What is also seldom mentioned concerning the self-winding Caliber 11 is the fact it had been no accident it was introduced in 1969
In addition to the several-year term it took to develop the concept cartier Ballon Bleu replica, Heuer intended to go public in late 1969 or early 1970, and Jack wanted a break-away new product to ride into prospective investors favor. The Caliber 11 was it, and Heuer became the second Swiss watchmaker to go public (after Girard-Perregaux) on April 24th, 1970, at the height of the popularity of the Caliber 11 chronographs, including the Monaco.
If you have a greater interest in learning more about the race to build the first automatic chronograph, there isn't a better reference out there than Jeff Stein's "Project 99" article first published in iW Magazine in 2008.
As I mentioned above, the Monaco is breitling Chronomat replica phenomenally well known by watch lovers and non-watch lovers due to its iconic role in the film LeMans on the wrist of Mr. Steven McQueen. There are lots of rumors about just how this came to be, but the story, as per Jack Heuer himself, is this: In 1968, Jack Heuer cut what can be described as the first ambassador deal in professional sports and timekeeping, and he did so with Jo Siffert.
Siffert had just beaten the likes of Jackie Stewart and omega Moonwatch replica Jacky Ickx at the British Grand Prix and was one of the hottest names in Formula One. Siffert happened to be a genuine watch lover and was keen to get involved with Heuer.