Hi all, I have got a vintage Heuer 980.033, see photos in attachment. The bezel was not rotating at all, I removed it using a knife/case opener and it looks like it was glued :/ My questions are: Is the bezel supposed to turn on this model? Do you think the bezel is original? I don't see any click spring, is there supposed to be one between the case and the bezel? If yes, I don't really see where the bezel spring needs to go, there is no real notch on the side (see photo). And I am curious where the "click sound" of the bezel would come from if there are no notch anywhere in the bezel. Thank you
Yes that all looks present and correct-yes it should turn but no, it is not designed to click. The .033 is essentially an economy version of the .013, which does click. Good to see some chrome on this too, they wear quite easily! Best, Steve
Thank you so much Steve. I cleaned everything. I can hear one "click" when I put the bezel it in place but it is too easy to remove it. Do you have a solution to keep the spring in the groove/notch? It is like the groove is not deep enough so the spring is not constraint enough.
I would say it sounds like the spring isn't seated correctly once attached, or maybe the spring could do with replacing. Have a chat with Justin in the first instance- Tag Heuer Watches - 1000 Parts, Service, & Restoration - Louisville KY (tag1000diver.com) He's got plenty of experience with these. Let us know how you get on too. Steve
Hopefully this will show the details enough. The TAG 1000 one-way bezel is is controlled by a secondary, shaped spring with a 90 degree twist on the end that slots into a small hole drilled into the body of the watch. See the circled areas on the attached diagram, and the 'click' is created by the end of the spring (see the other end of the spring from the circled end) stepping from tooth to tooth on the underside of the bezel. Actually - thinking about it - this is the 'Jumbo' 844/5, (42mm diameter ) so the smaller 38mm watches (the 'regular' 1000 series) might be slightly different? My 029 bodied 043 has the small hole in the body, but a replacement bezel without the machined out teeth. I've got a spring for it, just looking out for an original bezel (found plenty of hen's teeth..... )