What am I having here exactly?

pdmm · Nov 20, 2016

Hi everyone

I posted something similar over at watchuseek, but was suggested to hit up this forum instead, because you are the specialists 😀

I have this worn out 1960's Carrera lying around and haven't really given it much thought, until I started getting more interested in mechanical watches. It definitely needs a polish and a new front glass.

Maybe some of you can help me identify this watch. Of course I have tried to google it first and I figured out it might be this watch: Heuer Carrera 45 Ref. 3647T". However, I noticed that there's a "T" above the Swiss label on those pictures and mine doesn't have that.

What am I dealing with here? Would appreciate your input. Also maybe some of you have a guess of what this watch would be worth today.

Calibre11 · Nov 20, 2016

P pdmm
Hi everyone

I posted something similar over at watchuseek, but was suggested to hit up this forum instead, because you are the specialists 😀

I have this worn out 1960's Carrera lying around and haven't really given it much thought, until I started getting more interested in mechanical watches. It definitely needs a polish and a new front glass.

Maybe some of you can help me identify this watch. Of course I have tried to google it first and I figured out it might be this watch: Heuer Carrera 45 Ref. 3647T". However, I noticed that there's a "T" above the Swiss label on those pictures and mine doesn't have that.

What am I dealing with here? Would appreciate your input. Also maybe some of you have a guess of what this watch would be worth today.

Very nice watch- your research is right- it's a Carrera 45 specifically a Carrera 3647T. Heuer- and others- did look at alternatives to tritium (which is what the T on the dial means...the T in the model reference is for tachymeter, the red scale on the dial). Your watch is likely from the mid-late 1960s rather than the early versions.

Take a look here for a view on pricing:

http://forums.calibre11.com/threads/vintage-heuer-price-guide.19567/

dc

ewand · Nov 21, 2016

Interestingly, WatchPool24 has a poly-back 3647T up for sale:
https://www.watchpool24.com/en/auction/view/id/30726585

... that also doesn't have the T above Swiss. If the WP24 one is genuine, then it must be a very early case with Ed Heuer signed movement and a no-T dial. OP; what does the back of your watch look like? Does it have a serial number between the lugs?

Calibre11 · Nov 21, 2016

Actually, I've got that the wrong way around- early Carreras with no tritium "T" on the dial

2. SWISS Only: The earliest Carreras simply say "SWISS" on the dial and do not have a "T" letter indicating tritium. Some collectors believe that the lume was still tritium, while others wonder whether these Carreras (and some early Autavias) may have used radium lume. It would take a Geiger counter and some more detailed analysis to say for sure, but in all likelihood they had tritium lume and the marking system for tritium was not yet uniform.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/understanding-the-earliest-heuer-carreras

dsio · Nov 21, 2016

Oh that's pretty, bracelet isn't but the watch would look great on a shell cordovan strap or something rustic like that.

pdmm · Nov 21, 2016

ewand
Interestingly, WatchPool24 has a poly-back 3647T up for sale:
https://www.watchpool24.com/en/auction/view/id/30726585

... that also doesn't have the T above Swiss. If the WP24 one is genuine, then it must be a very early case with Ed Heuer signed movement and a no-T dial. OP; what does the back of your watch look like? Does it have a serial number between the lugs?

abrod520 · Nov 21, 2016

That is indeed a 3647T, the Swiss-only dial and notch back would date it to probably 1965 or 1966. Best way to tell would be the serial number - There should be a 5-digit serial number between the bottom lugs (near 6-o'clock). You may have to remove the bracelet to see it; if you're not comfortable doing so you can take it to any watch repair place and they can help you.

Calibre11 · Nov 21, 2016

abrod520
That is indeed a 3647T, the Swiss-only dial and notch back would date it to probably 1965 or 1966. Best way to tell would be the serial number - There should be a 5-digit serial number between the bottom lugs (near 6-o'clock). You may have to remove the bracelet to see it; if you're not comfortable doing so you can take it to any watch repair place and they can help you.

Those springbars look like they'll be tough to move- I'd agree with @abrod520 that taking it to a watch repair shop should be the next move

pdmm · Dec 27, 2017

Merry Christmas everyone.

Thought it would be fun to update this entry with the refurbished watch. This is what it looks like now...Inside has been getting a much needed spa treatment, polished the glass (plastic) and gave it a nice new strap. What do you guys think?

imagwai · Dec 27, 2017

Fantastic!

Gambba · Dec 27, 2017

Lovely piece!!

My own choice would be a Black corfam strap on it or rally style strap just for that proper old school feel and look. Still lovely nonetheless!! Congrats.

pdmm · Dec 27, 2017

Gambba
Lovely piece!!

My own choice would be a Black corfam strap on it or rally style strap just for that proper old school feel and look. Still lovely nonetheless!! Congrats.

Thank you!!! 😀
I was actually out looking for exactly that, but honestly a black strap looked way too harsh for my personal taste.

MRC · Dec 27, 2017

P pdmm
Thank you!!! 😀
I was actually out looking for exactly that, but honestly a black strap looked way too harsh for my personal taste.

I've had my 3647 on black and brown and find the black too sharp.

This could also serve as a WRUW for this week although both photos were taken some time ago.

pdmm · Dec 27, 2017

MRC
I've had my 3647 on black and brown and find the black too sharp.

This could also serve as a WRUW for this week although both photos were taken some time ago.

Very nice! Yes, that's exactly how I felt about the black strap too...it's too sharp. The brown tones on the right picture really works well though. Nice watch!

Calibre11 · Dec 28, 2017

P pdmm
Merry Christmas everyone.

Thought it would be fun to update this entry with the refurbished watch. This is what it looks like now...Inside has been getting a much needed spa treatment, polished the glass (plastic) and gave it a nice new strap. What do you guys think?

Fantastic- well worth it...congrats 👍

Gambba · Dec 28, 2017

P pdmm
Thank you!!! 😀
I was actually out looking for exactly that, but honestly a black strap looked way too harsh for my personal taste.

I can see what you mean there, and can see it would be probably the better choice. I would have thought the corfam material colour and graining would reduce that sharpness somewhat.