Heuer and Tag Heuer 1000 Restoration Parts and Service

[Jkbenn02]

Here my latest project build. Still hunting for the rest of the parts. Heuer 2000 quarts chrono. All NOS up until this point. Rare soccer timer dial which isn't correct for the case (should be a black dial but beggars can't be choosers).

 

[Calibre11]

Looks good Justin

BTW, I'm not sure whether you have linked to your website- feel free to create a post on the homepage, but for those who want to see more of Justin's work, head here- http://www.tag1000diver.com

 

[BDuffel]

Just a note on a recent rework by Justin. My 31 year old Heuer 984.013 L needed a little refreshing. The lume had fallen out of the hour hand and the calendar was jammed up. Watch had never stopped keeping perfect time. Sent it in for a fix, sapphire crystal replacement and general service/cleanup. I am very happy with the price, communication, attention to detail and result. I bought this watch in 1986 because I was sick of breaking watches (bit of a Neanderthal). It is one tough SOB. I've replaced the crown twice, the face once, the crystal at least once or twice, the band about three times and only had it serviced 2-3 times in 30+ years. In spite of all this the damned thing kept time to a second every few months for 31 years. Justin does good work. It has lost 13 seconds in the last week or so but I imagine that is just break in jitters and will smooth out. Picture of the old dog:


When I bought this watch in March of 86 it was a Heuer. Dial, case back, crown and all. I'm like the farmer that has had the same axe for 40 years. It's had 5 handles and three heads but it's the same axe by gosh.

If I have any regret it is that I didn't get him to go ahead and replace the bezel insert and have the entire face re-lumed while it was in the shop. At the time I didn't realize his lume repair only included the hands and pip on the bezel. It has a good amount of cuff wear to the gold plating on the bezel and the little bit of wear and tear on the insert isn't bad. It's been diving in salt and fresh water and generally lived a very hard life. I plan on wearing this watch til I die then passing it on so hopefully it will run another 30 or so years.

Well I also regret it doesn't still have the Heuer face and crown.

Edited: Jul 20, 2017

 

[Calibre11]

B BDuffel

Just a note on a recent rework by Justin. My 31 year old Heuer 984.013 L needed a little refreshing. The lume had fallen out of the hour hand and the calendar was jammed up. Watch had never stopped keeping perfect time. Sent it in for a fix, sapphire crystal replacement and general service/cleanup. I am very happy with the price, communication, attention to detail and result. I bought this watch in 1986 because I was sick of breaking watches (bit of a Neanderthal). It is one tough SOB. I've replaced the crown twice, the face once, the crystal at least once or twice, the band about three times and only had it serviced 2-3 times in 30+ years. In spite of all this the damned thing kept time to a second every few months for 31 years. Justin does good work. It has lost 13 seconds in the last week or so but I imagine that is just break in jitters and will smooth out. Picture of the old dog:


When I bought this watch in March of 86 it was a Heuer. Dial, case back, crown and all. I'm like the farmer that has had the same axe for 40 years. It's had 5 handles and three heads but it's the same axe by gosh.

If I have any regret it is that I didn't get him to go ahead and replace the bezel insert and have the entire face re-lumed while it was in the shop. At the time I didn't realize his lume repair only included the hands and pip on the bezel. It has a good amount of cuff wear to the gold plating on the bezel and the little bit of wear and tear on the insert isn't bad. It's been diving in salt and fresh water and generally lived a very hard life. I plan on wearing this watch til I die then passing it on so hopefully it will run another 30 or so years.

Well I also regret it doesn't still have the Heuer face and crown.

Love it!

 

[Jkbenn02]

Thanks Bill for your trust! It was a pleasure to "refresh" this old dog!

 

[jbjames]

Justin ,

Thanks again for the great buying experience, we made the deal Saturday afternoon, he got it to me Monday from Kentucky to San Diego.
Couldn't be happier.

Jason.

 

[jbjames]

J jbjames

Justin ,

Thanks again for the great buying experience, we made the deal Saturday afternoon, he got it to me Monday from Kentucky to San Diego.
Couldn't be happier.

Jason.

 

[Jkbenn02]

Thanks for the feedback Jason! Enjoy it!

 

[Jkbenn02]

New custom project in the works for my Aussie friend:

Started out as a 980.033 but will ultimately be exposed brass (though polished and brushed per the original style) and a gold bezel with black dial and insert.

Progress thus far:

 

[Calibre11]

J Jkbenn02

New custom project in the works for my Aussie friend:

Started out as a 980.033 but will ultimately be exposed brass (though polished and brushed per the original style) and a gold bezel with black dial and insert.

