Hi Ted,
That's a bit of bad luck. I agree with what Paul has said, I can't add anything... but, have you thought about a large magnet on a piece of string, or was it deep water? (I'm presuming here that a stainless steel bezel is magnetic, I don't actually know!)

: Hi Ted
: I have seen the odd one pop up on ebay. Alternatively, email a
: picture of the watch to the Tag Heuer service team in
: Switzerland and ask them if they have them in stock. If they do
: (which is unlikely) you will have to send the watch to them for
: a service. It will cost you but you will have a NOS bezel (if
: they have one) and a refurbished 980.023. Other than that I have
: no other suggestions but if you do find a source let us know.
: regards
: Paul
: www.heuerworld.com