Hi guys,

I'm new on this forum, so sorry in advance if I'm asking things I shouldn't. Nice to talk to all of you and nice to meet you.
I have the opportunity to get into vintage Heuer by buying a 1153 Carrera but I like things as original as possible. I'm no expert, so I would like your opinion on this. I specially have doubts about the hands, but anything else you could tell me about the watch would be of big help. I know the plexi has been replaced, but it looks like good quality to me. Watch has been serviced last year and is running at around -2s/day.
Last seller offer is 2500€, but I think I can still negociate. Does it seem like an OK deal to you ?
Please find below the pictures I have.

Thanks a lot !
Pierre


View attachment 871178

 

Hi, it looks like a nice 1153n to me. I think that hands are fine. The long sweep hand would have been orange originally but is now faded. It may well have been a calibre 11 originally too but it is not uncommon for them to have been replaced with a calibre 12, such as yours. Here is mine-

Same execution along with the hands and calibre 12 also the same as yours. Mine has a red sweep hand as you can see but that is incidental.

I suspect in both these Carreras the movement and hands were changed during serving but both are commonly accepted as genuine changes.

I think yours is a good honest piece at a good price in the current market. The serial may tell something more but I doubt it will change anything said above.

Good luck!
Steve

ps the only thing I will add is that it is tough to see the case condition. It would normally have a vertical brushed finish, that you can't really see in my photo either.

 

Hi Steve,
Thanks a lot for your answer.
And regarding the second hands, it looks like the ones from mine have turned black. Do you know what could cause this ?

Thank you !
Pierre

 

Yes, that purely ageing of the 'lume'-the luminous material that makes the hands 'glow' in the dark. It is the same as the lume on the ends of the markers you will notice, which has not aged the same as the hands. This is not uncommon and the hands can be left as they are or the 'lume' can be redone by a specialist. Happy to recommend someone if you end up buying it.

Best,
Steve

 

Thanks a lot for your answers Steve, really appreciate it.

Have a good day,
Pierre