1970s Heuer Autavia GMT Ref. 1163 'Mark 3'

Why This Watch Matters

This Autavia GMT is in overall excellent condition – just look at that faded bezel! 

The Full Story

Heuer released the original Autavia chronograph in 1962, and five years later, the brand added travel-time functionality with the first Autavia GMT. These early Autavia GMTs featured compressor-style cases and manually wound movements. In 1969, Heuer debuted the caliber 11, one of the earliest automatic chronograph movements, as part of a coalition with Breitling, Hamilton-Buren, and Dubois-Dépraz. From that point on, Heuer would offer many chronographs with automatic movements.

In 1970, Heuer released the ref. 1163, which was the first self-winding GMT Autavia; Heuer would eventually produce three different variations of the ref. 1163 GMT. The first two variations used caliber 11 with GMT function, and the third, like the example we have here, utilized the upgraded caliber 14 with GMT functionality. The Mark 3 variant was introduced in 1972. The aesthetic characteristics of the Heuer GMT Mark 3 series include hour and minute hands filled with lume and flanked by red borders, a red chronograph hand, red stripes in the minutes register, and a yellow GMT hand with a rectangular tip filled with lume. The red hands and accents on the dial really pop and give the Mark 3 variations a distinct look. To learn more about the differences between the three different executions, click here. 

The example we have today is in overall excellent and attractive condition. The lume on this watch has turned to a beautiful beige color. We often see these watches with a faded green-colored lume, so finding one with this aged warm tone is remarkable. The bezel has faded very nicely over the years, giving this watch a killer and unique appearance. To top it off, the watch comes on its original Heuer-signed, Gay Frères bracelet that is in mint condition.   

The Fine Print

Maker: Heuer 
Model: Autavia GMT 
Reference: 1163 
Year: Circa 1972 
Case No: 248107
Material: Stainless steel 
Dimensions: 43mm diameter; 15mm thickness 
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: Yes, tritium 
Caliber: Automatic caliber 14 
Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Heuer bracelet made by Gay Frères, with HLF end-links 
Lug Width: 20mm 
Box/Papers: No 

What we Love and What You Should Know

This Autavia GMT is in overall excellent condition. The case is very strong with the original sunburst finish intact. The case has some scratches and a few light nicks on its edges. The interior of the lugs have some light scratches from the bracelet being removed. The numbers are crisp between both lugs. The case is likely unpolished. The dial is in overall great condition with some dark patina around the edges of the white sub-dials. The lume on the hands and dial have aged beautifully and are very close to matching in color. The lume plots at three and nine o'clock show some wear. The bezel is in overall good condition, with some wear and scratches. The entire bezel has faded to a lovely light blue and pinkish color. The Gay Frères bracelet is in excellent condition with little stretch; it has 18 links total, measuring in at 8.5 inches long.