Which one would you choose? Autavia heuer 7763 or 7863? Update: final result

Shabbaz · May 1, 2021

If you could choose between the two, which one would you choose? Both can be bought probably for app EUR 6500.

The hands of the 7863 are probably relumed, the lower pusher is questionable and the bezel got a ding.

Not sure what's wrong with the 7763. To me it looks good. It's equipped with a valjoux 7733. The dealer said he bought it from the first owner.

By the way, the info here about which model came with which caliber does'nt look complete.

http://www.onthedash.com/autavia-early-in-depth/

If people use this as a source, this source does'nt mention the 7863 came also with a 7734 valjoux and the 7763 came also with a valjoux 7733.

Shabbaz · May 1, 2021

Shabbaz · May 1, 2021

Shabbaz · May 1, 2021

I tend to the 7763. It looks in better condition and more original. Also 40mm case. Cleaner dial.

S.H. · May 1, 2021

Me too. Cleaner dial, useful bezel (who needs a turning tach scale?) Also, (only from quickly looking at it), it seems to be a cleaner watch overall. I somehow don't like the look of the second one.

6500 is a lot for what it is though (I don't follow heuer price, I only know they are a bit silly).

S.H. · May 1, 2021

Also, May 1st, 7:30 AM: 😒 You should be lounging in bed instead of obsessing about vintage Heuer 😁😜

Lurk41 · May 1, 2021

7763 too; same reasons 😀
not yet mentioned but some nasty dings on the 7863 too: lug, bezel...

ps: different timezone? or you should be in bed too instead of answering to people obsessed about vintage Heuer 😁

Shabbaz · May 1, 2021

S.H.
Also, May 1st, 7:30 AM: 😒 You should be lounging in bed instead of obsessing about vintage Heuer 😁😜

Haha. I'm going to see a doctor next week for my OCD.

Yes, prices are insane. But I just want one. I think it's a attractive watch. I rather buy a good looking HA 7763 then a beat up 60's speedy.

S.H. · May 1, 2021

Shabbaz
Haha. I'm going to see a doctor next week for my OCD.

Yes, prices are insane. But I just want one. I think it's a attractive watch. I rather buy a good looking HA 7763 then a beat up 60's speedy.

Sure, this autavia is quite well put together. Before committing maybe look at vintage Sinn offerings. Last week a V72 panda (gorgeous) came up on ebay. Very fine looking.

WatchCor · May 1, 2021

The 7763 would be my choice and not only because it has Finnish provenance. It looks "cleaner" without the date and simpler bezel.

Btw the Dealer states it has a Valjoux 7733 not a 7333. Not sure if a typo on their sales page or here.

Shabbaz · May 1, 2021

And

WatchCor
Btw the Dealer states it has a Valjoux 7733 not a 7333. Not sure if a typo on their sales page or here.

Yes. Typo here. Thnx!

Shabbaz · May 3, 2021

So I've received pictures of the movement and serial of the 7763. I noticed the serial number on the watch does not match Autavia Ref table from on the dash. The table suggests ref number 11xxx but this watch has a 188xxx serial number and a 7763 engraving on the other side. What is your opinion on this dial and case configuration? Does this discrepancy suggest the watch is a re cased?
Any comment or information will be extremely helpful for me. Thanks guys

MRC · May 3, 2021

The most recent research on Autavias is in this book by Rich Crosthwaite and Paul Gavin. https://www.blurb.co.uk/books/10252503-heuer-autavia-chronographs-1962-85

List price is £179.99 but there's a 35% discount on your first purchase. Sorry, I don't have the Autavia book, only the Carrera version, but if I was considering an Autavia I'd get it before looking at FS ads 😉

Shabbaz · May 3, 2021

Thnx! But is that book so specific that we can find the serial range regarding certain models? Does anyone have this book? If so, what does it say about the 7763c Mark 1 and serialnumbers?

MRC · May 3, 2021

Shabbaz
Thnx! But is that book so specific that we can find the serial range regarding certain models?

The Carrera book certainly does and I cannot imagine the Autavia or Monaco versions being different. For example my 7753NS comes within the quoted range of ~4000 serials and my 3647S in one of the four quoted ranges covering 16.000 numbers -- it was in production for six times longer than the 7753s.

timoss · May 3, 2021

Maybe post a question here: https://forums.calibre11.com/

Shabbaz · May 3, 2021

timoss
Maybe post a question here: https://forums.calibre11.com/

https://forums.calibre11.com/threads/which-one-would-you-choose-7763-or-7863.131014/

😁

Shabbaz · May 3, 2021

I've looked at every 7763 on the web and it's either a 11xx or a 13xx. Although I did find this 7683 with a 7730 and a serial of 16xx or 18xx

https://www.vwcweb.com/EN/Scheda/81/heuer/autavia-ref-7763-compressor-chronograph

Andrew C · May 4, 2021

Shabbaz
Thnx! But is that book so specific that we can find the serial range regarding certain models? Does anyone have this book? If so, what does it say about the 7763c Mark 1 and serialnumbers?

These books are outstanding. I’d go out on a limb and say that if you are going to buy a 6,500 dollar watch that first buying the $200 insurance policy by buying the books is a smart move.

Shabbaz · May 4, 2021

Andrew C
These books are outstanding. I’d go out on a limb and say that if you are going to buy a 6,500 dollar watch that first buying the $200 insurance policy by buying the books is a smart move.

That's probably good advice. However, I never bought a Omega book but I did have around 150 omega's. So it's possible to buy a watch without having a book.

I just want one 7763 (or similar like the 7863). I'm not starting a collection in them.