Why This Watch Matters One of the best chronograph makers in the world at the top of its game. The Full Story Heuer is, at its core, a tool watch maker – specifically a chronograph company. Whether it's stopwatches or wrist chronographs, this company knows what it takes to time events. Heuer began offering two and three register chronographs in the 1930s and early 1940s respectively. Both models were offered in a few varieties – with black or white dials, lume or non-lume, waterproof screw-back or snap casebacks, stainless steel or gold cases. The ref. 2443 we have here dates to the 1940s, a couple decades prior to the famed Carrera's release and dominance in the 1960s. As with other Heuer chronographs from this era, we see a lot of design cues that would eventually be found in the Carrera. It seems as though the company was working toward that legendary model for years, earning many of these earlier models the nickname of "Pre-Carreras." What stands out about this watch to us is its crisp overall condition with a very strong case and clean dial. The gold hands and dial accents really surprise us on the wrist just like many vintage two-tone watches tend to. A bit of warm patina has turned these gold elements into a real standout detail. We paired this Heuer with our dark olive calfskin strap for a timeless and classic HODINKEE feel. Nothing is more classic than a vintage Heuer on a simple dark strap. The Fine Print Maker: HeuerModel: ChronographReference: 2443Year: 1940sCase No: 77949Movement No: 452039Material: Stainless steelDimensions: 35mm diameter; 13mm thicknessCrystal: PlexiglassLume: N/ACaliber: Heuer signed Valjoux, manually-wound, caliber 72Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE Dark Olive Calfskin Watch StrapLug Width: 18mmBox/Papers: No What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - Excellent overall condition- Valjoux 72 - Gold hands and dial details- Two-tone dial Things To Know: - Scratches on case- Patina on hands This Heuer is in excellent, honest condition. The case is strong with scratches and light nicks. The facets are crisp on the lugs. The back of the lugs have some light scratches. The caseback is clean overall with a few scratches. The back of the 11 o'clock lug has a light watchmakers' engraving. The dial has a light patina overall but presents in stunning condition. The dial has a couple little spots of wear and some very light scratches throughout. The engine turned sub-dials are clean with few light marks and some patina. The hands and hour markers have developed some patina. The hands have developed some more concentrated patina, particularly the hour hand. The dial, case, and movement are signed by Heuer. The crown is correctly unsigned and is of the correct shape for this reference. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
