Heuer and Motorsport are synonymous. Motorsport without Heuer would be like a ‘Kiss without the squeeze’ or ‘Jam without the cheese’, totally unthinkable!

Heuer invented the first dashboard chronograph in the early 1900s and was a long-term partner in motoring and the timing of motoring events. Indeed, since the early days of the automobile’s inception.

Jack Heuer’s ethos for all his timepieces was that legibility and functionality should take precedence, after all, taking your eyes off the road for any length of time can be a dangerous thing. Heuer knocked the ball out of the park with the Monte-Carlo & Master-Time combination and that’s what we have here.

Beautifully presented (or functionally presented, depending on your viewpoint!), on a chromed Heuer-Leonidas SA metal back plate with four holes to attach the pair to your dash. It must be said, one of the holes for a screw is hidden by the “reset” button and can’t be used. However, it is probably wise to use Velcro to attach to a dash, given their value!

This pair of original Heuer Master-Time & Monte-Carlo was bought new as a gift from Father to Son in the early 70s, to celebrate the son’s new job as a “Works Driver” for Renault Alpine. We are selling these on behalf of the son, who has hung up his rally boots!

The Master-Time is an 8-day clock, serial number 22058, powered by an Arogno calibre 28 movement, with 15 jewels. The Monte Carlo is a 12-hour stopwatch, with serial number 54440, which features a Valjoux 7714 calibre movement: this time with 7 jewels. Both movements have just had a full service, so are ready and waiting for their next timed event!

Both timepieces have wonderfully clear and purposeful displays, with ultra-clear dials and masterful, extra-large crowns and pushers making them easy to operate, even when wearing thick driving gloves.

Although there is some very minor surface wear to the casings, these clocks remain remarkably well preserved for their age, with the original chrome plating still in great shape. Both serial numbers are clearly visible.

On the faces, the dials and the luminous coating of the markings and hands have developed a handsome ‘patina’, particularly on the Master-Time hour & minute hands, suggesting water intrusion at some time.

Both crystals are clear with no cracks. The Master Time crystal has a “ding” or chip over the logo at 12:01 and a couple of very minor chips to its edge at 12:07 and 12:37, but nothing to be concerned by. The Monte Carlo also has a ding on the edge at the 40-second marker but again, it’s not concerning. The bezels, although lightly worn, are worn in all the right places.

Having been used during motoring events as designed, these original Heuer dashboard timepieces are in excellent working order and have been recently serviced, so they work as they should. They would make a fine addition to any competition-prepared Renault Alpine or other classic car, or competition-prepared “Mancave” desk, or automobilia display for that matter!

Clearly, they are a delight to behold.

The two-button Monte Carlo is operated as follows:- wind the timer using the crown (at the centre)

– you start the timer by pressing the crown; pressing the crown again will stop the timer (“time out”); press the crown again to restart the timer (“time in”). The time-out / time-in functions may be used repeatedly.

– you stop the timer by pressing the crown

– with the timer stopped, press the right pusher to reset the minute and second
hands, and the hour disk at 6, to zero.

So, a great pair of timing pieces, with true “in-period” use at the highest level of Rally Sport; ready for their next adventure.

3-2-1 Go!