Shortly before and after TAG's takeover of Heuer in the mid-1980s, the latter produced a line of legendary divers, first in Monin, France, with automatic movements, and subsequently in Switzerland with Swiss quartz movements - the example here is one of those latter divers, a 1985 TAG Heuer Ref. 980.013B dive watch, on its original Heuer-signed bracelet and with Heuer inner/outer boxes, instructions manual, and warranty booklet.
This quintessential no-nonsense Heuer tool watch was produced between circa 1981-4. For a brief history of these amazing Heuer divers, as noted in a fascinating Hodinkee article, “A Personal Note: Marking Time With A Humble Heuer” - “In 1980, Heuer decided it was time to build a proper dive watch. Sure, years earlier, it had fitted its "Automotive-Aviation" Autavia chronograph with a diving bezel, but the brand was largely focused on motorsports watches, which is where it had built its reputation."
But in the late '70s, as Jack Heuer tells it in his autobiography, Heuer was at a sporting goods trade show in Europe and was approached by a diving equipment company that was having trouble finding quality dive watches that could be co-branded, G. Monnin. And the rest was literally history...
The Heuer diver would go on to become one of the company’s bestselling models ever, even lasting into the early '90s under the new TAG Heuer banner. After a year of outsourcing to Monnin, Heuer took over the manufacturing of the ref. 844, re-named the 980.XXX, and sold in a myriad of versions, with different case sizes in gold or steel (even two-tone), a PVD version (both black and camo green), and orange, black, and full-lume dials, all with bracelet or rubber strap. And yes, even a full lume dial variant.
Dive watches were immensely popular and coupled with the co-branding opportunities, Heuer sold thousands of what would become the 980 model, with both automatic and quartz movements.
This Heuer 980.013 diver comes on its original Heuer-signed stainless-steel diver bracelet, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, springbar tool, inner/outer boxes, and instructions manual/warranty paperwork.
1985 TAG Heuer 1000 Ref. 980.013B Diver, w/Boxes & Papers
DIAL: Signed black dial; script remains crisp and defined - no blemishes or imperfections. Date display at the 3 o’clock position works as designed. Matching stainless-steel “Mercedes” hour, minute, and second hands, with matching lume. Lume on dial and hands remains bright, following exposure to strong light.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 38mm (41mm w/crown) x 45mm, with matching caseback. Bezel insert is in good condition, despite age; bezel rachets when rotated counter-clockwise, as designed.
CRYSTAL: Saphire crystal is deep scratch and crack-free.
BAND: This Heuer diver comes on its original stainless-steel Heuer-signed bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 7.5 inch wrist (or 8.5 inch wrist, if the wetsuit extension is utilized), links remain tight. This diver also comes with a black nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Heuer ETA 955.114 quartz movement.
CROWN: Stainless-steel screw-down crown.
Of note, this Heuer diver comes with its original Heuer inner and outer boxes, and with its Heuer instructions manual and warranty booklet.