A History of the Dashboard Heuers -- Of Models and Variations

Over their 50-year history, there were six primary models of dash-mounted Heuer timepieces produced for automobiles – Master Time, Autavia, Auto Rallye, Super Autavia, Monte Carlo and Sebring. Mounted together on a double back-plate, the Master Time and Monte Carlo were sold as a Rally-Master pair. There were other models specifically designed for aircraft and boats, including the Aircraft Chronograph, the Aircraft Clock, the IFR timer, and the Navia clock.

For each of these six primary models, there were numerous variations, marked by changes in the cases, movements, dials, hands, etc. Some models had variations from year to year, while other models were simultaneously offered in multiple variations, as selected by the customer. For example, a rally navigator purchasing a Sebring in 1963 had a choice of a standard model (with the dial marked only for seconds) or a decimal-minutes model (with dial markings for both seconds and hundredths of minutes). By contrast, other features or variations indicate a particular time of production – for example, any Sebring purchased by our rally navigator in 1961 would have had asymmetrical buttons (indicative of the A. Schild 1564R movement). If the buttons were symmetrical, then it was produced after 1967 (when Heuer switched to the Valjoux 7711 movement).

The Briefest Possible History / Field Guide

Just as the historian may describe any phenomenon in few words or many, the 52 year history of the dash-mounted Heuers (from 1933 through 1985) may be written in 50 words or in 50 pages. To provide the history of the dash-mounted Heuers from a “macro” perspective, one would say that the cases went from (a) thin chromium-coated cases with screw-on bezels (1930s mid-50s), to (b) thin profectus-coated cases (mid-50s to late-60s), to (c) thicker profectus-coated cases (late-60s to mid-70s), to (d) plastic cases (mid-70s to mid-80s). The movements for each model also changed over time, as Heuer shifted from movements requiring hand assembly and multiple adjustments by highly-skilled watchmakers to movements that featured modular construction suitable for faster assembly by less-skilled workers. It was the use of these later movements that required the use of deeper cases. Toward the end, metal gave way to plastic and the mainspring gave way to quartz; in the very end (1985), it all gave way to more accurate, multi-function digital instruments, as Heuer discontinued production of the dash-mounted timepieces.

Autavia Overview

The Autavia (12-hour stopwatch) was introduced in 1933, deriving its name from its use for “automobiles or aviation”. Early Autavias used the Valjoux 59 movement, and are identified by a single button (pusher) to the left of the crown. Later Autavias were powered by the Valjoux 340 movement, with the button (pusher) moved to the right of the crown. Differences between these movements were significant, with the pushers having entirely different functions on the early and late Autavias.

For additional information about the Autavias, go to the Autavia Main Page.

Monte Carlo Overview

The Monte Carlo (12-hour stopwatch) was introduced in 1958, as the successor to the Autavia. The Autavia’s 12-hour register (at the bottom of the dial) was replaced by a 12-hour jumping disc, visible through a window, just below the center of the dial. The early Monte Carlos had three buttons, with the left button advancing or resetting the hour-disc and the right button resetting the minute and second hands. Three-button Monte Carlos all used the A. Schild 1666 movement. The two-button Monte Carlo was introduced in 1967, with the right button (pusher) resetting the hour disc, as well as the minute and second hands. The use of the Valjoux 7714 movement in these later Monte Carlo required that the case be thicker (15mm), and it is this deeper case that lead to the other dash-mounted Heuers using deeper cases, in order to match the thickness of the Monte Carlo.

Master Time Overview

The Master Time 8-Day Clock had the longest history of the dash-mounted Heuers, being first introduced in 1933 (as the “Hervue” or “Hervue Junior”) and produced through the end of the dash-mounted line, in 1985. The Master Time also had the greatest number of movements -- from the Revue Thommen GT movement in the Hervues, to the Revue Thommen 63 (two-barrel movement), to the Arogno 28 (single-barrel movement), and ending its life with a plastic case, that housed two different quartz movements. Cases ranged from thin chrome, to profectus, to fat plastic, with black anodized aluminum along the way. Other variations included a white dial (in a black case) and a true 24-hour indication.

Super Autavia Overview

The Super Autavia represents the most complex of the dash-mounted Heuers, a true chronograph (combining time-of-day and stopwatch functions). The Super Autavia was introduced in 1958, and was then powered by a Valjoux 76 movement. The earliest models featured thin cases, coin-edge bezels and dials with baton markers (rather than numerals). The batons soon gave way to numerals; in the case and bezel were soon redesigned to the style of the other dash-mounted Heuers; and the Valjoux 5 was introduced by around 1965. In 1967, the case became deeper (to match the Monte Carlo case), with the Valjoux 5 continuing as the movement. The final variation of the Super Autavia featured a true 24-hour indication, with a unique red / blue bezel that allowed a start time to be marked or a second time zone to be tracked. The Super Autavia maintained its dignity, with this fine chronograph never appearing in a plastic case.

Auto Rallye Overview

The simplest of the dash-mounted Heuers, the Auto Rallye 60 minute stopwatch was introduced in the early 1950s. Early models were listed as “Auto Rallyes” in catalogs and other literature, but had only the “Heuer” logo on the dial. Early versions matched the Autavias of the period, with a very simple dial, a screw-on bezel and a single button (pusher) to the left of the crown. Early Auto Rallyes used the Valjoux 62 movement. Later Auto Rallyes (from 1958)matched the Monte Carlos of the period, in terms of the styles of cases and dials, with the use of an A. Schild 1565 movement. The final versions of the metal-cased Auto-Rallye used a thicker case and a Valjoux 7710 movement, with the Auto Rallyes spending their final years in plastic cases.

Sebring Overview

The Sebring (60-minute timer, with split second function) was the last of the dash-mounted Heuers to be introduced, making its debut around 1960. The early Sebrings used the A. Schild 1564R movement, indicated by the asymmetrical buttons to the sides of the crown. From 1968, the Sebring was powered by the Valjoux 7711, and the left button was moved further from the crown, to align symmetrically with the right button. From around 1975 to 1985, the Sebring was issued in plastic.