Heuer Ref. 3249 Up-Down Chronograph c1930s/40s

‘2 Heuer 2’ Up-Down 1930/40’s Chronograph, Venus 170 movement. Ref. 3249 Telemetre

I have to admit that most of the information about this unusual ‘2 Heuer 2’ type of chronograph has been gleaned from the research that a fellow collector has done – Jarl Fr. Erichsen, who has collected a couple of these small wonders over the years. It is driven by a Venus 170 movement, correctly unsigned. Apparently the early Heuers from this period where commonly only signed on the dial. Jarl’s examples are all unsigned as was another that HeuerBoy sold a long while ago. The serial numbers all seem to be very close, Jarl’s being 102645, 103676 and 104352. Mine being 104561.

Made mid/late 1930’s to early 40’s, some have suggested that they were for military use, but there is no supporting evidence for this. They may well have seen action, but an old advert that Jarl found points towards civilian use.
For photos and an insight into the early research Jarl did in 2008, see his post on the OTD forums.
Since that initial post, Jarl found an old Heuer advert with the mysterious 2Heuer2 depicted. The mystery was solved… Here is what Jarl says on his blog:

I have just found a Heuer advert from 1942 that shows the little chronograph. This is the first time ever, I have seen any information about these chronographs. The are not military, but Heuers cheapest chronograph offer.

In the down left corner of the ad. is a little black up/down chronograph with the 2Heuer2 logo. It is listed as Ref. 3249 Nickel/Steel case back priced at Fr. 93,- It seems like it was a low-price model. A regular left/right steel chronograph with Valjoux movement was Fr. 198,-

There is at least two different dial design for Ref.3249, one with telemeter and tachymeter, and one, like mine, with a seconds scale.

This should confirm that these are genuine early Heuer Chronographs. Heuer did not sign all movements untill 1945.
– Jarl Fr. Erichsen – Classic Heuers – Click here to see the full advert