Read our expert's description
Brand :
TAG Heuer
Collection :
Autavia
Model :
Autavia
Reference :
Tag Heuer - 1563
Category :
Wrist Watch
Period :
1970's
Movement :
Automatic
Caliber :
T
Case material :
Steel
Reference Detail :
1563 , STAMPED 1163V BETWEEN LUGS
Clasp type :
Folding clasp
Dimensions :
47 mm
Complications :
Chronometre
Description :
Manufacturer: Heuer;Year: circa 1973;Reference No: 1563, stamped 1163V between lugs;Case No: 271'144;Model Name: Autavia "Exotic Dial;Material: Stainless steel;Calibre: Automatic, cal. 15, 17 jewels;Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel, Heuer bracelet by Gay Frères, 200mm. max length;Clasp/Buckle: Deployant buckle;Dimensions: 47mm. length x 42mm. diameter;Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed;Literature: Reference 1563 "Exotic" is featured in Heuer Autavia Chronographs 1962-1985 by Richard Crosthwaite & Paul Gavin pp. 150-153;Catalogue Essay;In 2008, Heuer collectors were invited to La Chaux-de-Fonds to visit the Heuer workshops. There, they spotted an Autavia reference 1563 never seen before.;The reference 1563 had the same case as the ref erence1163V and most often the cases were stamped with the latter reference number, the major difference being the caliber 15 housed within, featuring a continuous seconds hand at 10 o’clock and a 30 minute counter at 3 o’clock.;Not much information existed on this timepiece: was it a prototype, a special one-off or a limited edition?;Rapidly, this model garnered an important following amongst the Heuer enthusiasts who nicknamed it the “Exotic Dial”. This model launched in the early 1970s, had a dial unlike any other within the Autavia family: large luminous markers, checkerboard style hash marks for the 1/5-second track, hands and semi-circle around the minutes counter subdial in vivid orange and crosshairs for the running seconds register.;In the past nine years since the re discovery of the “Exotic Dial” we have learned very little about the history of this mysterious piece. We believe that is was not a prototype as a few dozen examples have been spotted but in any event we would think that it is amongst the rarest of Autavia models ever produced.;The Autavia reference 1563 with “Exotic Dial" is amongst the most desirable and coveted Heuer models. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time an “Exotic Dial” Autavia is offered for sale by an international auction house and we are delighted to offer this superb example in examplary condition, with full powerful case, colorful dial and original Heuer, Gay Frères made bracelet.
