I have found over the years that there is a surprising correlation between vintage automobile and vintage watch fans — including me. This Heuer Camaro (yes, it was named after the car, more about that later) was designed and introduced by the famous timepiece manufacturer in 1968, just before their Chronomatic self-winding watches took off. This particular self-wind watch is fully functional and is listed for sale here on eBay, where heavy bidding has just broached the $1,000 mark. If you are the lucky high bidder, the watch will ship from Bellflower, California.
Heuer (and later TAG-Heuer) have sponsored races and racing cars almost from the onset of auto competitions. I grew up seeing the Heuer logo on telecasts and in the pages of Road & Track and similar magazines, and I remember thinking how cool Steve McQueen’s watch looked in the movie Le Mans. Of course, it was a Heuer. According to this incredibly detailed guide on the Heuer Camaro, the watch was named after the car in an effort to strengthen Heuer’s position in the American market as a result of the Camaro being named the pace car for the Indy 500. The distinctive not round but not square case is known as a “cushion” shape, and it makes the Camaro stand out from other similar vintage chronographs.
This particular Camaro features the Valjoux 7736 movement, the basis of which is still used today and provides a three sub-register face with, in this case, a white on black dial. I decided to do some research on other Heuer Camaros for sale; they are actually quite rare as production ended in 1972. The average price of used Camaros on the market was in the $4,500 to $5000 range, with some sales ranging as high as $10,000. Which, while still being lower than the average price for a running 1968 Camaro Super Sport (the Chevrolet version) at $27,400, is still a sizeable chunk of change.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this rather unusual find – don’t worry, we aren’t turning the site into Watch Finds, but occassionally we post automotive-related items of interest. Tell us about your automotive-themed watches and what your favorite one is!
I was wearing one just like this, except it was blue, when I took my drivers test.
I always look forward to hearing about your drivers test. By the way, did you ever pass?
I have yet to pas it. My eye doctor says that I’m actually color blind. For now I guess I’ll just go fishin
No question – fine vintage watches and fine vintage cars appeal to those who appreciate engineering, history and style. Might also throw in vintage aircraft, but those tend to be slightly less accessible to most.
Yes, unfortunately some of us must keep out finances grounded.
Pretty sure Heuer was one of the companies that made the calibrated 3 gauge sets used on sports car rallies very common in the US and probably Europe and central America in the 1950’s and 60’s.
So they were aiming marketing to this upwardly mobile, tech savvy group with a couple product lines.
Maybe otherts could add some more info about TSD (time, speed, distance) rallying in the 50’s?
I was a navigator in one as a 16 year old and NOT very good help, I think! In a 1960 Sprite.
Under $2k is a pretty good deal for this watch. Expect another $500-1000 for restoration, but a much better value than some of the overpriced name brands out there.
Why would restoration be required, or even desired? The listing indicates that the watch functions properly, and it looks ok to me.
I think I have one of these movements in a drawer in my bench…
CMW, 1974
Diggin’ it. Obviously not a Chevy guy, but I am a huge fan of Heuer / Tag Heuer- great post.
Fantastic, creative story, Jamie!
I’m a fan of the Heuer/TAG Heuer stuff too and I’ve never heard of the Camaro version. Neat find and great writeup, Jamie!
Not Watch Finds but Bedroom Finds
If it ever became Bedroom finds I would hate to see what would turn up. Lol.
I agree. If BF finds any more of this sort of fascinating things by all means let us know.
I think I’d prefer that one over the Monaco if it too had a blue face. Nice.
Being from a time when watches were a necessity I really love this watch. In 67 my Dad got a key chain with a Camaro on it. He was a Chevy guy at the time. I think it was a promotional offer either from the back of a box of some sort or through an ad in a magazine. It looked like pewter but must have been made from a more durable material because it lasted for years. I am more of a motorcycle guy and love racing so Tassot is a brand that give me that same feeling you are talking about. My wife surprised me back in the early 2000’s with a beautiful Nicky Hayden Tossot Chronograph that came inside a miniture full face helmet. She found it on EBay and won’t tell me what she paid for it. It was when Nicky wasn’t performing as well as he did in ’06 when he won the Motogp championship. So I hope she got it for a good price. No idea what it’s worth now. Be safe.
Tissot.
Pronounced “Teessoh” I believe….
RIP Nicky!
SOLD for $2,375.
I’m sure it’s a nice watch but there are millions of ‘nice watches’. This one just happens to say ‘Camaro’ on the face. Nothing else special about it.
So what’s on TV?