First Execution 2447T Heuer Carrera

In my town, there is a restaurant called The Kitchen, which happens to be owned and operated by Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal, who if you didn’t know is a restauranteur. It does three things really well: First, the menu is never overwhelming, a few simple entrées executed perfectly, matching the season. Second, it’s just a nice place to be: exposed brick, classically cozy, but with modern touches in the details like lighting and an exposed kitchen. Lastly, there’s clearly a little bit of creativity and fun in the dishes. They’re rarely something you’ll have had before. There’s creativity, culinary genius really, but it’s not taking itself too seriously. Also, a major component of appeal, everyone working there is better looking than you. Don’t worry, I’m coming on to watches.

Real watchmaking genius is a rare thing. Breguet had it in spades, Daniels too. But most new watches today are an exercise in marketing, tedium, and pretending you’re different. In other words, more of the Hublot philosophy. But Jack Heuer’s first Carrera is the former, a bezel-less chronograph aimed toward maximizing nothing more than dial real estate for legibility. It seems trivial to say out loud, but no one had done the minimalist chronograph before. It really was creativity. And it’s still a pretty thing to behold, particularly with a red tachymetre scale. But that’s not even the best bit. Nor is the 36mm case with its long lugs. It’s not even the racing pedigree. It’s that the Carrera crowd isn’t taking things too seriously these days either, at least not yet. So the attitude is still welcoming, fun, and relaxed. It’s the casual, relaxed, super hot waitress (or waiter, whatever your fancy) of chronographs, serving something of real nutritional value.

Long time readers will know we used to have a value proposition section. All finds are together now, but I am as attracted to a watch that brings a lot to the table for little as ever. The vintage Heuer Carrera, in this regard, is a clear standout today. It’s not just no more expensive than a new one despite being less common, more storied, and better proportioned, it’s 1/10th the ask of a period Daytona using the same movement and dial maker. It has every right to compared in that company. Phillips tried very hard in the last decade to create a high-end Heuer market and, well, it was an unmitigated failure. This is a time to revel in before anyone tries again, the reference points effect is already starting.

The dial on this one is the 2447T variety with a clean white dial and bright red tachy scale. This first execution is most easily distinguished by its hands, which are entirely polished, also its unsigned crown. Latter examples had black and luminous inserts and signed crowns. Some of the pips are partially degraded but its in overall strong shape, no visible outright damage. The case is strong but has been touched. It comes from a well-regarded German retailer, watch only. And the pricing is spot on, even though I rarely comment on such things, it’s a major part of this find.