Okay, let’s talk about this Autavia watch I’ve been tinkering with. I’ve always been a watch guy, and the Autavia, man, that’s a name that just screams “racing” to me. It’s like, if you’re into cars and speed, you gotta know about the Autavia. I finally got my hands on one, a 42mm one from 2017, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a journey.
First off, finding the right one was a chore. I mean, there are a few variations out there. There was this “Watches of Switzerland Anniversary” edition, which was kind of cool with its splash of color. I saw a Tudor BB Chrono Panda too. But, I wanted that classic Autavia feel, you know? The kind that those racing legends used to wear back in the day. Eventually, I found one that was based on the 1966 ‘Rindt’ model, the reference 2446, mark 3. That’s the one.
Now, getting it on my wrist was another story. This thing is heavy. It’s not like those flimsy modern chronographs. It felt substantial, like a proper tool watch. I remember reading somewhere that it’s meant to be worn, not stashed away as some investment. And yeah, I could see that. This wasn’t some delicate flower, it was built to handle action.
I started digging into the history of this thing. Turns out, the Autavia name is a mix of “Automobile” and “Aviation.” It was originally some kind of dashboard timer for cars and planes way back in the day. I even found out that the current models have this Isograph technology. They are calling it a carbon composite hairspring. Sounds wild, right? It’s supposed to make the watch super accurate, like 1/5th of a second accurate.
But let me tell you about wearing it. I took it out to a local car meet, just to see how it felt in its natural habitat. People noticed it, for sure. A few guys even came up to me asking about it. We ended up talking about Jean-Claude Biver, the guy who apparently is some kind of legend in the watch world. He’s the one who brought back the Autavia after it was discontinued in 1985. He did great work.
- Finding the right Autavia took some effort. There are different models, but I wanted that classic racing vibe.
- This watch is a beast. It’s heavy and feels solid on the wrist.
- The history is fascinating. From dashboard timers to a comeback story, the Autavia has seen it all.
- It’s a conversation starter. People who know watches, know the Autavia.
Here’s what I learned:
So, that’s my Autavia story so far. It’s been a fun ride, and I’m excited to see where this watch takes me next. Maybe I’ll even take it to a track day, who knows! It definitely feels like it belongs there, among the roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber.
