Heuer Chronograph 1611 Hand Winding

Heuer manual winding 1611 chronograph with the Valjoux 7765 hand wound movement, just been serviced. It dates to between 1978 to 1980. This Heuer is often referred to as the French Heuer as many of them were manufactured in France by Monnin. However this one has got “Ebauche Swiss” on the dial so is a Swiss made one. It is definitely an unconventional watch with it’s distinct sub dial lay out thanks to the Valjoux 7765 movement. The date is surrounded by a design akin to the chronograph sub dials which makes it more symmetrical. The other unconventional look is the open lugs case shape . This variant is the hardest to find with the silver dial, blue sub dials and orange hands, again adding to the uniqueness of it. This is not only with its rarity, but the strikingly contrasting colour scheme. It has a quick set date, with a roulette date wheel, this being alternating black and red numbering. The movement is in excellent condition and has just been serviced. The case back is engraved with “prijs minister van landsverdediging” which is Flemish and translates to “prize minister of national defense” So it appears to be a presentation watch to the Belgian or Dutch Minister of Defence. Comes on replacement fine link steel bracelet with sliding adjustment clasp. 

Model Reference: 1611
Year: Circa 1979
Case: Stainless steel, matte finish
Crystal: Mineral glass
Crown: Push/Pull unsigned original crown
Lume: Non-lume dial with tritium hands, no longer luminous
Movement: Manual-winding Valjoux 7765
Bracelet: replacement steel bracelet with sliding adjustment clasp
Lug Width: 18mm
Dimensions: 38 mm excluding crown, 41 mm including crown. The thickness is 15 mm and the lug to lug distance is 42 mm.