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- 1974 Heuer Carrera 'Panda Dial' - Cal. 12 - Ref. 1153 S
1974 Heuer Carrera 'Panda Dial' - Cal. 12 - Ref. 1153 S
A Fine and Iconic chronograph.
WHY IS THIS WATCH SPECIAL
This Carrera reference 1153 S is a fantastic unpolished example with a mesmerizing panda dial ranging from dark metallic blue to slate grey to black depending on the light and angle. The original dial is immaculate with all its lume plots present.
THE STORY
The Carrera reference 1153 was part of the legendary trio of watches Heuer introduced in 1969 to house their line of automatic chronographs; the other watches were the Monaco reference 1133 and the Autavia reference 1163. Heuer was one of the companies seeking to develop the first automatic chronograph and as part of a coalition with Breitling, Hamilton, Dubois-Depraz, and Buren, introduced the caliber 11 in 1969. Unlike the Monaco, which was a completely new reference for Heuer when it was introduced in 1969, the Carrera 1153 was meant to be an adaptation of the Carrera introduced in 1963, but designed as a more elegant racing chronograph. The Carrera reference 1153 still used an inner tension ring that could display information like its predecessors, such as the Carrera reference 2447, but instead used this inner ring to display a tachymeter track (and on rare instances other tracks), with the seconds track returning to the central dial. This is part of a rare early run of the reference 1153N; N stands for “Noir” or black, but in this case we have an unusual dark metallic dial that can go from black to blue depending on the light and angle. Mick Jagger wore this reference, although it is possible his was the “second execution” with white-striped hour and minute hands since it is difficult to precisely tell from the photos of him wearing it at the time. This is the “third execution” version featuring steel hands without any painted stripe on them. This is a classic and well-preserved vintage Heuer.
THE DATA
- Maker: Heuer
- Model: Carrera 'Panda Dial'
- Reference: 1153 S
- Case N°: 2227XX
- Year: 1974
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dimentions (WxHxT): 39x45x15mm
- Caliber: Heuer caliber 12
- Bracelet/Strap: Black leather with Original stainless steel Heuer pinbuckle
- Lug width: 20mm
- Box/Papers: N/A
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
The dial and the hands are in great condition, the lume on the hands and on the dial are complete. The bevels on both sides of the unpolished case are clearly visible and sharp. The satinated finish on the top of the case is present. The dial, case, movement, crown and pinbuckle are all signed, "Heuer".
It has a virile and sporty presence on the wrist with its 39mm case an can be worn daily.