17 jewel movement has just been serviced by my watchmaker and as you can see the movement is mint condition. All original except for the band which is rubber but I can change it to leather if you request. This rare watch is in excellent condition. Number on the case under the band 12 O’clock side is 314468. Size measures 42 mm from side to side not counting the crowns and 47 mm from lug end to lug end. Just replaced the crystal so it is new with no scratches. Case is stainless steel with screw on back and the winding crown is marked with the Heuer markings. Dial is original and in perfect condition. The bezel insert is in extra nice condition as you can see for the pictures. Cir 1960’s/70’s.
Ken Cooper our handsome best but only west coast sales manager has sent this short story that he believes might be true about this watch, please remember he has been known to over indulge on Thai beer. I sure hope Readers Digest doesn’t steal him away as we would surly miss his write-ups.
Sergeant Mel Methinks serving in Vietnam in late 1968 took a well deserved R&R to Bangkok, Thailand. The country was known as "The Land of Smiles" and Mel feel in love with the country and the people. In fact, Mel fell deeply in love with an exotic beauty named Sukin Udon. When it was time for Mel to return to Vietnam Sukin gave him a lovely Movado timepiece. Mel vowed to her after his duty was done in Vietnam he would return and marry her. Alas, this was not to be as Mel was badly wounded in attack on his base in Vietnam resulting in Mel being sent first to an Evac hospital in Vietnam and then to the large hospital located in Japan. Once Mel had recovered enough to fly he was sent to a military hospital near his home. Having received a severe head wound he found he could not remember where or who gave him the Movado watch, only she was lovely and he must find her. After many painful operations & treatments Mel was medically retired from the Army. Years passed and Mel tried to recall where & who the unknown exotic beauty was. Years passed and Mel gave up his quest to find her. He went to work as a low level supervisor for Jimbo's Supply Company. One day, after work, Mel's friend Stan Snerd II said they should stop and eat at a new Thai "Chop House" called the Fallen Elephant for a bite to eat & some beer. Entering the joint Mel & Sam took a booth and very soon an older but exotic Thai lady arrived to take their order. When she saw Mel she burst into tears crying loudly "Mel is that really you"? At once something snapped in Mel's brain and he shouted with tears and snot running down his face, "Sukin it's you, I remember now". Sammy unable to make sense of the scene, broke wind with a great blast, then fled leaving Mel & Sukin holding each other and crying loudly. Mel found out that Sukin had married an airman and had come to states just a few years ago. Sukin's husband, Willie Whooper, had proven to be a cad and had died in a car accident one night while drunk. Mel & Sukin made plans to see each other the next day and in a whirlwind courtship quickly married. On the day of the wedding Sukin once again gave him a lovely timepiece(it was an expensive Heuer Autavia Chronograph). They lived together for years until Mel passed away from exposure to Agent Orange & wounds received in Vietnam. Heartbroken for almost 2 years Sukin finally thought it was time to sell the Heuer watch. Arriving at a large watch show she spotted a sign proclaiming, "Good prices for Good Watches" and sitting behind the counter eating a bucket of rich creamy vanilla ice cream was a large friendly man known as Girard (AKA Mr. Large Pants). Girard reminded her of some the older friendly water buffalo she used to ride in Thailand as a youth. Telling Girard the story of her, Mel, and the watch, Girard paid her a very handsome price for the Heuer watch. Girard promised Sukin he would ask a very reasonable price when he posted it for sale. Once she departed Girard burst into raking sobs and to this day we will never know if the tears were for the price he paid for the watch or Sukin's heartbreaking story. However, true to his vow, he posted this timepiece at a very reasonable price. This is your chance to own a classic timepiece with an hell of a story behind it. One word of caution: When speaking to Girard don't ask why he's called Mr. Large Pants. Just talk about the timepiece and rich creamy vanilla ice cream.