For more than half a century, TAG Heuer has presented Autavia as a separate line. The new models are robust, reliable, and versatile, just like the Autavia of the 1960s. When it comes to the movement, TAG Heuer has played it safe: the proven Calibre 5, this time with COSC certification.
Autavia history
When TAG Heuer decided to expand its current lines (Carrera, Monaco, Formula 1, Aquaracer, and Link), Autavia was a natural choice thanks to its successful past. Between 1933 and 1957, Heuer produced on-board timers for aircraft and racing car dashboards under the name Autavia, an abbreviation of the words AUTomobile and AVIAtion. After production ceased, the Autavia name disappeared from the collection for a while, only to reappear in 1962 when the company, under the leadership of Jack Heuer, launched a new wrist chronograph. This distinctive model perfectly captured the motorsport style of its time, quickly gained success, and won over many customers around the world, especially among car enthusiasts, with its unique character. The Autavia series held a firm position in the Heuer collection until 1985, when the company underwent many fundamental strategic changes and it was time to make room for other models.
In 2017, it reappeared in the form of a faithful reissue of several pieces from the 1960s. Its return was accompanied by a very successful marketing campaign—TAG Heuer created a web application for its fans and customers, where they could vote to help decide the future design of the new model. Two years later, Autavia returns to the collection as a completely new standalone series of seven models in a new design inspired by adventure, travel, and cars, which have always been characteristic of its style. A brief episode in this modern history is last year's version with a carbon deposit hairspring, which is anti-magnetic and very stable in temperature fluctuations and other extreme conditions. However, the technological complexity of production slowed down deliveries, and it was not possible to meet the high demand for this model, so TAG Heuer began to use carbon hairspring only for selected limited and special editions (e.g., Nanograph). Autavia is now equipped with the proven and reliable Calibre 5 movement with COSC certification.
Autavia design
The most striking design elements are based on the history of the Autavia series, i.e., what made the original version so popular with so many customers—functionality, timeless style, and a wide selection of color and material combinations. At last year's Baselworld, TAG Heuer demonstrated that all of this has been preserved in seven new models. The three-hand stainless steel models with a diameter of 42 mm have the same case shape and strap attachment as the originals from the 1960s. The bidirectional ceramic bezel with a 60-minute scale emphasizes the sporty character of the watch. The large crown is inspired by watches for pilots and other adventurers who need to operate their timepieces while wearing gloves. The dial of the original Autavia was popular for its easy readability, which has been retained in the new dials. This is not only thanks to the clear layout, but also to the SuperLuminova® coating on the hands and indices, which makes it easy to tell the time even when your travels take you into the dark. The smoked dial with a date window at 6 o'clock is available in black, gray, and blue.
The selection is further expanded by various strap options. The leather strap in two shades or the steel bracelet are attached using a special titanium clasp, which can be easily replaced at home with a single click without the need for standard watchmaker's pliers. Some models with a metal bracelet also come with a black NATO strap, so you can match them to many outfits.
The collection also includes two three-hand models in a bronze case (42 mm) with a smoky green or brown dial, a reversible ceramic bezel, a leather strap, and a titanium case back.
The case back is engraved with an aircraft propeller and a car tire, symbols of Autavia that refer to its rich history and promising future.
Technical Specifications
TAG Heuer Autavia
Movement
Automatic, Calibre 5, COSC Certified, diameter 26mm, 25 jewels, oscillation frequency 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz), power reserve 38 hours
Dial
Date, hours, minutes, seconds
Blue, black, or gray smoked dial, rhodium-plated hands with Super-LumiNova® markers
Case
42 mm diameter, stainless steel, bidirectional rotating bezel in blue or black ceramic or stainless steel, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, water resistance to 100 m (10 bar)
Strap
Light or dark brown calfskin strap, steel bracelet, stainless steel pin buckle
