Hi there all I have recently been looking into the 7863 - the date version with 2 sub-dials. All the reference materials seem to suggest that these were only produced with the Valjoux 7732 movement however I have now seen a number that have 7734 movements which I am told are original to the watch. Could this be correct and they represent a later production run or is it more likely that the original movements have been replaced? Grateful for your thoughts. Thanks
Interesting topic. I would have thought only 7732 bur it was quite a transitional time for Heuer and Valjoux. By looking I can already see a couple of listings where the movement isn't shown but is assumed to be 7734-this could easily be incorrect. Have you seen any actual examples of the 7734 installed? Thanks, Steve
Hi there Attached is a photo I was sent recently - when the watch had been serviced the watchmaker had considered the movement to be original to the watch...
Fair enough-it looks OK. it's not definitive but I wonder if the serial would help at all-it's more likely to have a 7734 is it's a late serial logically-do you happen to know it?
Well, I think the one in the picture is 1383xx (I cant be sure as the photo I have is unclear) but I have one serial 1388xx (which I am confident is correct with a 7732....so if anything they are the wrong way around - so I'm confused.... I have read that Heuer started using the 7734 in around 1972 in the Viceroy and another model, but this would perhaps put it later than an 7863c...?
Technically (pedantically!) the 'Viceroy' was never with a Valjoux, only the automatic but yes, the equivalent manuals of that time did use the 7734. The Camaro also introduced the 7734 around 1971, so it did occur to me this seemed quite early for a 7734. However it is not unusual for Heuer to 'use up' left over cases so they weren't ALWAYS chronological. I've yet to see another 7863 with a 7734 though....
OK, thanks for your thoughts. On a related topic then, is there an accurate way to date my own 7863? Again from reading, I know that the compressor case came out in 1968 and that dating via the serial number is notoriously 'tricky'. Also I have looked at some old catalogues and I only see the 7863 advertised in 1970.... Could I say then that the 7863 appeared perhaps more regularly in 1970 or is there clarity somewhere that it was being made and retailed in 1968/9? Thanks
Personally I would have said it was produced in 1969/1970, but I do have 1 unofficial source which indicated as early as 1968. You could do some digging and try and narrow it down further I guess.... Thanks, Steve
Just following up this-having spoken to a friend of mine on another topic, he says the 7863 did indeed come with the 7734 and 7732. Apparently the dials are interchangeable so could easily have been used for either. Steve
Steve Much appreciated and thanks for taking the time to follow up on this one. So, should there be a push to reflect this in the reference material so that those with 7734s can be well represented? Thanks again. Andy
Hi Andy-you're welcome. TBH it was only because we were discussing it on another matter. Sure it would be helpful to be more in the public domain-although there are so few examples it probably won't be asked much....and which reference material should it be included in? Best, Steve
Steve Guess I'm just thinking about OTD - as earlier in this thread, I recently turned down a 7863 as it had a 7734 purely on the strength that OTD only showed 7732 as correct. Feel a bit sorry for the seller.... Regards Andy
New avatar? There is obviously masses of good info on OTD but it is difficult to cover every piece and every permutation-especially as new points/features still continue to crop up on occasion. You were right to further query it here-just a shame we didn't have the precise knowledge/info to answer it at the time. Steve
Hello all, I'm a member of omega forum but I'm thinking of jumping into a 7863 with a 7734. On OF there's a thread about it: https://omegaforums.net/threads/cal-7734-correct-for-a-autavia-heuer-7863c.130915/#post-1775799 I'm quite convinced that the 7863 came with a 7734. But are there any more pictures with proof of this? Here's the watch I'm interested in:
Pusher, it's hard to tell. But I'd agree with you that the hands have been relumed. Only other thing that would slightly bother me is the chunk dent in the bezel and top right lug. But other than that, the case looks in good shape, and so does the dial. These are fantastic looking watches.