{"product_id":"heuer-pre-carrera-vintage-chronograph-valjoux-23-ref-404n-collector-ca-1960","title":"Heuer Pre-Carrera Vintage Chronograph Valjoux 23  Ref. 404N Collector' ca 1950'","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fine and very rare Heuer Pre-Carrera  Vintage Chronograph in excellent condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClean original untouched dial, case, movement and hands\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRef. 404N  from ca. 1940-1950'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal Black Dial signed Heuer( very rare in this excellent perfect condition! Collector)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand Wound Movement, fitted with the legendary caliber Valjoux 23 used as base in early Daytonas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiam. 34.50 mm. Thickness 12.10 mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSigned Crown\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSigned Back\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSigned self winding movement \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall very good condition for its age\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extremely rare and collectible, stainless steel, hand wound, sporty chronograph wristwatch with gloss black dial, luminous dauphine hands, outer minute and 1\/5th second division, 5-minute painted luminous dart indexes, oversized 30-minute and constant second registers, small round chronograph pushers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins — Heuer before the Carrera \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo understand this watch, we have to go back before racing watches, before marketing, before icons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brand Heuer in the 1930s–1950s was:\u003cbr\u003eA technical instrument maker\u003cbr\u003eKnown for stopwatches and timing devices\u003cbr\u003eSupplying sports, aviation, and industry\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWrist chronographs like this one were not “luxury” items yet. They were tools for professionals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 404 series — a transitional generation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ref. 404 belongs to a family of chronographs produced in the Late 1940s – early 1950s\u003cbr\u003eThis period is crucial because: Watches are moving from military utility → civilian elegance, Design becomes more refined, Cases become slimmer and more wearable\u003cbr\u003eThe present example sits exactly at that turning point\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesign philosophy — before modern minimalism\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the later Carrera (1963), which was designed with radical clarity, the 404N still reflects:\u003cbr\u003eClassic chronograph layout\u003cbr\u003eSubtle decorative touches\u003cbr\u003eElegant proportions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinding one in top condition is genuinely uncommon, therefore this example stands as an exceptional survivor of the era\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Heuer Ref. 404N is a pre-Carrera chronograph from the post-war transition era, representing the moment when tool watches began evolving into the refined, iconic designs that would define modern horology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy We Love It:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDates back from the late 1940s–1950s golden era of mechanical chronographs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRarer and more “connoisseur-level” than a Carrera\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect untouched collector condition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmazing. patina\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack untouched dial with luminous dauphine hands \u0026amp; Clean 2-register layout. \n\u003cp\u003eBlack dials were: More technical, Harder to produce cleanly, Less common \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Heuer","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55515071086968,"sku":null,"price":8500.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0606\/2997\/5259\/files\/Heuer_Pre-Carrera_Vintage_Chronograph_Valjoux_23_Ref._404N_Collector_ca_1950.jpg?v=1774692707","url":"https:\/\/24time.swiss\/products\/heuer-pre-carrera-vintage-chronograph-valjoux-23-ref-404n-collector-ca-1960","provider":"24Time","version":"1.0","type":"link"}