The first round of the Autavia Cup saw our editor-in-chief compare his personal preferences among the 16 candidate watches with those of the thousands of watch fans who voted on the Autavia Cup website with mixed results. Now it’s time to whittle the selection down further to select four watches from eight in the second round, which runs until 14th April.
Match 1 Reference 2446 Mark 3 v Reference 3646 Mark 3
Both of these models were my favourites in their respective matches in the first round, so the first decision is the most difficult. They have the same case execution and same dial configuration, which differs only because of the different movements used (Valjoux 72 for the “Rindt” Autavia worn by Formula 1 driver Jochen Rindt, Valjoux 92 for the “Andretti” Autavia worn by Formula 1 world champion and Indy 500 champion Mario Andretti). Having previously expressed a preference for bi-compax models I’m now changing my mind after a closer look at the two dials. I originally thought that the three chronograph counters crowded the dial, but now I think the two counters actually leave too much space on the dial. The public is with me.
Match 2 Reference 2446 Mark 2 v Reference 2446 Mark 4
I chose neither of these watches in the first round, so I am forced to reconsider. In this case I opt for the Mark 4 version of the Reference 2446 with the narrower bezel and the “all lume” hour markers. Again, my vote tallies with those of the majority, but only just.
Match 3 Reference 2446C v Reference 2446C SN
It seems logical that these two models, whose dials are the inverse of each other, go head-to-head in the second round, even if I voted for neither of them in the first round! In this case I have to go “Panda” with the Reference 2446C SN – a rare prototype that never entered series production and thus deserves a second chance. So far, the other voters in the competition agree.
Match 4 Reference 2446 Mark 3 v Reference 2446 Mark 1
The Panda look seems to be on-trend, since these two “fantasy” versions in the second round of the Autavia Cup sport the black on white dial. Neither were my first choice in the first round and there is very little to separate the two for a final decision. The case, bezel and movement are identical. A closer look, however, reveals luminous hour markers and my preferred arrow-shaped hands on the Mark 1 version. I click to vote to discover that this is the only match of the four in the second round where my vote does not correspond with that of the majority.
Which watches will be the four finalists? Find out from 15th April on WorldTempus and cast your vote on the Autavia Cup website.
