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Certified Pre-Owned Watch Program

Serviced Vintage ChronoSport Chronograph Automatic Calibre 12 11 Orange Autavias

Regular price $2,999.99 Sale price $3,899.00
On Sale

Only 1 in stock

The history of the Calibre 11

Starts at the end of 1965. As Büren had pioneered the production of micro-rotor movements, Gérald Dubois (of Dépraz & Co., a chronograph specialist) figured out that these would be thin enough to be the base for a modular chronograph movement. Dubois contacts Hans Kocher of Büren Watch Co. SA. In need of commercial partners, they manage to convince first Jack Heuer and then Willy Breitling to support the project. On February 2nd, 1966, an agreement is signed. The four-party Chronomatic consortium is born, including two rival brands teaming up to develop their own automatic chronograph. For confidentiality purposes, the development is code-named Project 99.

 The convention signed on February 2, 1966, between Dépraz & Co., Heuer-Léonidas SA and Léon Breitling SA. The partners asked Büren Watch Co. to build the blanks and the automatic movement of an automatic chronograph, the basic execution of which is designated by calibre No. 111. They have an exclusive right to use this calibre. They plan to have Dépraz develop and manufacture the chronograph mechanism to equip this calibre.

Büren is in charge of the base calibre. Dépraz of the chronograph mechanism. Three brands – Heuer, Breitling and Hamilton (who acquired Buren during the development process) – will fit the movement inside their watches. A patent application for the Calibre 11 is filed in September 1967. At the end of 1968, about 100 pre-production movements are assembled in prevision of the 1969 Basel fair. On March 3rd 1969, the movement is officially presented, simultaneously in New York and Geneva. A month later, the three brands present their first chronographs at the 1969 Basel fair. With the practicality and comfort of automatic winding, the chronograph becomes a staple of motorsport… the Calibre 11 is used to power iconic watches by Heuer (Carrera, Monaco, Autavia), Breitling (Chrono-Matic) and Hamilton (Fontainebleau). And later by other brands such as Bulova, Kelek, Zodiac, Elgin, Stowa…

 

So, who won the race?

Zenith’s automatic chronograph was the first to be unveiled to the world. It was presented during a press conference in January 1969 and christened El Primero (“the first” in Spanish). The reality is a bit more complex. There are endless debates about which was the first automatic chronograph, as both the Seiko and the Chronomatic movements were announced later the same year. What’s more, El Primero was not the first to hit the market. But the controversy about who came first doesn’t really matter anymore… what is important is the impact that these movements had on watchmaking history. Since then, the automatic chronograph has remained one of the most popular complications.

THE CALIBRE 11

The Calibre 11 is a 17-jewel modular chronograph measuring 31mm x 7.7mm. This modular architecture implies first a base movement, a micro-rotor automatic calibre made by Büren, in charge of the timekeeping part. Beating at 19,800 vibrations per hour, it boasted 42 hours of power reserve. Manufactured by Dépraz, the lever chronograph module is assembled on the backside of the base movement. This movement has a bi-compax display, with a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock – no running seconds sub-dial. The date is indicated at 6 o’clock. The unusual crown position, at 9 o’clock at the opposite of the chronograph pushers, is a signature feature of the movement.

 

 

THE CALIBRE 11 AND ITS EVOLUTIONS

Like most movements, the Calibre 11 has been optimized several times over its lifetime. As early as 1969, a barrel spring providing less torque is used. The date jump mechanism is adapted. The sliding pinion is changed and made in steel.

 In 1971, a variant running at 21,600 vibrations per hour and named Calibre 12 is introduced. It becomes the main product of the calibre family. It uses a stronger barrel spring. The gear train and balance wheel are adapted. The chronograph hammer is modified to improve shock-resistance.

Chronosport history:

Pat Bernard who founded Chronosport back in the 1960’s. As you probably know he supplied wrist chronographs and stopwatches to a lot of racing teams, including several Formula 1 teams, as well as Red Arrows (RAF) and Blue Angels (US Navy and Marine Corps) aerobatic airplane demonstration teams.

This is a beauty. For the fan for the Calibre 11 / 12 this is a great watch amazing dial and bezel. This is a big watch for the time, and it has the Orange Boy Autavias colors.  It is very rare and low production watch, the watch that was made for race car drivers. Defiantly a collector watch. Please look at all the pictures, as they are part of the description. The watch is working and Serviced by the last owner. This is a highly collectible watch. Very few left with this rare movement. Sure, to increase in value overtime, and a great addition to your collection. The condition of the watch is the same as it appears in the photos.   The watch is working and is part of our new Certified Pre-Owned CPO Program.  Contact me if you have any questions first.


 

 

SPECIFICATION

Case

Stainless Steel Case and Case Back.

Case Size

  43,25 mm without the crown and  44,00 Lug to Lug

Case Back

Stainless steel cover signed with Screw Back. Please note case back in most cases is not fully tighten.

Crown

UnSigned Square design

Crystal

Acrylic Some Scratches, chip between 5 & 6 O'Clock 

Bezel:

Bi Directional Tachymeter, Lum Dot at top.

Dial:

Beautiful Luminous hands, indices, and all orange marking dial,  Swiss made Mark, with the chronograph Hand and date at 6 O'clock. Shows light patina Please see picture for more detail.

Complication

Seconds, Date, Chronograph, Tachymeter, 

Movement

Self-Winding Automatic Heuer Kelek (JRGK) Calibre 12  

Movement Notes

Just inspected and in great shape. Fully Serviced and Overhauled by last owner. Come with a Service Warranty!  Please see pictures and as some old movements don't have a very clear marking. Movement is running. Keeps great time see below time testing.

Strap

Genuine Leather Racing Strap , Lug Size: 22mm   Please see picture.

Box

Come with Beautiful Vintage Style Box. Or Experts Watches Pouch

Reference #

NA

Made in

Switzerland

Water Resistance

No. Please pressure test before water use.

Service Level

2  (Please see Tab below for details)  

Timing Test **

+3 s/day  In-House Time Test Results (See Service Level Tab)**

Certified Pre-Owned

Passed 25-point inspection. Please see tab below for details.

Warranty

3-Month Service Warranty (Please see Tab below for details)

Notes:

All watch functions tested and operable. Circa 1970's Service marking inside the caseback 10/28/19 R63695

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