Historical Background of the Heuer Autavia

1. Origins of the Autavia (1933)

The Autavia name was first introduced in 1933 by Heuer (pre-TAG era), not as a wristwatch but as a dashboard timer for aviation and automotive use. The name Autavia itself is a combination of “AUTomobile” and “AVIAtion,” reflecting its dual-purpose design for racers and pilots.

2. Introduction of the Autavia as a Wristwatch (1962)

In 1962, under the leadership of Jack Heuer, the Autavia transitioned from a dashboard instrument to a wristwatch chronograph. The Heuer Autavia quickly became popular among motorsport enthusiasts, thanks to its bold design, legibility, and reliable chronograph functions. The early Autavia watches were known for their rotating bezel, which added to their utility for racing drivers who needed to measure elapsed times during races.

The 1960s and 1970s Autavias were iconic sports watches, often worn by professional racers and even military pilots. The watch stood out for its sturdy construction, precise movements, and easy-to-read dials, making it a symbol of Heuer’s deep connection with motorsports.

3. Decline and Discontinuation

By the 1980s, the quartz crisis had taken a toll on many Swiss watchmakers, including Heuer. As the company shifted focus, the Autavia was discontinued in favor of more modern designs. However, the original Autavia watches from the 1960s and 1970s gained a cult following among collectors over time, becoming highly sought after on the vintage market.

TAG Heuer Autavia CBE2111 (2017): A Modern Revival

1. Reintroduction of the Autavia

In 2017, TAG Heuer (following the acquisition of Heuer by TAG in 1985) decided to revive the Autavia in a modern form as part of a broader trend of re-releasing iconic heritage models. The new Autavia, under reference CBE2111, was introduced at Baselworld 2017 and was designed to capture the spirit of the original 1960s Autavia while incorporating modern watchmaking technologies.

2. Design and Features

• Case and Size: The CBE2111 features a 42mm stainless steel case, which is larger than the original Autavia models, which were typically around 39mm. This increase in size reflects modern tastes while maintaining the rugged sports watch aesthetic.

• Bezel: One of the defining features of the Autavia is its rotating bezel, and the CBE2111 retains this element. The bezel is made of black aluminum with a 60-minute scale, offering functionality and a vintage look.

• Dial: The dial is reminiscent of the original 1960s Autavia chronographs, featuring a reverse panda layout—a black dial with white subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The design is clean and highly legible, in line with its motorsport heritage. The subdials include a 30-minute counter, a 12-hour counter, and small seconds, making it a highly functional chronograph.

• Movement: Powering the CBE2111 is TAG Heuer’s Caliber Heuer 02 automatic movement, which is a modern in-house chronograph movement introduced by TAG Heuer. The Heuer 02 offers:

  • 80-hour power reserve

  • Column-wheel chronograph for smooth operation

  • Vertical clutch for precise stopwatch functionality The Heuer 02 movement is visible through the sapphire case back, offering a glimpse of TAG Heuer’s modern horological expertise.

• Strap: The watch comes with either a stainless steel bracelet or a leather strap, adding versatility in terms of styling.

3. Heritage Design with Modern Technology

The Autavia CBE2111 manages to strike a balance between honoring the classic Heuer design while incorporating advancements in movement technology and case size to appeal to contemporary collectors. Its vintage-inspired design elements—such as the reverse panda dial, bold chronograph subdials, and rotating bezel—appeal to those who appreciate the history of motorsport chronographs, while the Heuer 02 movement ensures modern performance and reliability.