Why This Watch Matters
The carefully contrived beauty of the Carrera design gets a luxurious upgrade with an 18k-yellow-gold case.
The Full Story
As mentioned in a previous HODINKEE article describing the evolution of the very first Carrera, these bold, beveled lugs were specifically selected by Jack Heuer from a design by famed casemaker Piquerez to match the legibility and painstaking attention to detail given to the rest of the watch. In 18k yellow gold, these lugs are even more impressive and allow the watch to wear much larger than its 36mm diameter would suggest. The beauty of this watch is only exceeded by its rarity, as yellow-gold Carreras were made in highly limited quantities. Even fewer were made with either red tachymeter or blue decimal outer tracks; the red tachymeter track contrasts boldly with the cream dial. This watch has aesthetics that cannot be beat.
The Fine Print
Maker: Heuer
Model: Carrera
Reference: 2456T
Year: 1960s
Case No: N/A
Material: 18k yellow gold
Dimensions: 35mm diameter; 12mm thickness
Crystal: Plexi
Lume: Tritium
Caliber: Manual-winding Valjoux 72 movement
Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE Faded Brown Calfskin strap
Lug Width: 18mm
Box/Papers: No
What we Love and What You Should Know
The screw-down caseback bears evidence of previous polishings, but the lugs themselves are full and oversized as with the rest of the Carrera line. The tritium on the indexes and handset has aged to a beautiful creamy custard color. The hallmarks between the lugs are still visible, while the caseback exhibits some imperfections. There are light scratches on the handset, likely from previous servicings. The recessed guilloché sub-dials show no signs of aging, and the watch comes with a signed 18k-yellow-gold Heuer buckle.
