Vintage Targa Florio -- The Great Debate (May 23, 2003) In Fall 2002, there were offered and sold several chronographs represented to be new old stock (NOS) or mint examples of vintage Heuer rally watches. They were described as being original Targa Florio chronographs, produced in the 1950s and stored by a collector since that time. Additional samples were offered in Spring 2003, represented to be original vintage 1960's rally or grand prix chronographs. Over the past six months, there has been considerable debate among Heuer collectors about whether these are, in fact, original pieces produced by Heuer in the 1950's or whether they are modern-day reproductions produced by someone other than Heuer (in which case, they would be called "fakes"). We are not able to resolve this debate conclusively, but present the following as the evidence / arguments for and against the authenticity of these chronographs. We seek any additional information regarding these chronographs, and will be happy to publish any additional evidence either confirming or questioning their authenticity. Please send an e-mail if you can provide additional information. The Issue The Evidence Against These Examples: Watchmakers Watchmakers in both the United States and Switzerland, who have been with Heuer for many years, have never seen or heard of this chronograph (or even this style of Heuer chronograph). If Heuer produced this chronograph, it seems that these experts would know of its production or would have serviced them over the years. Catalogs We have reviewed numerous catalogs and brochures from the 1950's through the 1960's, and this chronograph is not described, depicted, listed or mentioned. Markings on Movements The movements in different pieces that have been sold have a variety of markings, with no consistency between these markings. This would appear to undercut the suggestion that these chronographs were a special series produced for a racing team, as they would have been produced in a single "run". Unusual Markings Two of the markings on these chronographs are "unique" (i.e., not seen on any other Heuer chronographs). These two markings are the word "Swiss" on the dial and the words "Swiss Made" on the movement. I have not seen any other Heuer chronographs with either of these markings. Construction of the Cases The "Targa Florio" has a solid stainless steel case. Heuer did not use stainless steel cases for its 1950's chronographs. During this period, cases were made of coated brass. Photos of Fangio We have inspected dozens of photographs of Juan-Manuel Fangio looking for the "Targa Florio" chronograph. YES -- he wore a variety of chronographs, even during races and practices. NO -- none of them resemble the "Targa Florio". Guilt by Association At least one of the "Targa Florio" chronographs was offered for sale together with a split-second chronograph that was clearly "put together" with out-of-period components. The case on this split-second chronograph was marked "Ed. Heuer & Co.", but the movement was marked "Heuer-Leonidas" and the movement (Valjoux 9) was never used during the Ed. Heuer years. The Re-Issue of the Targa Florio When TAG-Heuer reissued the Targa Florio as part of its Classic series, the company retold the story of it association with Fangio and his wearing a Heuer chronograph during the race. This raises the question of why TAG-Heuer never showed photographs of the "original" Targa Florio chronograph. Some believe that the "Targa Florios" now being sold as the original vintage chronographs were, in fact, copied from the re-issue model, rather than the re-issue being copied from the original. All this gets a bit complicated. Bottom Line -- So Where are These Coming From? There are reports that craftsmen in Poland and Germany are manufacturing stainless steel cases, and then transplanting Valjoux 76 movements from handheld chronographs or pocket watches (with genuine Heuers typically available for under $500) into these cases. Dials from the "donors" are then refinished, with the markings being rotated 90 degrees, as necessary, so that they are in the required positions. The Issue The Evidence in Favor of These Examples: It Must Have Existed In all its literature relating to the re-issue of the Targa Florio, TAG-Heuer refers to the chronograph that was made for Fangio in the 1950's. Accordingly, there must have been an original Targa Florio and this is "it". Bottom Line -- So Where are These Coming From? The "Targa Florio" was specially produced in very limited quantities for a factory racing team. (This explains why it is not in the catalogs and the Heuer watchmakers have never seen or heard of them.) A collector who had a connection with the team "put them away" many years ago.