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  1. Jkuback Jan 25, 2020

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    Dear fellows

    I am more the reader than the writer, but this time I would like to share a nice story of watch collecting:

    As everyday a good friend of mine and I were scanning the daily private sales section in the newspaper. Very rarely one can find some treasures there. This was one of such days: a Heuer Carrera, really bad pictures but was looking promising. My friend sent it to me because he knew a nice Carrera is on my list.

    We contacted the seller, he was an absolutely great guy selling the watch for bis mother. It was lying in a drawer for 13! years ::book::

    We met (my friend is a watchmaker) had a Coffee, and more important: a look on the watch:

    Heuer Carrera 3647t polycase First execution: condition sleeping but absolutely great! Chrono not working but very promising (First Pic)


    IMG_20200113_203826_347.jpg

    This was a good day ::popcorn::

    Of course we bought the beauty, my friend serviced it and repaired the chrono. Found out that everything was correct. Serial Number matching the polycase pointing to an early execution:

    MVIMG_20200112_174632.jpg

    What I now own is a Heuer Carrera which was on my list, met a nice seller, had an adventure with my watchmaker friend and in the end a rare First execution Heuer, perfectly original in great condition - Ed Heuer signed Valjoux 92, Swiss only dial pointing Most probably to Radium, Red Tachy - I am truely grateful :D

    MVIMG_20200117_230807.jpg

    Thanks for reading, would love to have your thoughts and a great fellows chat :)
     
    Edited Jan 25, 2020
  2. harrymai86 Jan 25, 2020

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    My thoughts? Dibs plz
     
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  3. ewand Jan 25, 2020

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    I don't think it's Radium, just that they hadn't started marking the T for Tritium, which was correct for the earliest reference. The crown should be unsigned as well, is it correct?

    Nice watch though - you have to be careful with poly-back Carreras as there are some dodgy ones out there...

    http://www.onthedash.com/chronograph/carrera-45-decimal-minutes/
     
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  4. Jkuback Jan 25, 2020

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    We were quite cautious as it's pretty easy to get a watch with just the wrong back. But it seems to be right: unsigned crown, swiss only on the dial, also the polished ground for the tachy scale, movement signed Ed Heuer and finally the case with correct serial range ::book::

    Regarding Radium: I am not sure on this (need to consult a Geiger...) but there are articles which mention that the very early dials may have Radium. Will try to find the article again
     
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  5. Jkuback Jan 25, 2020

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  6. Jkuback Jan 25, 2020

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    And a bit better picture - finally.

    I did not polish the crystal as I found it better matching the general appearence - will see if I can stand this or grab the poly watch :D

    MVIMG_20200125_104338.jpg
     
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  7. JimJupiter Jan 25, 2020

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    It's most likely Radium. I have a very early 3647 Decimal and the geiger gives me some realistic numbers:

    DSC_7883.JPG DSC_7843.JPG
     
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  8. abrod520 Jan 25, 2020

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    Lovely lovely example. Congratulations!
     
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  9. Jkuback Jan 26, 2020

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    I also found some service pictures, for those who are interested:

    IMG-20200112-WA0007.jpg IMG-20200112-WA0003.jpg IMG-20200112-WA0008.jpg IMG-20200112-WA0002.jpg
     
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  10. MRC Jan 26, 2020

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    I've just been through Crosthwaite & Gavin and found no mention of radium, just that the early 63/64 Carrera were made before various countries made the `T' marking a requirement.

    @Jkuback Have you given Jeff Stein / Mark Moss, joint keepers of The List, the serial number?

    Lovely watch, my `S' says welcome

    PB140252m.JPG
     
  11. cholack Jan 26, 2020

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    Nice catch! And a superb example
     
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  12. Jkuback Jan 27, 2020

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    Thanks for your message :thumbsup: How do I provide the serial number?
     
  13. MRC Jan 27, 2020

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    Look between the lugs at 6 o'clock, like this although your number will be probably 5xxxx, maybe 6xxxx.

    72218-2m.jpg

    Then email carrera<underscore>table<underscore>mm<at>btinternet<dot>com with what you know about it and photos if you like. Address needs to be substituted appropriately, of course.

    If you want to know more about 1960/70s Carreras the standard (and only) work is
    https://www.blurb.co.uk/b/9428004-heuer-carrera-chronographs-1963-85

    Expensive but worth it.
     
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  14. bazamu wincer, not a bidder Jan 27, 2020

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    Really terrific catch, the dial is in superb condition. I love these early dials with the metallic / slanted outer track. They may have been harder to read than the second execution dials but they look so much cooler on the wrist. Welcome to the Carrera Club!
     
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  15. Jkuback Jan 30, 2020

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    Thank you :) will do so - I knew the Number, but did mit know where to send it ;)
     
  16. Jkuback Jan 30, 2020

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    Thank you, really appreciate your comment :)
     
  17. durri70 Jan 30, 2020

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    What’s the name of that newspaper :)
    Great catch
     
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  18. plibou Feb 4, 2020

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    Nice found :thumbsup:
     
  19. w154 Feb 4, 2020

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    Edited Feb 4, 2020
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