TAG Heuer is the guest of our pages with the new Autavia Isograph Chronometer, which was introduced as the brand’s main novelty for the recently ended Baselworld 2019. The models that were designed departing from the classic Autavia style are equipped with advanced technology movements under their Retro looks.
The Autavia Collection, which is among the four main family models of the brand known as Heuer Classics, carries a name derived from the words Auto and Aviation. The name, which has been used in Heuer brand dashboard gauges for the first time in 1930s, continued with chronograph models that marked the 1960s and 1970s. The new Autavia Collection, which TAG Heuer focused most on Baselworld 2019, does not consist of chronograph models as in previous years.
A total of seven different references are included in the new Autavia Isograph Chronometer Collection. The model we selected for our review is the Ref. WBE5112.FC8266 version.
The new model comes in a 42mm diameter stainless steel case. The case, which offers a sporty look with matt-brushed surfaces and a large winding crown, is equipped with an anti-glare coated scratch resistant sapphire crystal on the front face. The coin-edge style metal bezel houses a domed insert made of blue ceramic. Those details that reinforces the Retro character of the models continues at the rear featuring a solid stainless-steel case back sporting a propeller and tire logo, a tribute to the automotive and aviation origins of the model. The case is water resistant to 100 meters / 10 bars, which is sufficient for daily use.
All models in the new Autavia Isograph Chronometer Collection are equipped with gradient dials that darken outward from the center. The model Ref. WBE5112.FC8266 that we opted for our review comes with a blue dial according to the theme. The dial sports frameless large Arabic numeral indices and thick sword-type hands all filled with Super LumiNOVA for enhanced legibility almost in any condition. The background that highlights the Vintage theme with its grainy patterns features all indications and texts in contrasting white, excluding the Autavia logo that is written in orange. The date display at 6 o’clock acts as both an aesthetic and a useful feature with its date disk designed in the same background color with the dial.
Another common feature of the models included in the new collection is the movements they have. The new models are powered by the brand’s Caliber 5 movement, which is actually based on the reliable Sellita SW 200. 26 jewels self-winding movement beats at a frequency of 4Hz (28.800vph) and offers a power reserve of 38 hours when fully wound. However, thanks to the refined features added by TAG Heuer, it is far beyond being entry level regarding the technical side. Caliber 5 is COSC certified for precision and accuracy. It is also equipped with the Isograph Carbon Composite hairspring that was first introduced with one of the brand’s flagship models Carrera Tourbillon Nanograph. The new hairspring offers maximum magnetic field resistance with its carbon based structure and aluminum alloy balance wheel while providing stable accuracy under extreme temperature changes.
Ref. WBE5112.FC8266 comes on an aged-look brown calf leather strap that is adorned with white contrast stitching. The strap is secured by a TAG Heuer signed pin buckle made of stainless steel. The MSRP is CHF 3,500. There another variant of the same model with a stainless steel bracelet and folding clasp.
