenario and assists the user in tracking an extra timezone.
Underneath the sapphire crystal lies a blue sunray-brushed dial. Below, utilized Arabic numerals and fingers element a historically motivated form identical to those people observed on the chronographs, although a 6 o’clock date window prominently displays the day and a railroad-observe moment ring occupies the outer border. Touches of orange offer some shiny accents, such as an orange-coloured GMT hand and matching “Autavia” script.
For the very first GMT-only watch inside the venerable Autavia selection, TAG Heuer chosen the Caliber 7 COSC, a reputable movement centered on the ETA 2895-2. As in the flyback chronographs, Caliber 7 options chronometer-grade accuracy, however in this model it is hidden at the rear of a solid commemorative caseback engraved with the frontal picture of propeller-equipped aircraft.
Each individual view in the Autavia 60th Anniversary series is readily available now through TAG Heuer and its approved vendors on a non-restricted basis. The non-DLC metal Autavia 60th Anniversary Flyback Chronograph is marked at $6,300, though the DLC selection is priced fairly better at $6,950, and the Autavia 60th Anniversary GMT 3 Arms will retail for $4,200.