Progress thus far:

Look forward to seeing how this one turns out!

 

[Jkbenn02]

Yes, it should be pretty nice when complete. I've been meaning to update my thread but customers come before thread updates!

 

[Jkbenn02]

980.013 service: I just love bringing these back to life! A client in Ireland sent me his watch for a mild restoration. This was a gift from his father 30 years ago and has been in a drawer for the past 20 years due to a missing bezel, damaged crown, and bad movement.

There is a lot of sentimental value with this piece and I am so glad it was not butchered by someone without the knowledge, parts, and experience with these models (I’ve seen too many examples of this ).

The client first mailed the watch to Tag Heuer and got the usual runaround .....”we can’t repair your watch but we can offer a discount on a new Tag Heuer blah blah blah” . To the forums he went and came across my thread. Off the watch went to the USA and the now it is being sent back in fully functional condition (converted to the newer 955.112 movement, screwdown crown and tube replacement, bezel, custom bezel springs, sapphire crystal, all new gaskets, pressure tested) and ready to get back out there and have some fun!

Thanks again to the client and to the fellow forum members for allowing me to repair their cherished 1000/1500/2000/etc. models.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

Justin
www.TAG1000Diver.com
Jkbenn02@yahoo.com

 

[Jkbenn02]

A couple rarer references in the shop for service!

One is one of the most rare PVD examples. It is a 989.113 (full lume dial and pewter PVD case) and is in remarkable condition.

The other is an excellently preserved 980.032L.

Both received a full disassembly, ultrasonic bath, all new gaskets, sapphire crystal, pressure test, and of course a new battery.

Here they are:

 

[Jkbenn02]

Brass case custom Heuer 980.033 is almost ready....

This required the chrome removal, case modifications/drilling to accommodate the ratcheting bezel from the non-economy models, and new screwdown crown and tube as well.

Once the hands are fitted she will be ready for final assembly and testing.

 

[Jkbenn02]

Heuer 980.006 restoration and oyster bracelet with Tag Heuer clasp.

Here is a finished full restoration on a good customer’s 980.006:

This features a solid link oyster with a genuine Tag Heuer flip-lock clasp installed. This required some modification but it always turns out well and makes for quite a substantial watch since it is a solid link bracelet.

 

[huberthangover]

J Jkbenn02

I have only seen one person get something reposted and it was in DLC. It's was Stewart's Autavia and it was about $1000. This work was done by Jack at IWW if I recall correctly.

I've written to Jack on a few occasions about coatings and he didn't seem interested in doing the 1000s. I can only assume that at the pr Due point he charges it really isn't worth the expense. $1000 coating on a $500-1000 watch...it would be hard to find a buyer for that service.

SteveP was working with a British company to see about the possibilities of watch coatings but I believe that was also prohibitively expensive as well.

Most potential customers are starting with a higher end watch such as a Rolex or Panerai and at that point it makes sense.

I've had a couple watches Cerakoted (ceramic coated) by Motor City Watchworks in Detroit. That is a spray on and bake coating but bracelets aren't something they do because (I'm assuming) that soraying the entirety of a bracelet just doesn't work with this process. It's not full immersion like a vapor deposited coating such as PVD or DLC.

That's what makes finding an excellent example of a Pvd Heuer so special. They just didn't have a durable coating process back in the early 80's that could stand the test of time and rigors of daily wrist use. When they pop up they command stiff prices and once wear is present the prices essentially fall off a cliff. For example 980.026s in mint condition sell for ~$1k or more with the full kit but if it has some wear you can halve the price.

Good hunting out their folks. They do exist.

Hello, maybe Schifferle & Schifferle, Orfina.ch could do the PVD restoring job. They usually take in the porsche Orfina Chronographs for an overhaul and restore the PVD coating. Best regards

 

[0-60]

Here is mine. Sent you a private message OP.

 

[Will__Spencer]

Been wanting to get into this club for some time and had to play the waiting game to get a good case at a good price. Now get to add my 980.029 Heuer (I believe circa 1982, JKbenn please correct me if not) to my 2018 Heuer UAE Autavia. Just wish I could find a 18mm Rubber strap with curved ends which aren't £200 or £5

 

[0-60]

Will__Spencer

Been wanting to get into this club for some time and had to play the waiting game to get a good case at a good price. Now get to add my 980.029 Heuer (I believe circa 1982, JKbenn please correct me if not) to my 2018 Heuer UAE Autavia. Just wish I could find a 18mm Rubber strap with curved ends which aren't £200 or £5

very nice

 

[Jim Dollares]

Congrats!! Been a while since I saw that Autavia, dang it is sexy!