Introducing: TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph 2019 Collection

As a name Autavia stretches right back to the 1930s (or earlier, depending on who you ask) as a racing dashboard instrument and in the decades since has gone through many incarnations. Since production ceased in 1985 however, those incarnations have been as part of wider collections, a simple little nod to the past here and there. Not so now. For 2019 TAG Heuer is giving the Autavia its own spin-off collection and it’s measuring up to be as much of a classic as Frasier.

The specific inspiration for the modern Autavia collection comes directly from the original 1962 version designed by Jack Heuer himself. More of a hybrid land and air watch than the track-focused Carrera, if you manage to find a vintage version, grab it – it’s a classic. The new seven new references in the updated collection still have most of those hallmarks, just a little more modern.

The 42mm case is pure 1960s, taken lugs and all from the original model. It has a cool, cockpit feel, functional and hardwearing, emphasised by the oversized crown meant for gloved pilots’ hands. The fume dials are stunning and imitate the kind of fading you might get on a vintage watch, just entirely intentional.

Those dials have the additional effect of making the watches a hell of a lot more interesting. The new Autavias are nice, but without that smoky effect they’d feel a bit two-dimensional. As things stand, they’re seriously cool, particularly in the bronze cases.

Of the five steel and two bronze-cased versions, the latter are the pick of the bunch. Not only does the materials famous patina enhance the vintage feel (despite there being no bronze-cased Autavias before now) they boast the two best dials: the now-mandatory military green and a lovely warm brown.

Inside – though you can’t see it thanks to an engraved rather than exhibition caseback – is the latest calibre 5 movement with its carbon-flavoured Isograph hairpspring. Think all the benefits of silicon – non-magnetic, more consistent to produce, etc – just not silicon.

It’s been a good long while since TAG Heuer introduced an entirely new collection and it’s been even longer since the Autavia deserved a revival. Now both are here at once and they were worth the wait.

Price & Specs:

• • • • Model Name: TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph 2019
        Ref: WBE5112.FC8266 (blue dial and bezel, brown leather strap), WBE5110.FC8266 (black dial and bezel, brown leather strap), WBE5111.FC8267 (grey dial, steel bezel, brown leather strap), WBE5112.EB0173 (blue dial and bezel, stainless-steel bracelet and NATO strap), WBE5110.EB0173 (black dial and bezel, stainless-steel bracelet and NATO strap)
        • Case: Diameter 42mm, stainless steel case, bidirectional rotating bezel in blue or black ceramic or stainless steel, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
          Dial: Blue, black or grey smoked dial, rhodium-plated indexes and hands filled with SuperLuminova®
          • Movement: Automatic Calibre 5 with new in-house Isograph hairspring, chronometer-certified
            Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
          • Power Reserve: 38h
            Water Resistance: 10 bar (100m / 330ft)
            Strap: Light or dark brown calfskin strap or stainless-steel bracelet, pin buckle in stainless steel
          • Price & Availability: CHF 3,400 (steel with steel bezel on leather), CHF 3,500 (steel with ceramic bezel on leather strap), CHF 3,850 (steel with ceramic bezel on steel bracelet)
        • Model Name: TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph 2019 (Bronze)
          Ref: WBE5191.FC8276 (brown dial and bezel, brown calfskin strap), WBE5190.FC8268 (green dial, black bezel, khaki calfskin strap)
        • Case: 42mm diameter, bronze case, bidirectional rotating bezel in brown or black ceramic, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
          Dial: Brown or green smoked dial, rhodium-plated indexes and hands filled with SuperLuminova®
          • Movement: Automatic Calibre 5 with new in-house Isograph hairspring, chronometer-certified
            Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
          • Power Reserve: 38h
            Water Resistance: 10 bar (100m / 330ft)
            Strap: Dark brown or khaki calfskin leather strap, pin buckle in bronze
          • Price & Availability: CHF 4,200

For more information visit Tag Heuer’s website.