Heuer Carrera

To “car guys” like us, or to anyone who appreciates classic designs, the Porsche 911 Carrera is an automotive icon.

The 911 was intended to replace the Porsche 356, Porsche's first automobile. With 2+2 seating, the chassis of the 911 was larger than the 356, making it a more comfortable alternative. Moreover, the air-cooled 2.0L “boxer” engine was larger and more powerful than the 356’s four cylinder 1.6L engine.

It was the result of a collaboration between Porsche founder Ferdinand (Ferry) Porsche’s son, Butzi, and Ferdinand, the son of Ferdinand Porsche’s sister, Louise. Though still in their 20s, Butzi and Ferdinand displayed the creative brilliance and business acumen that their father and uncle possessed. As the fruit of their (albeit discordant) union, the Porsche Carrera became—and still is—Porsche’s best-selling car.

The Carrera was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963; that same year, Heuer would also release a watch that was (quite coincidentally) also named Carrera.

Although informed by chronographs that Heuer produced in the 1940s and 1950s, the watch was the result of Jack Heuer’s decision to revamp the brand’s collection, concentrating on chronographs.

As Jack Heuer himself said in a recent interview: “Being at the helm of the company, I felt that we had to review our range of Chronographs. I started out in 1962 with the Autavia… in the fall of 1962 to start a new series with the name Carrera… and the first Carrera was launched at the Basel Fair in spring 1963.”

Like the Porsche Carrera, the Heuer Carrera ushered in a new era for Heuer, and became one of the manufacture’s most famous designs. Also like the Porsche, the Heuer Carrera was versatile. Although it attracted the attention of race car drivers, it found much success off the track.

The Carrera saw several variations throughout the years, but the earliest—including the Reference 3647—remain truest to Jack Heuer’s vision. 

This silver-dialed Carrera we offer here is an early example of a Reference 3647S, also called the Carrera 45, for the 45 minute register at 3 o'clock. The Reference 3647S is powered by the Valjoux 92, a derivative of the triple register Valjoux 72 without an hour register. The clean lines of the dial are echoed in the sharp bevels of the lugs and the result is quite simply iconic; Heuer's answer to mid-century trends that, like its automotive counterpart, translates well to modern tastes. 

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.