The Exorcist Watch: Heuer Autavia 2446

Halloween is upon us, and our watches tick ever closer to midnight; the witching hour. Typically a night set aside for screams and frightful dreams, Halloween has a longstanding affiliation with cinema, hand in hand ever since the turn of the twentieth century and the silent movie era.

However, one partnership many ignore is the bond between horror and horology; phonetically, it is almost kismet… When one thinks of horror, many people’s first thought is towards the 1973 classic, The Exorcist, however even ardent horologists may be unaware of the stunning, and similarly classic, chronograph which makes an appearance in the, often dubbed, “scariest film of all time.”

The Exorcist

The Exorcist is one of the most influential horror films to hit the silver screen, having been adapted from the novel of the same name – in turn, based on a true story. The film follows the story of Regan, played by Linda Blair, who becomes possessed by ‘The Devil’, manifesting itself through violent outburst and a tirade of less-than-wholesome language. Dr. Barringer, portrayed by Peter Masterson, conducts tests on Regan to discover the true cause of the happenings; when defending his inconclusive results, Barringer’s sleeve rolls up to reveal the stunning Heuer Autavia 2446.

Heuer Autavia 2446

The Heuer Autavia 2446, part of the TAG Heuer family which we have in store at Banks Lyon, has firmly claimed its place in horology and horror history. The chronograph was originally designed to be used during auto and aeronautical events and was initially released in 1962. Since then, the timepiece has undergone numerous variations, with the one sported in The Exorcist being the 1969 Heuer Autavia 2446; evident by the red chronograph sweep hand.

Stunning in its appearance, the 40mm diameter compression case houses the intricate and reliable Valjoux 72 caliber movement. The bezel options of the timepiece included the hour and minute/hour as well as boasting a Tachymeter, true to its original auto and aeronautical purpose. The Autavia 2446 was released with two different cases, each displaying subtle details; the first offered an engraved back, plain pushers with plain steel hands, where the second presented a plain back, fluted pushers with hour and minute hands that had a black insert. It’s these intricate attentions to detail which indicate Heuer’s craftsmanship from so early in their life as watch specialists.

The watch offers a level of masculinity that has no doubt been an influence on many timepieces from the modern era. TAG Heuer are synonymous with the world of sport, with longstanding ties to motorsport in particular, and while their venture into the world of horror may have been a brief one, their distinction and attention to constructing an enviable and bold chronograph remained the same.

TAG Heuer constantly offers something a little different to the norm, while still managing to remain firmly in keeping with all the traditional values and attention to craftsmanship that one associates with a fine timepiece; much like the way The Exorcist pushed the boundaries of horror filmmaking, raising the benchmark for any subsequent filmmakers.

Visit Banks Lyon to witness the fantastic TAG Heuer dedications to style and fashion, offering even the more discerning gentleman the ultimate dinner partner, with their female ranges promoting a sleek and delicate finish to offer the perfect complement to unique chic. To book an appointment, or to speak to our friendly team of experts with regards to our further ranges, then don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact us on 01524 38 48 58, where we are always eager to help find the chronograph for you.

Have a spooktacular Halloween!