Feedback Needed From Owners: Tag Heritage Autavia Chronographs
Inspired by @celinesimon's panda post. We all have watches that we love to look at, think about buying, but never do, even with the means to do so. Seems there is always something better, or more likely, just do not want to pull the trigger. For me one of those is a Tag Heuer Heritage Autavia Chrono, particularly the Viceroy (yes cancer sticks) edition. It is one of the few watches that has the actual racing heritage and history others dream about. BUT, there is one big thing, literally, these come in at 42mm and 17mm thick. The question I have; have any of you owned one? What is it like to wear? Does it wear as big as the measurements? These are hard to come by in stores, so they are not easy to track down and try on and numbers do not always tell the full story. Would love some owner's insight.
What say you, non-owners; Is there a watch always on your watch list that you never buy? What is it and what has stopped you from pulling the trigger?
Photos: ablogtowatch
Watch enthusiast who insists on the next watch being the last.
Thanks Thomas. I have a flat 6.5 in wrist, but that is my fear. As cool as they look, I just feel they will wear like manhole covers.
They look great, but is it really 17mm thick? Jeez, I don't think I could do that, but I've never tried one on.
That viceroy is so good looking, I can see why it’s on your list.
For me, it’s the Black Bay 32 black dial. I know it‘d make a great everyday watch for me and my wrist size but can’t seem to pull the trigger.
That viceroy is so good looking, I can see why it’s on your list.
For me, it’s the Black Bay 32 black dial. I know it‘d make a great everyday watch for me and my wrist size but can’t seem to pull the trigger.
It's funny you say the BB32, I often look at the 36, which I often see for as low as $2000, but just do not like it enough to pull the trigger. Then there are times I see it on people and I think it looks great.
It's funny you say the BB32, I often look at the 36, which I often see for as low as $2000, but just do not like it enough to pull the trigger. Then there are times I see it on people and I think it looks great.
Exactly! It’s like it’s almost too safe, if that makes sense? Also, on the 32 I think the hour markers and hands are slightly too big for the smaller case size. I’ve tried it on so many times thinking okay, today is the day. But then I walk away without it…then regret my decision. And the cycle starts all over again. 😂
As you might expect being ChronoGuy, I have a few Heuers in the collection - both the vintage and the reissues.
The Autavia is an awesome watch - there are so many cool variations.
Specifically, the Heritage Autavia 1972 Special Re-Edition Ref. CBE2118.FC8246
This is what they mean when they say it sits proud on your wrist. My wrist is 7.5 inches and here is what the Autavia looks like on it (I measure 42mm case size and 15.6mm height):
It's pretty close to the vintage Viceroy which measures 42mm and 16mm:
The "Orange Boy" HODINKEE reissue is also about the same size (42mm and 15.6mm), but has three subdials:
Heuer released a Racing Chronograph in the mid-70s that was more manageable with a case size of 38mm and 13mm tall (Ref. 1589B / 1614) - hard to find these in clean condition - it would be awesome if Heuer would reissue these:
The Carrera is the more likely choice for smaller wrists. One of my good friends has a 6.75 inch wrist and the Autavias are pretty unmanageable for him. He's definitely a fan of the Carreras.
I have a few and they are really gorgeous, but less tough than the Autavia and more of a racing dress chronograph. These come in at 39mm and 14.7mm. I'm showing a couple of wrist shots here so you can compare these to the Autavia wrist shots. Hopefully that gives you some perspective of how much larger the Autavia wears on the wrist.
The viceroy is the shit, Love that look!!
As you might expect being ChronoGuy, I have a few Heuers in the collection - both the vintage and the reissues.
The Autavia is an awesome watch - there are so many cool variations.
Specifically, the Heritage Autavia 1972 Special Re-Edition Ref. CBE2118.FC8246
This is what they mean when they say it sits proud on your wrist. My wrist is 7.5 inches and here is what the Autavia looks like on it (I measure 42mm case size and 15.6mm height):
It's pretty close to the vintage Viceroy which measures 42mm and 16mm:
The "Orange Boy" HODINKEE reissue is also about the same size (42mm and 15.6mm), but has three subdials:
Heuer released a Racing Chronograph in the mid-70s that was more manageable with a case size of 38mm and 13mm tall (Ref. 1589B / 1614) - hard to find these in clean condition - it would be awesome if Heuer would reissue these:
The Carrera is the more likely choice for smaller wrists. One of my good friends has a 6.75 inch wrist and the Autavias are pretty unmanageable for him. He's definitely a fan of the Carreras.
I have a few and they are really gorgeous, but less tough than the Autavia and more of a racing dress chronograph. These come in at 39mm and 14.7mm. I'm showing a couple of wrist shots here so you can compare these to the Autavia wrist shots. Hopefully that gives you some perspective of how much larger the Autavia wears on the wrist.
Thanks for the detailed response @ChronoGuy, it means a lot. Eventually, I’ll have to make a point to try one on, but it’ll likely be too large for me. Looks great on you however.
Thanks for the detailed response @ChronoGuy, it means a lot. Eventually, I’ll have to make a point to try one on, but it’ll likely be too large for me. Looks great on you however.
Thanks - appreciate the kind words.
The Seiko Presage Negroni and the why is I've bought WAY too many watches in the last 8 months
For me its TAG / Heuer chronos in general. There are so many models to chose from, with cool designs and a great history behind the company. But so far... I have never purchased any. I normally always wear auto/manual chronos, and actually use the functionality in my work (and to make coffee..😳). So, Im used to the size and weight of such watches.
For some reason, there always seems to be something that I dislike, but I cant put my finger on it. Well, one day ....😉
In theory I should love the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, but for some reason I merely like it and I have watched it slowly walk away from my price range over the last decade and never bought it. Now I feel the steel Omegas are overpriced by a couple of thousand £. 🤷
I love the Submariner, but didn’t commit to it years ago and now it’s an impossible watch for me to attain. 🤦🏻♂️
Had one. It wore under its numbers for my taste and I did let it go reasonably quick. Just something about it didn't click
I have the newer Autavia Flyback Chrono that come in 42 x 15.6mm. Like @ChronoGuy I have a 7.5in wrist and it wears comfortably for me. I put it on the bracelet which helps balance the top heavy weight a bit better than straps.
Don’t obsess over the stats too much, just go try some on. Unlike other brands, you can find this and other TAG chronos mentioned above ADs all over.
The Defy Classic on bracelet is another that I too look at and then forget about.
I have the newer Autavia Flyback Chrono that come in 42 x 15.6mm. Like @ChronoGuy I have a 7.5in wrist and it wears comfortably for me. I put it on the bracelet which helps balance the top heavy weight a bit better than straps.
Don’t obsess over the stats too much, just go try some on. Unlike other brands, you can find this and other TAG chronos mentioned above ADs all over.
Thanks for the insight.
Had one. It wore under its numbers for my taste and I did let it go reasonably quick. Just something about it didn't click
Thats a big fear, appreciate the input.