ReviewThe 2019 TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph: A Re-engineered Reboot

Over the years, we’ve seen a few Autavia watches, and they’ve all been exemplary re-editions of historical pieces from Heuer—the former name of the TAG Heuer watch company. This year though, Autavia, the heritage line, has given birth to Autavia, the modern line. “The heritage limited editions were under the Heuer name, but now, by bringing Autavia under the TAG Heuer name, we’ve created a new pillar for our brand. It’s like bringing our past into the future,” informs Guy Bove, TAG Heuer’s product director.

The Autavia Goes Modern

The contemporary watches house TAG Heuer’s ground-breaking Isograph technology—the basic idea of which is to use weightless hairsprings made of a carbon compound. This new tech, which the brand introduced earlier in the year, eliminates magnetic and gravitational interference from the functioning of the chronometer-certified movement, and this enhances its accuracy significantly. A genius inclusion in this first edition of the modern Autavia collection, the Isograph isn’t the only element that makes it innovative. “It’s a very contemporary watch, in design and in terms of materials,” states Bove. Yet, there’s a lot of heritage in the pieces, he adds.

Previous Autavia watches have been released under the old 'Heuer' name of the brand, as re-editions of historic pieces

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This 2019 edition is the first modern Autavia series, which draws inspiration from the past, but is a completely new watch; not a remake of an old one

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The new Autavia watches come with easily interchangeable straps—an increasingly popular feature these days

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The Autavia Isograph features large Super-LumiNova block numerals—one of the distinctly modern elements of the watch

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The movement powering these watches is chronometer certified—over and above the added accuracy that the Isograph technology promises

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Automobile + Aviation = Autavia

The collection’s name itself goes back to the 1930s, when Heuer manufactured a dashboard clock that could be used in planes and cars. Later in the 60s, Jack Heuer—a descendant of the founder—designed his first wristwatch for the brand.

These timepieces represent the evolution of the TAG Heuer calibre 5, the latest version of which powers the Autavia Isograph. These even include the historical Heuer dashboard chronograph (extreme left)

“This extremely legible chronograph was the first watch in history to have a turning bezel, which immediately gives it a tool watch feel.” Bove reveals, “The case and the bezel of the new Autavia are based on those designs by Jack Heuer.” Yet, even the inspiration is adapted for the 21st century. Heuer’s bezel was in aluminium, while the new Autavia’s is in ceramic. “And if you look at the numerals, they are thick LumiNova blocks, which give the dial a 3D look. We didn’t have this on the dashboard clocks, which had printed dials,” Bove elucidates.

Actor, race car driver and TAG Heuer ambassador Patrick Dempsey is the face of Autavia

Dempsey, best known as an actor, has revealed that his true passions are cars and racing

When Dempsey exited the hugely popular TV series 'Grey's Anatomy', he had even said that acting was just what 'paid the bills'

His passion for racing, and the glamour quotient he brings as an actor, make Dempsey the ideal face of Autavia

He truly represents the distinguished and masculine appeal of the modern TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph

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Adding a further touch of modernity is the interchangeability of the straps of these new watches. Hugely popular these days, this feature allows you to mix and match the calfskin, elegant stainless steel and casual NATO straps with the blue, black, smoky grey and green dial variants. With a 42mm case and water resistance of 100m, the collection comprises five steel and two bronze versions.

The exclusive bronze versions of the Autavia come with a dial in either green or brown

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The default straps complement the dials, but can be easily interchanged

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A strong addition to the TAG Heuer portfolio, the new Autavia series makes for a fine collection of modern, innovative tool watches that still capture hints of a vintage aesthetic. Almost quite literally a cross between an aviation and a motorsport watch, the Autavia line offers a good blend of the sophisticated and the sporty. The appeal is hardly restrictive, even with the range of colours. The interchangeable straps make it all the more versatile and extremely modern. Moreover, with the Isograph technology, you won’t be disappointed owing to its ability to continuously perform with accuracy and requiring minimum maintenance. The new Autavia Isograph certainly would be a strong choice, without a doubt.

A strong addition to the TAG Heuer portfolio, the new Autavia series makes for a fine collection of modern, innovative tool watches that still capture hints of a vintage aesthetic