Heuer Montreal

As lovers of horology and motorsport, we are suckers for a racing chronograph.

 

We've tried more than a few - but at the end of the day, our pick of the litter will always be a vintage Heuer.  Whether Carrera, Autavia, Monaco, Monza, or one of the lesser known short-run models of the 1970s, these stunning timepieces epitomize the very essence of the golden era of auto racing and are as cool today as they were in period. One of the more obscure models from the 70s is the Montreal - even after over a decade of truffle-hunting vintage Heuer at Analog:Shift, we can still count the number of solid examples of this bold chronograph that we've turned up on one hand!

Introduced in 1972, the Montreal collection featured similar design cues to the more established Autavia and Carrera collections, but its execution is distinct, effortlessly exudeing that "70s thing" we love so much. With an oversized cushion case with sunburst brushing, it is similar in appearance to the popular Mark II Speedmaster, but is powered by the Calibre 12 automatic chronograph movement instead of the Omega's hand-cranked Calibre .861.

The Montreal gets virtually no attention compared to its stablemates - even from aficionados of vintage Heuers. Its a shame, but then again they are rare enough that few get to properly experience them and fall in love. While the model was produced for about four years with the in-house Calibre 12 movement, before line production The  switched to the Valjoux  7750. These later watches can be distinguished from their counterparts from their monochrome dials — black on black or blue on blue. The only break from the monotonality of the dial would come from the hands or pulsation scales. Production ended in 1983, eleven years after its conception, and it is one of the golden-era chronographs TAG Heuer has yet to revive.

This example - a Reference 110.503 - comes from the beginning of the model's production, powered by the Cal. 12. These feature a 42mm cushion case with barrel chronograph pushers positioned on the case’s right flank, a signed crown at 9 o’clock, and a leather strap integrated directly into the case. 

Born with a stark white dial, this example has aged into a lovely cream tone and its applied luminous applied indices have developed a yellowy patina — every vintage watch enthusiast’s dream! It also features pops of bright color with a luminous red handset,  contrasting black subsidiary registers with yellow exotic timing blocks on the 30-minute counter , a peripheral Pulsations scale in blue text and a Tachymetre scale in red. 

An all-time Analog:Shift staff favorite, this piece is a fantastic example of an off-the-beaten-path Heuer - and its exotic panda dial makes it a wonderful find for any collector with a healthy dose of high octane racing fuel running in their bloodstream!

In 1962, Jack Heuer inherited the company that his great-grandfather had founded in Saint-Imier nearly a century before.

He had already played a role in the design of some timepieces, starting with the Solunar in the late 1940s. But in 1962, the responsibility of running the company fell on his shoulders, and he found himself faced with the daunting task of safeguarding his ancestor’s legacy while at the same time forging his own. His chosen path? Moving into a line of technical instruments for use in sporting and transportation applications.

The Heuer name was not unknown in motor racing and aviation circles. Starting in 1911, when the sport of automobile racing was still in its infancy, the company produced dashboard clocks for cars, boats, and even airplanes. Jack Heuer, a longtime racing aficionado, saw an opportunity to revitalize — or at the very least, to reexamine — the company’s already-successful line of chronographs.

He had first tried his hand with the Autavia, which at the time of his succession was a stopwatch with a virtually illegible dial. In its place he launched the line of Autavia wrist chronographs, the first line of chronographs produced by Heuer to be named, rather than simply numbered. The Autavia was purpose-built for racers and pilots, and attracted the attention of Formula 1 racers and devotees such as Jochen Rindt and Steve McQueen.

In designing the Carrera in 1963, Jack Heuer created something that was entirely his, and is without question the chronograph that is most associated with the brand today. Heuer's obsession with legibility led to a dial design that was simpler to read than the Omega Speedmaster or the Rolex Daytona (released the same year as the Carrera). What resulted was a chronograph with plain baton markers that gave only the most necessary bits of information — clean, uncluttered, undeniably attractive.

The brand grew to become a powerhouse in chronographs in particular, and the list of famous designs from the 1960s and 1970s can’t be counted on two hands. However, one innovation from 1969 deserves particular mention: the famed Caliber 11. This caliber (and its successors) was the result of a multinational race to build the world’s first automatic chronograph movement. It would go on to power the famed Monaco — made famous by actor Steve McQueen — as well as automatic versions of the Autavia, Carrera and more.

Falling on hard times in the wake of the Quartz Crisis, Heuer was ultimately purchased by Technique Avant Garde (TAG), and subsequently by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey, who brought the brand into the modern age. Early TAG Heuer quartz divers from the 1980s have found newfound appreciation in collector’s circles, while the brand’s modern catalog is a mix of vintage-inspired reissues and unique collections, such as the Connected smartwatch line.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

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.