In line with the 60th-anniversary celebration of a number of Tag Heuer’s cornerstone collections like Carrera and Monaco, 2022 is the year of the Autavia. The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer has introduced three new Tag Heuer Autavia models, including the first-ever three-hand GMT in the line.
A little history into the Autavia collection:
Created in 1962, the Autavia collection was one of the first products launched under Jack Heuer’s leadership. The name “Autavia” combines the two most important pillars of the brand—automobiles and aviation. First used for dashboard timers for cars and aircraft, the Autavia name eventually moved on to men’s wristwatches and became Tag Heuer’s most popular and leading collections.
The three new models in the Autavia collection are two variants of the Tag Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary Flyback Chronograph and the Tag Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary GMT 3 Hands. Let’s take a closer look:
Tag Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary Flyback Chronograph
With the two new timepieces, the flyback chronograph function makes in debut in the Autavia collection. Immediately recognisable by their distinctive chronograph pushers and extra-large crown, both variants of the Tag Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary Flyback Chronograph take inspiration from the historic Tag Heuer dashboard timers. Staying true to the brand’s DNA, the watches get two dial options in black and silver with large luminous Arabic numerals similar to the historic Autavia reference—the 73663. The presence of a bi-directional rotating bezel set with sapphire crystal front and back ensures durability and utility of the new Tag Heuer Autavia models.
They are available in a silver dial with a polished stainless-steel case inspired by the rare and coveted panda dials produced in the 1960s. The second version comes in a black dial and DLC-coated case that points at the direct link to Tag Heuer’s military pieces of the past.
One of the most exciting aspects of the new models is the newly developed movement working within. The Caliber Heuer 02 COSC Flyback movement is a nod to the rich history of Tag Heuer. Back in the 1960s, Heuer was mostly associated with a particular order from the German Bundeswehr. The reference 1550 SG—a trendy model among collectors—was explicitly created as a flyback chronograph for their Air Force. The 2022 Caliber Heuer 02 COSC Flyback movement is based on this particular model.
Tag Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary GMT 3 Hands
The third model is the Tag Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary GMT 3 Hands. The watch is the first GMT model in the collection to not use a chronograph function. The timepiece sticks to being a perfect fit for those who love to travel by road or air.
Crafted in a 42mm polished and fine-brushed stainless steel case, the watch features a radiant blue, sunray-brushed dial set with a magnificent blue and black ceramic bezel, numerals and hands coated with Super-LumiNova and a contrasting bright orange GMT hand. The three-hand GMT watch is fitted with the Calibre 7 COSC GMT movement and delivered in a stainless-steel bracelet or an alligator leather strap.
All three models are available from January 2022.
Image Courtesy: Tag Heuer
