Heuer 980.023 Deep Dive 1000m/3300ft

Heuer Diver 980.023. 1000m/3300ft Tool diver.

This was Heuer’s first serious tool diver, rated to 100 Atmos with an unsigned crown at the 4 o’clock position to avoid wetsuit damage. It featured in Heuer’s diver line up for many years being in the 1984 to 1986 catalogues (maybe more). It was originally supplied with a rubber strap plus a rubber wetsuit extension or a metal bracelet. Here I’ve got it on a more traditional leather strap and a Heuer buckle, which sets it off nicely.

This example was bought from Germany and is in near mint condition, the only noticeable mark is a minor scratch on the bezel insert and a minuscule bit of deterioration around the edge of the dial. I love the big chunky tool-like design, some have commented that it is slightly Autavia-ish. Those eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted that the sides of the case have a light brush finish, some would call this sacrilege, but I applied this, I prefer it. However, a quick 1o mins of careful hand polishing would restore it to factory mirror finish.

Spirotechnique
Some refer to this model as the ‘Heuer Spirotechnique’, which, in my opinion is wrong…
An identical model was produced with the Spirotechnique script and diver emblem on the dial. There was also a Spiro & non Spiro model that was Automatic, but ‘only’ rated to 200m. In any case, all these models are almost impossible to find in good condition, due to them serving their owners as tool watches. This model survived the TAG acquisition and TAG Heuer versions were made, including a nice full lume dial. But this to me is the star of the show.

It’s tempting to say that this was Heuer’s only 1000m diver, but the TAG Heuer Super Professional started off life before the TAG takeover, and if you are very lucky you might find a Heuer signed Super Pro. It is however correct to say that this is the only 1000m Quartz (AS 536.121) diver that Heuer ever made, which makes it very special in my eyes.

Featured in the Heuer 1983 Catalogue