Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and your receiving this gift from your father. Let me offer a quick reply, and hopefully we can offer more information over the next few hours or days.

You have a Carrera, Reference 7853 S . . . meaning that it has a C-shape case (versus the traditional round case, from the 1960s), with the silver dial and black registers. This is a manual-wind chronograph, powered by the Valjoux 7734 movement.

If it is keeping good time, then you could wear it for a few days, as is, without doing any real damage to the watch. (Perhaps some of our more technically inclined members will suggest otherwise. Think of it as finding a 1972 Porsche in the garage, and realizing that it will need lubricants and seals, before you can safely drive it.)

You are in the right "ballpark", in terms of the values . . . probably at least $4,000 for the watch and another $1,000 for the box. But this model is fairly rare, so we don't see a deep, liquid market in them. Perhaps the value is closer to $3,000, as it is long overdue for a full / expensive servicing.)

Must run now . . . thanks for your posting and congratulations on the watch and the wife!!

Jeff

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

: My father gave me a Heuer Carrera as a wedding gift and I wanted to
: find out a bit more information about it and how to take care of
: it. My father has not worn it in 30 years but after winding it
: appears to keep correct time. I have googled some information
: and done preliminary research, but I want to get some advice on
: my next steps. I have never owned a watch over $100 and this is
: all new to me.

: Known
: - 1971/1972 Heuer Carrera (was a wedding gift to my father in March
: 1972, could have been purchased earlier)
: - Purchased in Toronto, Ontario Canada
: - No paperwork
: - Band/strap no original
: - Original box
: - Last worn ~ 1986

: Questions
: - For insurance purposes, what is a rough value? I have seen that
: the box in reasonable condition can bring ~$1000 but actual
: watch value for a quick google is anywhere from $5000.
: - I have investigated TAG Heuer's factory restoration but I am
: hesitant because I want it ready to wear by March 2018 for my
: wedding and I don't think it needs a total restoration. Pictures
: are included but the watch just needs a good cleaning and the
: crystal has some minor scuffing. Is the cleaning something that
: I can reasonably do at home? Should it be sent away to TAG? Can
: a local jeweler do a decent job w/o destroying the value of the
: watch?
: - Is there a recommended place I can get a period-correct genuine
: strap? I have been looking on eBay but it's crowded with low
: priced reproductions and what appears to be higher priced
: "genuine" straps for modern TAG's. I would like to
: find a racing-style brown leather strap with the period correct
: Heuer closure.
: - Can the box be restored? If so, where and will it be worthwhile?

: I appreciate any advice provided, I would like to care for this
: watch correctly and ensure it lasts a long while.

:
:
:
:
: