1st execution model with rare cropped 50 dial. Black decimal scale. The watch has been in single ownership since its purchase on the 9th of May 1969 until it was purchased by ourselves. It comes with its original signed paperwork. The serial number is 78125. The model 2447D has a Decimal scale, for measuring efficiency in industrial environments. For example, if someone is spending 30 minutes out of an hour a day in a factory doing a task, that is 50% of the hour, hence the 50 on the scale.
The 2447 is a reference that exhibits minimalistic design, transcending the function of a practical tool and sitting firmly in the realms of an iconic design piece. It was the first reference of Heuer Carrera produced, which demonstrated the execution of Jack Heuer’s “Legibility is key” mantra. Utility became the number one priority under his leadership, forming the cornerstone of Heuer’s design philosophy throughout its production.
The Heuer Carrera was released in 1963 and was created for the demanding environments of flying and motorsports. The watch was named after one of the most legendary motor races of all time (the Carrera Panamericana). The Carrera was a watch met with a warm reception and immediate success. The recipe was simple: a clean, ultra-legible, un-cluttered, precision instrument, to measure time and average speed. The result was a 36mm Stainless Steel case with straight case bands and faceted lugs. A clean silver dial with applied batons for the hours and sunken registers. A manually wound Valjoux 72 Chronograph movement. A large signed crown and easy to navigate chronograph pushers.
The dial is an all original example, which is in good condition. It has a silver satin base tone with a grained finish radiating from the centre of the dial. The sub-second dials are in-set into the dial with a slight facet, before a flat surface with circular grained finish. The hour markers are a silver tone and are applied to the dial. There are Tritium lume plots to the edge of the markers. The decimal scale is around the exterior of the dial, counting up to 100, whilst the chapter ring has the seconds / minutes and 1/5ths of a second. The dial is signed Carrera Heuer below 12 O’clock, with T Swiss at 6 O’clock.
All hands are original and is good vintage condition. The crown is Stainless Steel, original and in good condition with a polished finish and some light surface scratching. It is signed with the Heuer logo. The original oversized pushers are Stainless Steel, and are in good condition, with a polished finish and some light surface scratching.
From the front the lugs taper inwards which creates a neat profile to the case. Visible from the side profile the lugs also taper to meet the wrist. The inner section of the lugs has a short bevel on a 60 degree angle, whilst the outer section is a larger bevel on a 50 degree angle. This leads into a flat case side. This complex mix of angles, tapering and bevels creates a case that reflects the light in varying ways, highlighting its simple but thoughtful design.
The movement is a Valjoux 72 movement, which is manually wound chronograph calibre. In single ownership the watch was serviced at regular intervals. The watch was also serviced in the last 5 years. the movement is in good condition cosmetically and is keeping very good time. It has a daily gain of +20 seconds, with an amplitude of 235 degrees and a beat error of 0.0m/s.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial: The dial is an all original example, which is in good condition. It has a silver satin base tone with a grained finish radiating from the centre of the dial. The sub-second dials are in-set into the dial with a slight facet, before a flat surface with circular grained finish. The hour markers are a silver tone and are applied to the dial. They are 3 sided with faceted ends to a flat centre. The centre section is brushed, whilst the ends are polished. There are Tritium lume plots to the edge of the markers. The decimal scale is around the exterior of the dial, counting up to 100, whilst the chapter ring has the seconds / minutes and 1/5ths of a second. The dial is signed Carrera Heuer below 12 O’clock, with T Swiss at 6 O’clock.
Points of mention – There are some minor and small areas of corrosion where the dial meets the chapter ring. This is most noticeable between 3 and 6 O’clock. The chapter ring also has some corrosion to the edge, mostly between 12 and 3 O’clock. This is minor and does not detract from the dial.
Hands: The hour and minute hand are original and are of Obelisque style. They have the original Tritium lume in-fill to the centre. They are polished Stainless Steel and have some corrosion to the finish as expected with age. The central second hand is original and is in good condition, in a black tone which has some signs of ageing. The chronograph sub-dial hands are all original and are a black tone.
Glass: The acrylic crystal is original and is in good condition with some light surface scratching associated with age.
Crown: The crown is Stainless Steel, original and in good condition with a polished finish and some light surface scratching. It is signed with the Heuer logo.
Pushers: The original oversized pushers are Stainless Steel, and are in good condition, with a polished finish and some light surface scratching.
Case: The circular Stainless-Steel case is original and is in good condition. It has been lightly polished as is commonly seen with Carreras from this era. The angles on the case remain clean and sharp. There is light surface scratching consistent with age, but not major dints or deeper scratches. From the front the lugs taper inwards which creates a neat profile to the case. Visible from the side profile the lugs also taper to meet the wrist. The inner section of the lugs has a short bevel on a 60 degree angle, whilst the outer section is a larger bevel on a 50 degree angle. This leads into a flat case side. This complex mix of angles, tapering and bevels creates a case that reflects the light in varying ways, highlighting its simple but thoughtful design.
Caseback: The case back is stainless steel and is in good condition. It has had the grained finish refinished in the past. The notches for the screw back are clearly defined and have no scratches or dints.
The inside of the case back has perlage finishing and is signed “Heuer Leonidas SA, Swiss, Stainless Steel”.
Bracelet:
The watch is on a new, non-original leather stap. It is for 18mm lug width and is Alligator grain style on calf leather.
Movement:
The movement is a Valjoux 72 movement, which is manually wound chronograph calibre. It offers a 60s stopwatch hand, constant sub-seconds, 30 minute counter and 12 hour counter. It has 17 jewels, a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a 48-hour power reserve. In single ownership the watch was serviced at regular intervals. The watch was also serviced in the last 5 years. the movement is in good condition cosmetically and is keeping very good time. It has a daily gain of +20 seconds, with an amplitude of 235 degrees and a beat error of 0.0m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 36mm
Case width with crown: 38mm
Case length: 36mm
Case length lug to lug: 44.5mm
Case Depth: 12.5mm
Lug width: 18mm