1950s Heuer 'Baylor' Chronograph 2444

Venerable manual wind Valjoux 72 movement, three register chronograph, silver dial with applied hour markers, original luminous dauphine hands, acrylic crystal, 126XX serial, circa later 1950s.

Due to its historical significance and connection to the Carrera line, the Heuer 2444 has gained popularity among vintage watch collectors. Examples in good condition, with original components, have become sought after by those who appreciate the heritage of Heuer timepieces.

The watch is powered by the famous Valjoux 72 movement, which perfectly turns the counters, minutes, seconds and 12h of the chronograph.

Heuer chronographs from the 1950s are special on their own, add in Zales provenance and super crisp condition and you have something to write home about.

Background:

Heuer boasts a rich legacy in tool watch production. From stopwatches to chronographs, this company has mastered the art of timing. Heuer began offering two-register chronographs in the 1930s and three-register models in the early 1940s. These timepieces came in various configurations, featuring black or white dials, lume or non-lume, waterproof screw-back or snap casebacks, and stainless steel or gold cases.

Before the Carrera's debut in 1963, Heuer's two and three-register chronographs from the 1950s and early 60s served as prototypes for what would become the iconic Carrera line. Collectors and researchers have since dubbed these earlier models "Pre-Carreras."

An often overlooked aspect of Heuer's storied history is the white-label watches it produced for various retailers worldwide. While Heuer’s collaborations with Abercrombie & Fitch are well-known, its partnerships with Zales—yes, Zales, The Diamond Store—and Baylor Watch Co. are equally noteworthy. Just as Abercrombie & Fitch catered to New York City's elite, Zales provided Texans with some of the finest jewelry and timepieces. Baylor Watch Co. was Zales' in-house Swiss watch line, many of which were manufactured by Heuer.

This Heuer and Baylor co-branded reference 2444 is exceptionally well-preserved and rightfully earns the "Pre-Carrera" moniker. Introduced by Heuer in 1959 and produced until the Carrera's release in 1963, the 2444 enjoyed a relatively brief production run.

In addition to the Baylor name positioned above the Heuer logo at 12 o'clock, further connections to the US market can be found in the Valjoux caliber 72 movement. The "ZOA" import code stamped on the movement is the recognized American import code for Baylor Watch Co., affirming the Zales provenance indicated on the dial.

Condition:

This Heuer is in excellent condition for its age. The case is strong with only light scuffs. scratches and light nicks. The facets are crisp on the lugs. The back of the lugs have some light scratches. The caseback has some light marks. The serial number is visible between the lugs at 6 o'clock. This watch does not have the reference number stamped between the lugs; this is correct for this era of Heuer.

The dial has a light patina overall but presents in stunning condition. The thin strip of lume on the hands has mostly flaked off.   Both pushers show even wear at the ends.

The dial, case, and movement are signed by Heuer. The dial is also signed by Baylor. The crown is signed.

The movement has been checked & regulated by our watchmaker and is running strongly for its age, gaining approximately 7 seconds per day with an amplitude of 256.

Specifications:

Maker: Heuer

Model: Chronograph

Reference: 2444

Year: Circa 1959

Material: Stainless steel

Dimensions: 36.5mm diameter; 12.5mm thickness

Crystal: Plexiglass

Caliber: Heuer-signed Valjoux, manually-wound, caliber 72

Lug Width: 18mm

Box/Papers: No