Hello! I only have a small collection of two Seiko watches, which were inspired by my father, who has been collecting them throughout his life. Recently, while on vacation, I found what I am hoping is an authentic Tag Heuer at an antique shop in Tennessee for only 20 dollars lol. I would like to know more about this model, as it has been difficult to find concrete information online. The dial does not include the "1000" that I have seen on other watches with the same reference number, which raises some concerns. Additionally, there is no etching on the inside of the inner bracelet near the underside of the dial. I would love to restore this watch and use it as a daily timepiece, assuming it is authentic. What I really want to know is some concrete information about this watch, or perhaps a story about it, since it is the third piece in my collection, and I love to know everything about what I own, down to the last detail. Thank you, and I'm excited to have found this piece!
Seems authentic. The condition of the black pvd coating isn't too bad either. A bargain find at $20 bucks! While the "1000" text is more common, I've also seen these without that text. Heuer & TAG Heuer made several subtle changes to the dial text over the years. The 1000 dive watch series ran from the early '80s until around '92. So you'll find pre-'86 with Heuer branding and later models with TAG Heuer branding. Some have the 1000 text, others don't. A little more info here: http://www.onthedash.com/tag-heuer-dive-watches-oldest-and-newest/ https://www.tagheuer.com/us/en/vintage-collection/tag-heuer-1000-series.html Regarding restoration, I've used and can recommend: https://www.tag1000diver.com/
Thank you for the validation on Justin! I've been messaging him back and forth and I'll be sending this off to clean and lightly restore while maintaining as much as the original watch as I can. Thank you for the articles as well I really appreciate it.
Does anyone know what the date inside the case back is? I'm of course assuming it's the last time it was opened/serviced but another friend said it could have been a warranty date?
As it's hand written, could mean anything. A service date, a battery change date, someone's birthday (j/k), who knows? My 1000 has no such writing on it. I doubt it's the warranty date. They probably had some kind of warranty card/paper back then. Or something more official than simply hand writing it on the inside of the case back.
It would normally be a mark made by the watchmaker who serviced it, nothing to do with TH themselves. All looks good from what I can see and agree with the comments made above. Steve
Great find! Its gonna run for another 30 years, easily. Find some new Eta 955 movement at around $50, give it a new life!