Heuer 'Big Eye' Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c.1950
This Heuer chronograph wristwatch, dating to circa 1950, features a 35mm round stainless steel case with a screw-down back. According to Bonhams, it is powered by a 17-jewel manual-wind column wheel chronograph movement numbered 404780.
The dial is two-toned silvered with luminous Arabic chapters, an outer fifth-seconds ring, and two subsidiary registers: one for continuous seconds and another 30-minute counter. The hands are blued steel with luminous fill, complemented by blued sweep and subdial hands. The case, dial, and movement are reported signed.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- c.1950
- Dial
- Two toned silvered, outer fifth seconds ring, luminous Arabic chapters
- Type
- Chronograph
- Model
- Big Eye
- Movement
- 17-jewel manual wind, column wheel chronograph, no. 404780
- Case Size
- 35mm
- Case Number
- 66181
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Heuer
Design
- Visible features
- • Two-register chronograph layout with oversized right subdial • Fitted with a textured grey leather strap • Round pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock with a fluted winding crown • Dial shows warm patina with Arabic numerals at 12, 1, 5, 6, and 7
- Dial Display and Subdials
- The dial is described in the catalogue as two-toned silvered, bordered by an outer fifth-seconds ring and set with luminous Arabic chapters. Direct observation shows Arabic numerals visible at the 12, 1, 5, 6, and 7 positions, with the surface displaying warm patina. The configuration incorporates two subsidiary registers: one for continuous running seconds and a 30-minute counter. Time and measurement indications are rendered with blued hands with luminous fill, along with blued sweep and register hands.
- Case and External Architecture
- The watch features a round stainless steel case measuring 35mm in diameter, described in the catalogue as polished and fitted with a screw-down back numbered 66181. External controls consist of round pushers positioned at 2 and 4 o'clock flanking a fluted central winding crown. While the catalogue description lists the strap as textured brown leather, visual observation notes that the watch is fitted with a textured grey leather strap.
- Identity and Model Designation
- This vintage stainless steel chronograph is identified by the auctioneer as a Heuer manual-wind model designated with the model title "Big Eye". The sale catalogue assigns it an approximate production date of circa 1950 and reports that the case, dial, and movement are signed. Visually, the timepiece presents a two-register chronograph dial featuring an oversized right-hand subsidiary register, corresponding to the popular "Big Eye" layout.
Identification
- Serial number
- 66181
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement and case back interior are not shown in the provided photograph
- Research required: Catalogue text lists strap as brown leather, but it appears dark grey in the photograph