Everything that's wrong with this piece? Vintage Heuer Chronograph

Jeff Stein · Aug 9, 2020

It's a bit too late in the evening to work my way through all the responses, but this watch looks basically OK to me. It's the Reference 2406, with Landeron 13 movement. With the 454xx serial number on the case, the movement will not have either a serial number or any Heuer markings (ED Heuer or the shield). I might have expected to see the flat Heuer logo, rather than the later-style "deeper" shield, but they may have been transitioning around this time. Seems that the case has been polished; you will need much larger photos, or the Geiger counter and black light, to determine whether the lume on the dial and hands is original or has been refinished. It would be good to see the case-back, as these were either snap-back (earlier) or slotted / screw-back (later). I believe this one is slotted, but it's difficult to be certain.

Aquariusmatic · Aug 10, 2020

Jeff Stein
It's a bit too late in the evening to work my way through all the responses, but this watch looks basically OK to me. It's the Reference 2406, with Landeron 13 movement. With the 454xx serial number on the case, the movement will not have either a serial number or any Heuer markings (ED Heuer or the shield). I might have expected to see the flat Heuer logo, rather than the later-style "deeper" shield, but they may have been transitioning around this time. Seems that the case has been polished; you will need much larger photos, or the Geiger counter and black light, to determine whether the lume on the dial and hands is original or has been refinished. It would be good to see the case-back, as these were either snap-back (earlier) or slotted / screw-back (later). I believe this one is slotted, but it's difficult to be certain.

I have a black light, what else do you recommend to check in the short amount of time a coffee with a stranger takes? Thanks

rahilb · Aug 10, 2020

Jeff Stein
It's a bit too late in the evening to work my way through all the responses, but this watch looks basically OK to me. It's the Reference 2406, with Landeron 13 movement. With the 454xx serial number on the case, the movement will not have either a serial number or any Heuer markings (ED Heuer or the shield). I might have expected to see the flat Heuer logo, rather than the later-style "deeper" shield, but they may have been transitioning around this time. Seems that the case has been polished; you will need much larger photos, or the Geiger counter and black light, to determine whether the lume on the dial and hands is original or has been refinished. It would be good to see the case-back, as these were either snap-back (earlier) or slotted / screw-back (later). I believe this one is slotted, but it's difficult to be certain.

Wow, this is suprising to me; I thought the bridges & caseback were always signed and those you see with unsigned bridges are cobbled together.

Jeff Stein · Aug 10, 2020

rahilb
Wow, this is suprising to me; I thought the bridges & caseback were always signed and those you see with unsigned bridges are cobbled together.

Clearly, the earlier Landeron 13 movements are not signed and they have no serial numbers; on the later ones, we start seeing serial numbers (401xxx) and Heuer markings, usually the shield, rather than the "Ed. Heuer & Co.".

Jeff Stein · Aug 10, 2020

Aquariusmatic
I have a black light, what else do you recommend to check in the short amount of time a coffee with a stranger takes? Thanks

Use the black light to determine whether the lume on the dial and hands seems to be the same age; also check whether the lume fades quickly (radium) or more slowly (tritium). Good loupe will be the most important tool of all. .

jhross98 · Aug 10, 2020

jhross98
There is just no way the movement shown in OP pics is correct for the watch

I'd steer very very clear of this franken

i retract my comment in light of jeff steins' comments. he has forgotten more about Heuer than I would ever know.

Aquariusmatic · Aug 10, 2020

Ok, so the coffee got shifted for today and I've reviewed the watch.
The plexi in real life is throwing a yellowish cast onto the dial, the dial is without marks or cracks in my opinion it's not a redial but I'm no expert.
The indices and the hands light up under black light up instantly and show almost the same tone to them, there is no residual illumination when i turn the light off - dead completely dea.d.
The case back looks like a snapback but has small cuts along the edges and it screws on and off with ease and tightens precisely and does not skip or pop. Pushers work and are pretty firm not something I'm used to, but not giving me a grinding "you're gonna break something" kind of feedback.
The case is around 36mm in size give or take a few mm I had my 36mm supercompresor on me and it looked about the same.
The watch has NOT been serviced as per prior information - the watchmaker that the seller brought the watch to declined doing work on the watch and said to the owner to leave it alone and not "cook up a sh*t stew" .
Case has been polished i think numerous times but in person it looks a bit better than what the photographs from the seller indicate - at least to my eyes and I've seen a fair bit of ruined Geneves with needle thin lugs and perfect mirrror finishes on all sides - this is not there yet but not unmolested in any way.

I did not do the trade, on the count of "needing to think about it" but after seeing the watch in person I'm even more inclined to do it. Just need a slight nudge or push from people in the know.

Man i love this forum, i've learned so much about Omegas just through lurking here and to have Mr. Stein give his info and all the other forum members is priceless. I'm growing more and more thankful to be a part of this community by the day!

MRC · Aug 10, 2020

Aquariusmatic
I did not do the trade, on the count of "needing to think about it" but after seeing the watch in person I'm even more inclined to do it. Just need a slight nudge or push from people in the know.

It sure as hell floats my boat, so if it still floats yours go do it!

Govt WARNING: Your boat may have greater draft than mine......

queriver · Aug 10, 2020

Aquariusmatic
I did not do the trade, on the count of "needing to think about it" but after seeing the watch in person I'm even more inclined to do it. Just need a slight nudge or push from people in the know.

Here's a nudge... In your 1st post you said you loved the dial. You're comfortable about the case, movement, pushers. The size is good. Apparently you can include in the deal watches you've had difficulty unloading. These are all positives. My only question to myself would be, if I want to be able to wear the watch, will I have difficulty getting parts? It's a Landeron so hopefully not but I'm no expert, and even if they're hard to find, I'd still probably do the deal. I would want to wear this watch.

Skrotis · Aug 10, 2020

Do the trade and if you not happy send me a pm and I buy the watch.
This way you cant loose you get ride of your stuff you tryed to sell for long time.

Jeff Stein · Aug 11, 2020

This looks like a watch that you will enjoy very much . . . I say "go for it"!!

Jeff Stein · Aug 11, 2020

Skrotis
Do the trade and if you not happy send me a pm and I buy the watch.
This way you cant loose you get ride of your stuff you tryed to sell for long time.

I agree that this is a good strategy . . . vintage watches from recognized brands (like Heuer and Omega) will prove to be far more liquid that old camera equipment. I hope that you will be successful in acquiring the watch and enjoying it for many years!!

rcs914 · Aug 11, 2020

This is worth exactly nothing as an opinion as I know nothing about old Heuer - but I think I'd do the trade too if it clears out some seriously unwanted and bulky photo equipment. Effectively you are getting the watch for free, since it sounds like you are almost at the point of junking that other stuff.