Hi all,

Picked up a Heuer Carrera from a seller with a good reputation and wondered what you all thought.

Sold as a ref 3647, original condition, recently serviced and with a 12 month warranty.
Crystal has been replaced, there is some uneven discolouration of the dial from 3-6 and 9-11 (roughly). Case edges are sharp.
It winds well, but the chrono reset pusher is a bit spongy to press.

Just wondered if you could give any opinions about it, agree the reference is correct, suggest a rough value?
Any thoughts on the discoloured dial?

Grateful as always
T

 

Looks good to me… I’m not even sure I can see the discolouration.

It’s basically the first execution of the 3647S, but the second dial type (sunburst finish instead of eggshell). Crown looks correct, as do the hands. Case is nice and sharp which is definitely a big plus for the Carrera.

Values are hard though as, to be honest, Heuer prices are all over the place at the moment. A few years back I’d have said this was easily a €5000 watch, but I don’t think a private seller could expect to get that much these days. Some of the earlier eggshell ones do seem to do well, but that’s also a bit of a lottery as I’ve seen sales over a crazy range of prices in 2021. Also 2447 prices seem to have held better than 3647 prices.

If it was mine and I was selling then I’d be very happy with €4500-5000, and wouldn’t be surprised if it only ended up with offers around €3500. This is all dependent on the Valjoux 92 being a correctly signed Heuer one.

 

Looks nice. It’s not quite the first execution, stated above they had slightly different dials (also without T’s) and unsigned crowns.

Lovely watches though.

The V92/72 are the smoothest chronos I’ve had so if something feels off I’d check with the dealer.

 

I was typing before engaging my brain. I was using the marker length as the differentiator between the two executions (i.e. long and thin is first exec, short and fat is second exec), but this is really more for the 2447s. So had this been a 2447 I’d call it first execution Carrera with 2nd dial type.

 

That's great feedback. Thanks. I picked it up for a fair bit less than that so hopefully I've not done too badly.

I've not opened the back yet to have a look at the movement but I probably could do so (new to this hobby so haven't built up the guts yet!)

Will try to get the pusher looked at.

Here's a picture with the discolouration outlined - makes it a little more obvious.

 

Copy/pasting my answer from the other thread-

This is a 3647 as stated, looks like a decent example to me. Can't make out the discoloration you say is there - these are metallic dials though so could just be the light playing with your eyes.

Value is probably US $3500 or so. (These are the most common '60s Carrera reference)

I don't think there were eggshell-white 3647s - just the 2447 model. This is the only execution of the 3647S, with the earliest ones coming without the T marking on the dial (and a hex-shaped caseback).

 

I'd say its condition in general would put it higher than that. The crown may be correct for a late 7xxxx serial but probably not an earlier example. Mine (722xx) has a plain crown.

Crosthwaite & Gavin say there were eggshell examples before the hex/poly caseback.

 

I think these are eggshell…

 

Yes there were egg shell 3647s. See Eric Wind’s Instagram. He just posted one he sold.

 

Seems those were the transitional serials for crowns. My 2447N with a 69xxx was unsigned; my 2447NT with a 78xxx is signed. I wouldn't disqualify any watch in the 7xxxx range either way though really.

On these I stand corrected! Never seen one. Must have been a very small production.

 

3647 egg shell is my grail. Something about the 3647 symmetry makes me prefer this to the big daddy 2447.

back to the question - watch is worth $3500. I have one as well. Google the heuer carrera price guide.

 

@clundp if you’re using the guide then how are you grading this one ?

 

I'm not sure why others are not seeing the dial damage, it's a bit distracting for me personally. I guess the lacquer has degraded in an uneven way.

 

I need to see it in person as well as the movement. But I would say this looks good. It's so hard with these because it's all up to the buyer. Most 3647 I have seen are in worse shape. Some people might be annoyed by the hands and markers on this watch. Others might love it. I feel confident if listed as an auction it would fetch around $3500 give or take a few franklins $$$.

This watch and patina on a Taupe strap tho!

 

I'm also seeing the dial damage, the brownish colour stands out compared to the silver sunburst.

 

Yeah I think it’s quite attractive overall, so was a bit surprised that you referred to the guide and then mentioned $3500 as a valuation. Currently grade “fair” is £2000-2750 (so circa $2800-3850), and grade “good” is £3000-4000 ($4200-5600). By the grade I reckon it’s probably $4500 but it’s still a bit of a hard time to sell Heuers. Great for buyers though.

And yes the damage is pretty clear now it’s been highlighted. So many photos are taken with similar looking reflections that it just appeared like that in the original post.

 

I'm not quite understanding the OP's question as to value.....it was just purchased, so that is the value.


What am I missing here?

Nice Carrera, BTW

 

At the last flea market I went to there was a guy selling coins. I dug through his pile and got £5.50 in usable modern British currency, and for that he charged me €3. So what is the value of my stack of British coins ?

And no smart-arse Brexit related answers please

 

Yes you are right, it should be $4500. Hodinkee sold one for $4500 recently as well.

 

Hodinkee prices are like Phillips or Analog Shift prices. Can't be used as a guideline for actual sales...