The last of the great automatic chronographs made by Heuer Watch Company in 1978... The Verona was about purity, going back to its roots. More notably a place in northern Italy, known for Romeo & Shakespeare and it's stunning 1st century Roman Arena.
1978 Heuer Verona Chronograph Cal. 12
Brand: Heuer
Model: Verona
Reference: 110.213
Serial: xxxxxx
Year: Circa 1978/79
Dial: Gloss black dial
Dimensions: 38 mm excluding crown
Function: Auto, timekeeping, Date function
Caliber: 12
Strap: Black calf
Accessories: Company watch pouch, Heuer buckle and service box
The 110.023 or as it is more affectionately known "The Verona" was an important pivotal moment in Heuer's design, stripping back what was once a colourful and larger than life era of the Caliber 12, and making it more elegant, restrained and even simplifying the design language. It marks and important time when the Quartz crisis pushed Swiss watchmaking to another level. If anything doing what Heuer did best during the 1960s bearing some resemblance to the Carrera, possibly one of our favourite designs.
Here we have an incredibly scarce and quietly significant piece from the late era of mechanical chronograph production — the Heuer Verona, dating to circa 1978, and representing one of the final chapters before the full force of the quartz crisis reshaped the Swiss watch industry.
Produced at a time when many brands were leaning into bold, oversized, and often flamboyant designs in an attempt to compete with emerging quartz technology, the Verona took an entirely different path. It is restrained, deliberate, and unmistakably elegant — a watch that whispers rather than shouts.
The deep, glossy black dial is its defining feature. Rich and mirror-like, it provides a striking contrast to the bone white baton hands and clean, legible layout. There’s an undeniable nod here to the purity of early Heuer Carrera design language — that same focus on clarity, balance, and functional beauty — but interpreted through a late-1970s lens.
The case architecture offers further intrigue. The inverted crown configuration is both unusual and purposeful, allowing for winding with the opposite hand — a subtle but thoughtful ergonomic detail. The riveted pump pushers hark back to 1960s chronograph design, creating a compelling blend of eras: a watch that feels transitional, sitting right at the crossroads of classic and modern.
On the wrist, the Verona carries far more presence than its restrained design might suggest. The glossy dial plays with the light beautifully, giving the watch a depth and character that constantly reveals itself depending on the angle.
Importantly, this example is presented in all-original condition — something that is becoming increasingly difficult to source with these. The Heuer Verona is seldom seen on the open market, and when examples do surface, they are typically met with swift interest from collectors who understand their place in the broader narrative of chronograph evolution.
A rare and under-the-radar chronograph that captures a pivotal moment in horological history — refined, distinctive, and increasingly collectible.
