Hueur Watch woes...

[Jims5543]

In 1984 when I graduated High School my now deceased Grandfather purchased a Hueur Watch for me. I am left handed and the stem is set up so a lefty can change the time with the watch on his right wrist. My grandfather thought is was so cool I was left handed.

My grandfather passed away in 2003. It broke my heart and to this day it pains me. All my memories of him are the fondest as he was a true gentleman, a motorhead and a car lover which has molded me into what I am today. He spent a lot of time teaching me edicate and how to be a gentleman.

I cannot express how much I miss him.

In 1987 my watch needed repair. The second hand had worked its way loose and I took it to a repair shop in the local mall. Being a stupid 20 year old I let an unethical man work on my watch. He ruined it. First he scratched the back bezel. Then he did not seal the watch correctly. I dove into my cousins pool weeks later to dicover the wach took on water. Not knowing the value of the watch I threw it in my dresser drawer in discust, tired of spending money fixing it.

Well it is corroded beyond belief as you can see in the pictures. My 12 y/o son found it in an old chest and it pained me so see it in such bad shape.

I will pay dearly to have this watch brought back to working condition.

Anyone know where I can send it to be repaired. Someone that knows the old school Hueurs?

[Jims5543]

Second pic.

[89911]

My Brother had a Breitling watch my dad had that he use to use for flying. He found a place that compeletly refurbished the watch. It looks brand new (and most likely cost him 10 times what my Dad originally paid for it). I'm sure there is a place for TAG also.

[Jims5543]

Fingers crossed.


Thing is this is a Hueur watch before Tag bought in. Might make for a challange.

[craigster59]

Go on to the Heuer forum at www.timezone.com and ask there. I'll bet someone can steer you in the right direction.HTH

[Jims5543]

One million thank yous... never thought there was a forum.

[Don Plumley]

Beautiful Autavia and a great story. Many good watch forums and I'm sure you'll find a craftsman to restore.

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by Don Plumley
Beautiful Autavia and a great story. Many good watch forums and I'm sure you'll find a craftsman to restore.

As I reread this thread emotions overcome me. Damn I miss him.

Long story, but, what was willed to me never made it to me. It was taken by a family member along with many 1st edition books he gave me that never made it with me when I left home. Moby Dick and Edger Allen Poe books included.

This watch is the only memory I have of him.

[addictionMS]

contact these guys they are the authorized repair in the USA

LVMH
966 South Springfield Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07081Phone +1 - 800.321.4832
Fax +1 -973. 467.5495


I ust sent mine in, you send them the watch, and they will mail you a quote before they do anything

Jim

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by addictionMS
contact these guys they are the authorized repair in the USA

LVMH
966 South Springfield Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07081Phone +1 - 800.321.4832
Fax +1 -973. 467.5495

+1, but I would certainly call first to see if they have the parts for the pre-Tag watches.
Here is the phone # I have listed: 866.260.0460 (might be the main Tag #).

I sent them my Monaco for a complete overhaul/cleaning and it came back perfect. They even polished the (acrylic) crystal, band clasp, and case sections back to like new. The only downside was the wait. It took about 3 months.

[psjoe]

Jack Freedman

http://www.superiorwatch.com/index.html

I have noted his work over the past 8 years. He can restore any mechanical timepiece.

[stuartj]

Jim
That watch is absolutely worth repairing/restoring for all the reasons you mention, not least of which is that its rare and valuable in its own right. It may well need redialing, which is unfortunate because then wont be orginal- but so what, I doubt you will be selling it so its "value" is not an issue.

Jack Freedman at Superior Watch in NYC (i think) indeed has an excellent reputation. But I second the suggestion of Timezone.com. Post this there, and you will get the answer. I personally would not take it to LMVH. YOur watch is Heuer. Any resemblence borne by the current crop of crappy TAG "Heuer" reissues is purely a matter of retro styling. (same concerns as taking a 74 2.7 911 to a Boxster shop.)

That is an heirloom, and a classic and collectable mechanical timepiece in its own right. For me, that would be "money no object" project because of its history. One day, when he's old enough (Im sure you appreciate why) what a thing to pass on to your son.

Good luck with it, Im sure it can be brought back, and do please post some pics of the finished job.

(Im sure you dont need to be told to kick yourself in the arse for allowing it fall into that condition. )

[stuartj]

Just another thought- if you got that watch in 84, it would amongst the last Heuers made. It probably has a Valjour Cal 72 movement, so parts should be available.

Design house Techniques Avant Gard (TAG) bought Heuer, victims of the Japnese quartz invasion, in 1985. I have a 1985 TAG Heuer, bought in that year.

Stuart

Edit: Jim, post your question here. These guys will know....

http://chronocentric.com/forums/heuer/

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by stuartj
It probably has a Valjour Cal 72 movement, so parts should be available.

Actually, it looks like an older "ViceRoy" Autavia, with the Cal. 12 movement (even more desirable/valuable). The Heuer/Valjoux Cal. 72 Autavias had 3 chrono registers AFAIK. Either way, it is definitely worth restoring IMO. It will need the dial refinished, (unless you can find a NOS one), a new crystal, new seals, and probably a complete rebuild/overhaul. Just keep in mind a "restoration" is usually more $$ than a "repair".

This guy might be worth checking as well:
www.farfo.com/antique_watch_repair/vintage-watch-repair.html

As mentioned, the Timezone Heuer forum guys can steer you in the right direction as well. Good luck!

[Jims5543]

Thank you all for your responses. I am e-mailing Superior Watch about the possibility of a restore.

Stuartj - the watch will never be sold. So you are right, being completely original is not a huge issue although I have my fingers crossed.


The inside:

[Seahawk]

Great story, beautiful watch. I am honestly looking forward to seeing the results!

[pwd72s]

Me too, hopefully the story will have a happy ending...

[Eric Coffey]

Here are a couple more links with info on the "Viceroy" Autavias & a link showing the differeent Heuer movements: http://www.onthedash.com/docs/CompareViceroys.shtml
http://www.onthedash.com/Guide/_Chronographs/62.Autavia/d.Automatic_Autavias/72.Reference_1163V/
http://chronocentric.com/forums/chronotrader/index.cgi?read=534
http://www.onthedash.com/movements.shtml

From the pic above, the movement doesn't look factory. Either that, or it has a lot of missing parts! Again, good luck with the resto.

[alf]

I used a company in Oregon that does great work on vintage chronos.

www.chronodeco.com this might be a tough one to fix, but give it a shot.

alf

[pwd72s]

"might" be a tough one to fix????