Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Chronograph

Heuer pocket watch chronograph

Partially verified

This Heuer pocket watch is a manual-winding, intermediate wheel chronograph produced in Switzerland around 1930. The timepiece is housed in a metal, chrome-plated case with a diameter of approximately 51 mm, featuring a hinged case back and a snap-on bezel. The dial is described as a frosted, silvered surface exhibiting signs of age-related patination and spotting. It displays a 30-minute chronograph register and blued steel hands. The movement is rhodium-plated, utilizing the Valjoux 61 calibre, and features a Swiss lever escapement, Breguet balance-spring, and fausses cotes decoration. The watch is reported to be in condition grade 3, requiring an overhaul and a replacement of the lever shaft.

Front view of the Heuer pocket watch showing the silvered dial and 30-minute register.
Front view of the Heuer pocket watch showing the silvered dial and 30-minute register. — Henry's Auktionshaus (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Chronograph
Maker / attribution
Heuer
Reference
Valjoux 61
Catalogue / lot identifier
3069
Source-reported date
around 1930
Source-reported place
Switzerland

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

Case and Dial

The pocket watch is presented in a chrome-plated metal case with a diameter measuring approximately 51 mm. The exterior surfaces show indications of use consistent with age, as noted in the auction report.

The dial surface is finished in a frosted silvered tone, which displays spotting and patination accumulated over time. The chronograph layout includes a 30-minute register positioned at the top of the dial. The time and chronograph functions are indicated by blued steel hands set against the aged dial background.

Evidence for this section
  • “metal chrome-plated, hinge case back, snap on bezel”
  • “diameter approx. 51 mm”
  • “frosted silvered dial due to age spotty/patinated”
  • “with 30 minutes- register, blued steel hands”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a rhodium-plated calibre Valjoux 61 manual-winding mechanism. It is decorated with fausses cotes, a style of striping applied to the bridges and plates. The escapement is of the Swiss lever type, paired with a Breguet balance-spring to manage the oscillation of the movement.

The technical state of the movement is described as requiring significant intervention to restore function. Specifically, the auction description reports that the watch needs an overhaul and that the lever shaft requires renewal to bring the movement back to working order.

Evidence for this section
  • “rhodium plated movement, calibre Valjoux 61”
  • “Breguet balance-spring, swiss lever escapement, fausses cotes decoration”
  • “needs to be overhauled, lever shaft has to be renewed”

Condition and Attribution

The watch is attributed to Switzerland and dated to approximately 1930. It is identified as a property of a collector. The auction description assigns the piece an overall condition grade of 3, reflecting the presence of signs of use due to age as well as the mechanical issues identified in the movement analysis.

There is no specific reference to factory serial numbers or case stamps in the provided description, other than the movement calibre.

Evidence for this section
  • “Schweiz um 1930”
  • “condition 3, property of a collector”
  • “Nutzsp. altersbed., Überh. unerl., Ankerwelle zu ern.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific production timeline of the Valjoux 61 movement used in Heuer chronographs?
  • Are there identifiable internal stamps or markings on the case back that provide further manufacturing detail?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Heuer pocket watch chronograph
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerHeuer“HEUER pocket watch intermediate wheel chronograph”
CalibreValjoux 61“calibre Valjoux 61”
Case materialChrome-plated metal“metal chrome-plated”
DimensionsApproximately 51 mm“diameter approx. 51 mm”
Dial conditionFrosted, silvered, spotted/patinated“frosted silvered dial due to age spotty/patinated”
Technical statusRequires repair“needs to be overhauled, lever shaft has to be renewed”

Visible details

  • Frosted silvered dial with visible spotting
  • Blued steel hands
  • Heuer logo present on the dial
  • Hinged case back construction

Research qualifications

  • Requires an overhaul of the movement
  • Lever shaft reported to require renewal

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

Consulted source

HEUER pocket watch intermediate wheel chronograph

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 059c20e6fa

Terms in this record

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

Other chronograph records