Why This Watch Matters Who doesn't love a good compressor case? Heuer was one of the best brands to utilize this cutting edge 60s tech with their Autavia. The Full Story Heuer introduced the earliest Autavia wristwatches in the early 1960s, and they featured a screw-back case in nine different variations through the production range. With "big eye" registers, the very first of these Autavias have come to achieve some extremely strong auction results. By 1968, Heuer had redesigned the case of the Autavia to utilize the latest water-resistance technology in Switzerland – Ervin Piquerez S.A's, or EPSA's, compressor case. EPSA was a case manufacturer who provided some of the most well-known brands in Switzerland with water-resistant dive watch cases throughout the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. The brand's compressor cases relied on an ingenious principle: They were constructed so that as water pressure on the outside of the case increased, the gaskets would be further compressed so that the watch actually became more water resistant the deeper you went. For that reason, the crowns and pushers are not even screw-down (as you will find, by contrast, in the Oyster case from Rolex, among others). Following the screw-back Autavias came what we have here today, the ref. 7763C Mark I Autavia. Notably similar to the Cup-winning "Rindt" is the dial layout and design: a reverse panda motif. The "C" here stands for compressor, as in compressor case. Rather than a screw down caseback, these second generation Autavias featured a nifty design in which the caseback was actually controlled by the surrounding water pressure; the gaskets tighten accordingly to ensure water resistance up to 100 meters (330 feet). Specific to the Mark I compressor variety are smaller teeth on the external rotating bezel, polished steel hour and minute hands containing tritium lume, and a white sweep chronograph seconds hand. Heuer offered these with a few different bezel variations, and this one has a Tachymeter scale on it. The example we have today stands out thanks to its great overall condition and nice lume patina. The compressor case proved over time to not be quite as water resistant as the screw-down caseback, with companies like Heuer eventually reverting back to screw-backs and threads. Due to the slightly lower water resistancy, these compressors are less often seen in clean condition, such as this one. The case itself has remained strong, showing facets on the lugs as well. This Mark I ref. 7763C Autavia is really a stunner in the metal – we're extremely excited to offer it. We paired this compressor cased Autavia with our Sedona strap in green for that every day, easy wearing look we know and love. The Fine Print Maker: HeuerModel: AutaviaReference: 7763CYear: 1960sCase No: 134243Material: Stainless steelDimensions: 40mm diameter; 12.5mm thickness Crystal: PlexiglassLume: Yes, tritiumCaliber: Heuer signed Valjoux, manually-wound, caliber 7730Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE The Sedona Watch Strap In Sonoran DesertLug Width: 20mmBox/Papers: No What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - Compressor style case- Reverse panda motif- Great overall condition Things To Know: - Scratches and nicks on case- Wear to edge of bezel This Autavia is in overall great and hone condition. The case is strong with scratches and some nicks along the edges and sides. The bottom edge of the 11 o'clock lug has some nicks. The facets or bevels on the lugs are clearly visible. The caseback text is visible, a rare condition note on these cases since these engravings were light to begin with. The numbers are visible between the lugs. There is some scratching between both sets of lugs. The rear of the lugs show some scratches from strap removal and placement. The dial has developed a fine and consistent patina throughout, and the hands and hour markers have developed patina also. The dial has some small spots throughout. The hour markers have developed some dark patina around each one. The white sub-registers are clean with a light patina. The lume on the hands has developed a pleasing patina and aged to a tone darker than that of the dial. The lume on the dial has developed a patina that presents as creamy and some of the plots show normal signs of slight degradation. The bezel is in very good condition with light wear particularly on the edge and side. The dial, case, movement, and crown are signed by Heuer. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
