Heuer Carrera 12 Dato -- Recognition Guide

On this page, we examine Heuer's Carrera 12 Dato, along with the "Poor Man's" versions of this watch (made by Heuer for Clebar and Zodiac).

 Carrera 12 Dato -- Snap-Back

Shown above are three versions of the Heuer Carrera 12 Dato -- black dial with white registers; white dial with white registers; and white dial with black registers. These are identical snap-back cases; notice the thin, simple-shaped lugs.
 "Poor Man's" Dato 12's -- Snap-Back

The "Poor Man's" Dato 12's shown above -- sold under the names Clebar and Zodiac -- were made by Heuer. The cases are identical to the Heuer Carrera 12 Dato's -- snap-backs, with "thin", simple-shaped lugs.
Carrera 12 Dato -- Screw-Back (Early Version)

This is the earlier version of the Carrera 12 Dato, with a screw-back case and larger, more complex lugs. Notice that the lugs are "fatter" than on the later snap-back model, and extend all the way around the pushers. This version of the Carrera 12 Dato is very rare, as Heuer soon switched to the snap-back case.

To the Left, a careful examination of the numerals and markings in the registers raises the question of whether the dial may have been refinished; an original dial is shown on the Right. Below, the dial on the Left shows less precision in the spacing between the outer date track and the inner seconds track. Notice that the date "31" and the "60" seconds appear to collide.
Clebar Dato 12 -- Screw-Back (Early Version)

This Clebar Dato 12 was produced by Heuer, for Clebar. Case, dial, hands and movement appear to be identical, between the Heuer and the Clebar.