Hi all,

My father has inherited an old Heuer watch. I am not a Heuer expert, but after some research, it looks like a Heuer Autavia 2446 Rindt (correct me if I am wrong!).

He is considering what to do with the watch. I think it looks amazing and would love it if he kept it but he wants to swing by an authorized dealer to get it looked at.

Looking at the attached image, what do you guys think when it comes to watch, condition, and price estimate?

Thanks in advance!

- Magnus

 

Nice piece to inherit. The bezel is in rough shape but best to keep it original. The hands look like they may have been replaced at some point, judging by the different lume shades between them and the hour marker plots. Case looks to be in decent condition, though. I'd say it's definitely worth getting this serviced and maybe replace/polish the crystal. For value, I'd look at similar models online but definitely worth a few thousand.

 

Thanks for the reply and the thorough explanation. I will definitely take it to an AD to get it looked at next week. Hopefully, the hands have not been replaced...

 

Be careful taking it to an AD, especially if they're going to send it to TAG for servicing. Most staff in ADs know nothing about vintage watches. I would find a trusted watchmaker that specializes in vintage personally.

 

Okay makes sense! And the concern here would be that replace original parts with newer ones?

 

Yes, or even incorrect (original) parts.

 

So, we have now heard back from the AD (this is the one: https://klarlund.dk/). They told us, that they can not verify it without sending it to Tag Heuger in Switzerland and that this would cost approx. $2.000.
They have suggested that they buy the watch for $6.000 without sending it to Switzerland though which tells me, that they might think it is all original with original parts.

If it turns out that it is original with all the original parts I do not think $6.000 is a good enough price and we are better off either keeping it or selling it ourselves.
The question is, is there any way to verify the condition and originality of the watch without sending it to Tag Heuer and, what do you think of the above?

Thanks so much for the help!

- Magnus

 

Depending on where you are I would take it to a qualified watchmaker. If all original 6k is def not enough. These start at +10k

 

Why does it cost $2k to send it to Tag Heuer? Doesn't sound right unless that includes a full service cost as well, but even then, it sounds expensive. As Yago suggests, a qualified watchmaker, preferably someone who specialises in vintage Heuer, is the right way forward. My suggestion would be to try Abel Court. https://www.heuertime.com/

 

Okay, that makes sense. I also thought that 2k was very steep. Tbh it sounds like the AD is trying to make a good deal by buying it from us for 6k.
We are located in Denmark, do you know any qualified watchmakers that specialises in Heuer close to Denmark? It looks like Abel Court is in Belgium? Which could also work

 

Great looking watch . . . and the "Rindt" is one of the classic vintage Autavias. The hour bezel is a nice feature, as many collectors prefer this; it allows you to easily track a second time zone.

There is no reason to think that the hands have been replaced. We often see some difference between the color of the lume on the hands and the lume on the dial . . . so no real concerns there.

In terms of the value, and offer of $6,000 is insulting. Well, no need to take it personally, but that is definitely a "wholesale" price, against a "retail" price of at least double that price. This one is easily worth at least $12,000.

Great watch . . . hoping that you will enjoy it!!

Jeff

 

Thanks for that, Jeff! As I said in the above comment, I do not think that is a fair price either, and a little insulting probably because they know we do not know a lot about this watch.
Do you know of any qualified watchmakers that specialises in Heuer close to Denmark? I do not mind traveling to another city in Europe to get it looked at if there are no places in DK.

 

Considering Abel Court is perhaps the top Heuer watchmaker in the world, I think it would be worth the trip to Belgium.

 

Thank you all. I sent it to Abel and got this back:

"Hello Magnus,

Thank you for the photos. Your watch is indeed a ref.2446, aka the “Jochen Rindt” Autavia. All details seems to check out, I presume/hope that the movement is also correctly signed.

However, some things I noticed…central seconds hands is not the original but from a later 2446C Autavia. Pishes seems also not the be the originals anymore, but no big deal. And lastly, the minute hand is also not the one we are “used” to see on the Rindts…also minute/hour hands have been resumed poorly.

All in all a very nice and collectable watch, here are some estimates for services/repair;

• Complete movement service: 520 euro
• Case cleaning, plexi polish, fresh caseback seal: 65 euro
• Pushers/crown service: 45 euro
• New original plexi (ipolishing old one is not sufficient): 220 euro
• Reluming hands and dial with vintage lime: 145 euro
• New original central seconds hand: 120 euro
• …

If you are interested to sell, of course I can help you with that. Do you have a price in mind?

With my best regards,
Abel."

 

Any thoughts on what you're going to do? Me personally I'd want to get all of that work done and then wear it.

 

If it's an inheritance, one could view the replacement parts as part of the journey the watch went on. But it also would be quite a nice watch with original parts re-fit to it.

It comes down then to your personal preference, affinity for the family member who originally wore this watch, and appetite for spending money to bring it to original spec.

 

About 1000 euro for the best in the bizz compared to 2k from TH with no guarantees whatsoever. You will def get more than 1000 euro back when you sell, compared to current condition. I’d 100% keep it but we’re all mad here. 10k is a lot of money

 

I think I will end up going to Belgium to see Abel Court with the watch to have it looked at. Ultimately, I really want to keep it in the family, so I might end up buying it from my dad if he intends to sell it...

 

Good choice. Lovely watch and Abel will do a great job for you at a reasonable price

 

Thank you all! Unfortunately, Abel does not have time until August 2023 at the earliest and my dad might want to get it done before that. A few qualified watchmakers that I have visited here in Denmark over the past few days say that they can service it and change the parts that need to be changed (a showed the list that Abel sent me). They are not Heuer experts per se but do service and sell other vintage watches like Rolex, Omega, PP etc.
Any major risks if we decide to go with any of them?

I know Abel would be the best choice, but my dad might not want to wait.