As part of my ongoing collection rearrangement, I dug out some divers last night.

This is a c1984/5 42mm diver, about 44mm with the crown. 20mm lugs. It is the 'L' version, which means it replaced the regular 980.006. It is slimmer as the new movement was slimmer. The bezel is slightly sunken into the case, and most notable is that it has '1000' on the dial (1000 series). This model also featured a signed crown and elaborate signed caseback (the earlier versions were plain). The crown is push in, something that several of these L models have.. the early L's seem to be Screw, later are push. (I had this confirmed a while back when I got a new replacement crown from TAG Heuer for an identical (but lume dial) variant, and this crown was push in.

I love these slightly slimmer models, they have a great profile and sit on the wrist nicely, I really mean that, and a NATO doesn't make it too high. It's nice to have a big diver that isn't really thick, almost makes it a little elegant. These aren't that common, as the came in around 1984, so had a limited run due to the TAG takeover in 85.

This example is a cut above the rest, being in great clean shape, nice sharp edged case, with no major dings. The brushed top case is still nice, and sharp edges going into the polished sides. So many of these are over polished, and they look gash. There is a scratch on the back, underneath the crown guards from a careless case opening tool (I presume). The bezel is great too, many of these have beaten up inserts. The only bummer with this one is that it has slight 'hand shadow' on the dial. I'm guessing that in the distant past, it was stopped and the hands left a slight 'shadow' on the dial (either from the lume or sun bleaching in a shop window - I don't know). You can see it when viewing the dial at an angle, but when looking staright on, it's not noticeable. If you check out the photos, you can see it at 5:42 on the dial. I've tried to capture it in the first photo below. If you can live with it, then this is a great Heuer diver for the money.

I was tempted to get a 'dial oiling' done, I've seen this done to faded black vintage dial, where the restorer applies a tiny amount of special oil all over the dil, which darkens it up - but I decided against it.
Keeps perfect time too. Edit: Hasn't been pressure tested.

This nice bit of kit can be all yours for £410, head only, inc. delivery.. looks completely at home on a battered green NATO..

Thanks
Stewart
- Heuerville