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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph

Heuer 'Big Eye' Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch

Partially verified

This Heuer chronograph wristwatch, dating to circa 1950, features a 35mm round stainless steel case with a screw-down back. According to Bonhams, it is powered by a 17-jewel manual-wind column wheel chronograph movement numbered 404780. The dial is two-toned silvered with luminous Arabic chapters, an outer fifth-seconds ring, and two subsidiary registers: one for continuous seconds and another 30-minute counter. The hands are blued steel with luminous fill, complemented by blued sweep and subdial hands. The case, dial, and movement are reported signed.

Front view of Heuer 'Big Eye' stainless steel manual wind chronograph wristwatch
Front view of Heuer 'Big Eye' stainless steel manual wind chronograph wristwatch — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph
Maker / attribution
Heuer
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
3
Source-reported date
c.1950
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
66181

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Model Designation

This vintage stainless steel chronograph is identified by the auctioneer as a Heuer manual-wind model designated with the model title "Big Eye". The sale catalogue assigns it an approximate production date of circa 1950 and reports that the case, dial, and movement are signed.

Visually, the timepiece presents a two-register chronograph dial featuring an oversized right-hand subsidiary register, corresponding to the popular "Big Eye" layout.

Evidence for this section
  • “Model: "Big Eye"”
  • “Date: c.1950”
  • “Signed: Case, dial and movement”
  • “Two-register chronograph layout with oversized right subdial”

Case and External Architecture

The watch features a round stainless steel case measuring 35mm in diameter, described in the catalogue as polished and fitted with a screw-down back numbered 66181.

External controls consist of round pushers positioned at 2 and 4 o'clock flanking a fluted central winding crown. While the catalogue description lists the strap as textured brown leather, visual observation notes that the watch is fitted with a textured grey leather strap.

Evidence for this section
  • “Size: 35mm”
  • “Case: Polished round with screw down back, no. 66181”
  • “Round pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock with a fluted winding crown”
  • “Fitted with a textured grey leather strap”

Dial Display and Subdials

The dial is described in the catalogue as two-toned silvered, bordered by an outer fifth-seconds ring and set with luminous Arabic chapters. Direct observation shows Arabic numerals visible at the 12, 1, 5, 6, and 7 positions, with the surface displaying warm patina.

The configuration incorporates two subsidiary registers: one for continuous running seconds and a 30-minute counter. Time and measurement indications are rendered with blued hands with luminous fill, along with blued sweep and register hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: Two toned silvered, outer fifth seconds ring, luminous Arabic chapters, subsidiary dials for continuous seconds and 30-minute register, blued hands with luminous fill, blued sweep and register hands”
  • “Dial shows warm patina with Arabic numerals at 12, 1, 5, 6, and 7”

Open research questions

  • What specific base caliber manufacturer and caliber number (such as a Valjoux movement) corresponds to movement serial number 404780?
  • What reference number is stamped inside the case back or between the lugs to accompany serial number 66181?
  • What accounts for the discrepancy between the catalogue description stating textured brown leather and the photograph showing a grey strap?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Heuer 'Big Eye' Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ModelBig Eye“Model: "Big Eye"”
Datec.1950“Date: c.1950”
Movement17-jewel manual wind, column wheel chronograph, no. 404780“Movement: 17-jewel manual wind, column wheel chronograph, no. 404780”
Case Number66181“no. 66181”
Case Size35mm“Size: 35mm”
DialTwo toned silvered, outer fifth seconds ring, luminous Arabic chapters“Dial: Two toned silvered, outer fifth seconds ring, luminous Arabic chapters, subsidiary dials for continuous seconds and 30-minute register, blued hands with luminous fill, blued sweep and register hands”
Movement Description17-jewel manual wind, column wheel chronograph, no. 404780“Movement: 17-jewel manual wind, column wheel chronograph, no. 404780”
Buckle TypeSteel pin buckle“Buckle/Clasp: Steel pin buckle”
Strap Description (Catalogue)Textured brown leather“Strap/Bracelet: Textured brown leather”

Visible details

  • Two-register chronograph layout with oversized right subdial
  • Fitted with a textured grey leather strap
  • Round pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock with a fluted winding crown
  • Dial shows warm patina with Arabic numerals at 12, 1, 5, 6, and 7

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back interior are not shown in the provided photograph
  • Catalogue text lists strap as brown leather, but it appears dark grey in the photograph

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams : HEUER. A STAINLESS STEEL MANUAL WIND CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH "Big Eye", c.1950

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record f6a7f9b106

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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