Schenelle Dsouza
Swiss luxury watchmaker Tag Heuer is all set to celebrate the 60th birthday of its very special Autavia line with the launch of three stunning but limited edition watches.
While Autavia was launched in 1933, it only became associated with wristwatch chronographs in 1962. Before that, Autavia was responsible for creating dashboard timers for cars and aircrafts.
The new limited edition line includes two Tag Heuer Autavia Chronometer Flyback in variants, one with an all-black design, and the other with a silver dial; and a Tag Heuer Autavia COSC GMT.
Tag Heuer Autavia Chronometer Flyback
Bringing back the flyback function, Tag Heuer’s Autavia Chronometer Flyback uses the brand’s newly developed Calibre Heuer 02 COSC Flyback movement which offers an 80-hour power reserve, allowing users to reset the chronograph hand and commence a new timing without having to stop it first. This is a life-saver when it comes to high-pressure situations like recording lap times at the racetrack.
The overall design of the Autavia Chronometer is a modernism meets functionality, for the avid adventure seeker. A modern 42mm black PVD-finished steel case holds the dial and bi-directional ceramic bezel. Unlike the all-black variant, the silver Flyback has a more polished look with the same black ceramic bezel and a contrasting silver dial. Another notable difference between the two dials is the mellow green details on the black dial that glow in the dark.
The three subdials are strategically placed at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock so as to not make the dial look too cluttered. The back of the dial is also quite interesting. A transparent sapphire back case discloses the inner workings of TAG Heuer’s meticulous mechanism, with brand engravings and product specs on the outside.
Photo Courtesy: TAG Heuer
The sleek dial is held together with a striking black large-scale alligator leather strap, and a vibrant red leather inlay on the inside of the strap.
Tag Heuer Autavia COSC GMT
A three-hand GMT, the Tag Heuer Autavia COSC GMT is the only GMT model of its kind in the series. Powered by Calibre 7 COSC GMT movement that allows you to manually set an additional time zone.
The dial is surrounded by a two-toned, blue-and-black ceramic bezel that sits on top of a polished stainless-steel case, while under the hood the watch has a 50-hour power reserve. It’s the only one of the three that comes with a stainless-steel bracelet.
The GMT unlike the flyback has a closed caseback, topped with an ornate engraving of a wire wheel and an airplane propeller as tribute to both halves of the Autavia name (a combination of automotive and aviation).
All three models in the series offer a respectably sporty 100 meters of water resistance.
The limited-edition Autavia models are all available for sale on the Tag Heuer website and are priced between $4,200 and $6,950.
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