Heuer Carrera

In the world of Formula One racing, 1963 was indisputably the year of Jim Clark.

That season, Clark dominated at seven out of ten races, including a dramatic victory in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Three years before, on that same track, Clark had watched friend and teammate Alan Stacey lose his life. But on June 9, 1963, in wet and foggy conditions, Clark pulled ahead from eighth place on the starting grid to beat all cars in front of him to take the checkered flag.

With a distinctive, smooth style and an uncanny ability to avoid danger, Clark was without question the best driver in the circuit, but there was one who was right on his trail—John Surtees.

The son of a motorcycle dealer, it was no surprise that Surtees would start his racing career on two wheels rather than four. As a member of the MV Augusta factory team, he earned the nickname figlio del vento or “son of the wind.” In motorcycle racing he was just as unstoppable as Clark, winning 32 out of 39 races in 1958, 1959, and 1960.

In 1960, he switched to racing cars full-time, making his debut at Silverstone for Team Lotus—Clark’s team. Three years later, at that same track, Surtees would have the fastest lap, but would ultimately lose out to his teammate, Clark. However, that would all change that summer, when—after a switch to Scuderia Ferrari—Surtees would finally best his former teammate at the German Grand Prix.

Chronographs and racing go hand-in-hand, and nothing illustrates that close relationship more than the relationship between Scuderia Ferrari—Surtees’ team—and Heuer.

Jack Heuer was a longtime racing aficionado, and before long he became acquainted with il Commendatore—Enzo Ferrari. Many of Ferrari’s drivers, from Jo Siffert to Jochen Rindt, would wear Heuers in the pit; in fact, Siffert was so taken with Heuer’s watches that he would even sell them to other drivers on the racing grid. In 1971 that friendship became an official partnership, in a sense making him the first motor racing celebrity on the payroll of a major watch company.

It was as a guest of Ferrari’s that he first heard the name Carrera, which Jack Heuer would register as a trademark in 1962. The following year would see the debut of the chronograph that would bear its name: the Heuer Carrera. Early Carreras were produced in a variety of styles with a range of dials: black-on-black, white-on-black, or solid silver, with tachymeter or even pulsometer tracks around the outer edge of the dial.

After the debut of the Calibre 11 “Chronomatic” movement, the Carrera was revamped. It was given a larger case to accommodate that movement. As a token of Heuer’s affection for the members of Ferrari’s team, all drivers were given one of these new automatic Carreras—including John Surtees.

This particular Carrera, a Reference 2447NST, is one of the earlier iterations from the 1960s. It features a rare and desirable "Panda" configuration with white triple subsidiary register layout. This model also comes with a printed tachymetre ring on the dial, earning it the "NST" model designator.

With a sharp, crisp case and a beads-of-rice bracelet, this Carrera is a stunner. Whether navigating the chicanes at your local race course or just cruising around town, it’s the perfect companion for a fast-paced lifestyle, and, for the time being comes at a sizable discount to those other motorsports styled Valjoux 72 powered chronographs...

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.