2017 TAG Heuer Autavia Heuer-02 (Ref. CBE2110) Update

abrod520

Looks super thick 🙁

Otherwise - noting that this is a prototype - it looks bang on

First of all, the case TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 measures 42mm in diameter (while the old one was 38mm). It is made out of stainless steel – classical – with an entirely polished finish. The proportions are, in general, rather modern too. The case is quite thick – do remember that we talk about an automatic chronograph, usually quite hefty movements – as measuring 15.64mm. The design of the case remains however faithful to the original, with the rather thin and bevelled lugs. Crown and pushers are classical and in the vein of the older version, however resized to fit the overall look.

This bezel is a pilot style one, rotating in both direction and without clicks (like you could find in a dive watch). Now, you can see this TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 on a vintage-inspired leather strap – and it actually looks nice in the metal. However, the best news is that this new Autavia will be available on a metal bracelet, and not any kind of bracelet, as we talk “beads of rice”, 7-link bracelet. And that is just super-cool.

Finally, there’s the movement. This TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 will feature the new Calibre Heuer 03. This new movement is based on the once-introduced, once-cancelled, now-relaunched calibre CH80. However, when becoming Heuer 03, it went under several improvements – which are now not yet explained in details, as the watch you can see in the article is a very early prototype. The CH80 was however an integrated, in-house, tri-compax, automatic chronograph movement, with vertical clutch, column-wheel and 80 hours of power reserve.

Hubert

Here's a better angle from another picture in Instagram:

Mr_Orange

It's not doing it for me but then I am not really an Autavia fan and didn't participate in the Autavia Cup for that very reason. I more keen to know where the Heuer 03 will pop up next.

Hubert

I hope they can reduce the ceramic bezel's dimensions by a millimeter or two, and use that to enlarge the width of the inner dial. I also hope that they can reduce the height of the glassbox dome as it robs visibility to the dial (as seen on the first picture that David posted). Finally, I hope they work on the lugs to make them a bit close closer to the original.

imagwai

I agree. But I doubt they can make the lugs any longer because of the increased case diameter.

imagwai

Changes can and do happen between prototype and production. But in this case I fear case size reduction - both in height and in diameter - (I might have mentioned that as my #1 wish before!) won't happen. Therefore, I am sadly coming round to the conclusion that despite my initial excitement at this model, I probably can't buy this one 🙁 Even if my wrist could take it, which will be a stretch, I think it would be too attention-grabbing. A lot of comments on social media and Hodinkee seem to agree.

Big Adam

I love my glassbox Telemeter (even if Hubert doesn't 😉 ) but combined with the thick proto-bezel, it just looks wrong here.
Add in the thick case and any subtle elegance is lost.
Finally, the date window. Why?

I was really thrilled by the prospect of a re-imagined Autavia but the pictures in this thread belong in a "Is my Heuer Genuine?" post.