Why We Love It

There was a time when a Heuer Camaro was fairly easy to come by...

Notice we say was.

While a Camaro isn't necessarily impossible to find, good condition examples are getting more and more difficult by the day. Even more so, there are certain executions that are damn near unobtanium. This Reference 73443 Exotic Date model is one of them.

Featuring the same two-tone silver/grey configuration with orange accents as its sibling , the 73443 steps it up with the addition of a Valjoux 7734 manual-wind chronograph movement with date function. The addition of a date aperture at 6:00 brings balance to the dial layout (not to mention added usability) and is without question the most pleasantly unusual Camaro configuration in the lineup.

This particular example is in truly fantastic condition, featuring a strong case, beautiful dial with all of its lume plots intact, and a beautiful even patina. For lovers of the weird and wonderful world of 60s/70s chronographs, this one is pretty tough to beat. 

The Story

Heuer launched the Camaro in 1968, before the introduction of the first automatic-winding movement, the Chronomatic, was fitted into the Monaco, the Autavia and the Carrera lines the following year. Last seen in the 1972 catalog, the Camaro had one of the shortest production runs of all the models from the 60s and 70s, leading to their relative rarity today.

In a sense, the Camaro is a blend of the early manually-wound Carreras and the later Monacos, with the combination of a square cushion case and straight lugs, evocative of a Monaco, and manual calibers and dials similar to Carreras. Larger than a Carrera but without the heft of a Monaco, the Camaro is as comfortable on the wrist as it is stylish.

Despite a case measuring 37mm, the Camaro wears larger than the numbers might suggest as is typical with square and cushion case watches. The hand-crank Valjoux movement lends itself to a thin case, allowing for a lower profile than the Calibre 11-driven chronos of the 1970s. The case features a variety of finishes, notably the signature Heuer sunburst finish on the top of the case, beveling down into a polished outer perimeter and the polished finish continuing onto the sides of the case and lugs.  Coming in an array of dial and movement combinations, the Camaro offers an incredible opportunity for any fan of vintage Heuer.