I've really taken to 60's Heuers recently. I aquired a lovely 7220 Camaro NT earlier in the year and a 3637S Carrera arrived today. I'd appreciate any comments/thoughts positive and negative as I'm very much a novice with these. From what I think I know, it's an early 3647 first gen, with plain crown, narrow markers and no T on the dial (although I believe it's still tritium), powered by the V92. Serial is 61xxx, stamped between the lugs. Model 3647 isn't stamped between the lugs. This might have worn off, although I have a vague memory of reading somewhere that some 45's didn't have this stamp? It's found its way to me via the grandson of the original owner. It's well dinged up but I believe unpolished and I think it'll come up lovely after service. Most of the blemishes are on the crystal not the dial. There ate some losses to the minute track on the rehaut and the crystal is cracked, which I've heard are a pig to find. At least one of the pushers is also wrong. Have I missed something obvious and bought a dog?
Serial number lines up with the no-T dial and lack of model number between the lugs. Also the big, unsigned crown. (The 3647 was only available with the earlier-generation dial indices) You're spot-on that this is an early example, probably dates to about early 1965, maybe even late 1964. The case is in great condition, which is important with these. Pusher and crystal will indeed be difficult to find but you may have luck at the Chronotrader forum. This one is still a in my book!
I just picked one up last week... I am happy that I went to heuer and not Rolex but the day will likely come, nice piece... new crystal and maybe a service and you are golden...
I would personally have it re-lumed/restored by Abel Court or Craig at Chronodeco. Nice warm-toned lume markers would really make that dial pop. Originality counts to a certain extent, but this is a situation where, in my humble opinion, a subtle restoration would turn it into an outstanding piece. Cheers!
Cheers gents. The case definitely has its fair share of scratches and dings but it looks pretty much unpolished, so will certainly be staying as it is. As for the dial, Rob I know where you're coming from. The lume is certainly more of the mouldy green variety than the nice yellow kind. I'm reluctant to change it as it is original, but I can't disagree, a good relume would bring the dial out more. I'd have problems getting it to Abel Court or Chronodeco as I believe they're both in the U.S. and I'm in the UK. Our customs are extremely keen and there's a reasonable chance I'd get stung with import duty when the watch was sent back to me, which is why I tend to get my pieces serviced in the UK. That brings me into another problem though as I need at least one pusher (ideally two) and a new crystal. Are there any generic ones available or do I need Heuer? Can Abel source these if I could get it to him?
Abel is in Belgium, so that may or may not change your situation. He should be able to source pushers and a crystal, whether generic or Heuer (I'm not sure if there are generics)
Awesome! I presumed he was in the states. I better get in touch before we get dragged out of the EU and need to pay customs here as well!
Do! That watch is worth the work IMO - it's very difficult for me not to buy every 2447 or 3647 I come across
Nice pick up David. I like the two register dials. I'd probably clean it up an wear it a bit before deciding on relume or not... I kinda dig it with the blackened lume dots and the black subdial hands.
Nice find! Looks good and honest overall, I have a 3647N with a 604xx serial that Mark Moss helped me date to late '65. Yours has to be one of the latest SWISS only dials I've seen. As has been said, this watch should have a large unsigned crown and no reference number between the upper lugs, so you're good there.
Thanks to all who commented. I was reasonably confident it was correct but great to get confirmation. It immediately looks better with a quick crystal polish and it's now away for a service.
Nope. The early 3647 Carreras, like the 2447's, we're just marked SWISS. I believe the general consensus is that they are still tritium, they just precede the legislation making the 'T' marking a requirement.