Category Archives: Watches

Heuer used a variety of chronograph movements over the years evolving as the pressures of technological advance, the buying public or the company accountants took their turns. The most sought-after engines are those found in the earliest Autavia and Carrera watches, such as the Valjoux 72 which also sits behind the dials of the first Rolex Daytonas, Breitling AOPA Navitimers, Enicar Sherpagraphs and other auction star-performers. A gentleman’s stainless steel Cortina chronograph bracelet watch. Less appreciated, although with their own cult following, are the chronograph movements from the latter days of Heuer before the brand evolved into TAG Heuer. In 1974, a mere five years after the launch of the world’s first automatic chronograph movements, the Lemania 5100 appeared and in 1983 it found its first use in a Heuer. The 5100 was a remarkable evolution in five years, being cheaper to make, easier to service and using innovative materials such as Dupont’s Delrin, a light, tough, self-lubricating polymer in its construction. Its appeal was not only the cost of production, it was robust and shock resistant and the dial layout, moving the minute recording hand to the central dial stack increased legibility; no wonder the watch was adopted by the armed forces of several nations. Continue reading →