Heuer flieger mid 1930s prototype?

Greetings to all!

Just recently this watch landed into my mailbox. It comes from the stock of a skilled watchmaker established in Czechia. I have bought already some super nice watches from him. He got a very good taste and picks only the best watches available.

This find actually is a different animal and blown my mind. It deals obviously with the Heuer 1930s flieger monopusher chronograph. Since there are not many pre-reference pieces, I am aware of just handful of them, it is very hard to make a qualified comparative analyses. There are many similarities but oddities too among available references.

Hence I would like to hear your opinion, thoughts and remarks.

Facts:

• case size approx 40 mm
• Valjoux 22, 15 ligne movement
• authentic and unique dial, handset
• early waterpoof case
• coinedge rotating bezel with proper pointer
• very low serial number stamped on the movement 4xxx

Cons

• unmarked caseback
• circular marks on the insert on the case most probably from the pressing tool

Provenance:
Based on the seller, watch comes from the military airport Bechyňe in Czechia, established in 1954.

The watch is still at the premises of the seller. The only information I have are the ones disclosed above. Images are part of the description elaborated by the seller.

Thank you for your comments and valuable insights!

Luke

nice watch, that shows a lot of typical details from 30s pilot watches

a original, authentic pilot watch in my opinion shoult have perhabs
lume numerals (in radium) on the dial, but

let's wait for opinions from experts in these special watches

Thank you guys for the comments, appreciate it!

Yes, I expected the same, Breguet numerals covered with radium. But, Heuer never did it. I have found more chronographs from 1930s, that has a similar design of the dial, gilted dials. Interesting thing is though the lume dots, that in some way solve the problems with the readability under bad light.

My theory is, that this is an experimental dial. Transitory period between the breguet -> arabic numerals, that perfectly fits into the time period this was supposed to be elaborated.

I don't think this watch was intended as a bomber but regular flieger chronograph.

As part of my research, here are some interesting Heuer from the era, that got some similarites with mine flieger chronograph. One of them is particularly special and shares the same design feature, early waterproof case, that most probably serves as a diver.

All in all, it is very exciting to scrape deeper below the surface of these super early Heuer chronographs!

https://www.chrono24.de/heuer/heuer...6220310.htm?searchHash=4de685f2_fP0vFE&pos=40

Yep, I am aware of this particular specimen. It is a predecessor of ref. 358, 348 respectively.

So much similarities yet oddities too. As I refer to my initial post. Also, there large crown chronos are made of a chrome- nickel plated bodies, mine has SS body ( assumption, I need to explore in detail, when having it on the desk ).

Largest database oriented on vintage Heuers doesn't refer to these large crown Heuer fliegers, but obviously they are out there 😀 http://www.onthedash.com/watches/flieger/

the big question is, wich from the different watches in this thread are original?

Million dollar question.

I have read all accessible materials online, in my collection I am having four other Heuer chronographs from the era, that are 100% authentic. So I could very closely inspect all peculiar details.

I have other subsequently important questions among them this one has a particular significant relevance: How on earth would one fake in great level of details and craftsmanship needed to dial of a flieger on my initial post? It is very detailed, complicated detail that makes me "believe" it is authentic. I don't see one problem on the dial, hands, movement,...

The biggest question mark is the case, yet very precisely crafted, aged proportionally to other parts of the watch.

One important disclosure I have overlooked, not every early fliegers from Heuer of radium numerals and has numbered movements.
Reference: http://www.onthedash.com/chronograph/flieger-reference-358/

Thank you all for your expertise and opinion shared in advance!

Luke

this is what a lot of gifted people do since many decades

Yesterday, this special Heuer arrived!

Here's my observation:

• body is most probably alloy, chromeplated, case back and bezel stainless steel most probably also plated with chrome, where only upper ring rotates, base remains fixed
• diameter is approx. 38,5mm, that is very close to the ref. 348, but 3-4mm smaller than other known piece
• radium is still active, but looses it's intensity rapidly, same color tone and deterioration, hence expect it to be original
• hands exhibit equal patina, perfectly aligned with the dial proportions and applied graphics ( minute track, tachymetre scale)
• rotating pointer is rather thick, extremely low clearances between the lume spots
• welding professionaly made, equal to other large crown Military chronographs of the era
• dial printing almost identical to the reference 358
• numbered Valjoux 22, 15 ligne movement equal to the ref. 358
• circular marks on the inserts of the case similar as found on another Heuer Flieger large crown chronograph currently on the market

I think, there is too much "coincidence" leading me to my final assumption, it is a prototype or custom made genuine Heuer Flieger.

The last part of my research that remains uncovered is the absence of the serial number on the case back. Heuer always stamped it's cases, funny thing is, that known fakes are stamped too. Expected range should be anywhere from 29xxx to 36xxx.

Enjoy the images and have a fruitful weekend!

Luke

P.S: I made a side by side comparison of a genuine early Heuer chronograph from my collection ref. 2403 sector dial

if another one would share your final assumtion, then there are already to of you

however - you should have fun with this watch

I like these monopushers! 👍

You are definitely correct!

That's why I am sharing my assumptions to be further discussed and elaborated.

Just yesterday, upon confirming the reception to the seller, I was informed, that this Heuer came from a delicate and important collection of watches purchased as a lot in the past by my supplier, respected watchmaker.

Out of which I bought one piece already. Nothing else but very desirable and very rare Omega CK 1107 pocket watch, that comes with the gilt sandwich dial, triple knife edge case and staggering 57mm stainless steel body.