Lot 228

Heuer

Autavia Jochen Rindt

A very rare vintage wrist chronograph with second execution case and third execution dial. Formerly this model was worn by the famous Austrian Formula One driver and Grand Prix winner Jochen Rindt and is known amongst collectors as the "Rindt" Autavia

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This charismatic sports chronograph in a steel case comes from first hand and has never been offered at auction before. It is in very good original condition and has a stylishly elegant, charmingly aged third execution dial.
The Heuer Autavia with a black dial and light-coloured auxiliary dials was produced during the 1960s and 1970s. The shape of the case as well as the dials were updated occasionally. This model was launched in 1968 and features the second screw back case and the third dial version. Its main features are the smaller registers, the applied steel indexes and the polished steel hands, with luminous inserts. The bezel is narrower than first execution screw-back Autavia and teeth of the bezel are cut on diagonals, rather than on perpendiculars
Collectors named the Autavia reference 2446M the "Jochen Rindt" watch. It got its name from the Austrian racing driver Jochen Rindt, who was seen and photographed wearing the watch on many occasions. Karl Jochen Rindt (born on April 18, 1942 in Mainz, died on September 5, 1970 in Monza) was a Formula One racing driver and multiple Grand Prix winner. Orphaned in Germany, he grew up with his grandparents in Graz and started for Austria throughout his life. Rindt was killed in an accident during a training session at the Grand Prix in Monza in 1970. At the time of his death he was already so far ahead in points that he became world champion posthumously, to this day the only driver ever to do so.