Some watches just look awful, but they can hide a real gem under all the scratches and dirt. This is a watch like that.
This Heuer 980.006 came to me as a basket case, with a very scratched crystal, a stuck bezel and a non running movement.
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| As it looked on arrival. |
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The watch had a lot of scars after several years with professional use.
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This watch was no safequeen. It has been used by a proffesional diver for many years and it does really show. This was a tool watch that had seen it all.
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| The crystal was the worst I ever have seen on a vintage Heuer diver. |
The owner got this watch from his diving instructor father and wanted me to give it some TLC. I love to give these old Heuer diver watches a second chance in life and accepted the challenge.
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| A full strip down revealed a lot of dirt under the bezel. No wonder it was stuck. |
The bezel was not possible to turn. I was very stuck. I had to remove it and underneath it was a lot of dirt. No wonder it would not turn. A good clean of all parts and the bezel did turn and click as new again.
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| A lot of goo and grit under the bezel. |
Fortunately was the dial and hands in perfect condition under the scratched crystal. No need for any work there.
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| Perfect condition. |
The movement is a correct ESA 536.121 and did not run. It did run for a little when I installed a new battery, but stopped after a short while. The reason was most likely dry oil. And a little fresh oil did do the trick. The movement was soon ticking again.
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| A new bezel insert was installed. It really transformed the watch. |
The installation of a new bezel insert was a real pain. I had to make several small adjustments to make it fit. In the end I managed to get it in place.
A new crystal and gasket was no problem and a easy fit. The watch was ready for service for it's new owner.
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| Voila, what a transformance. |
I'm very happy with the result. This watch was really not good looking upon arrival. Thanks to Anders M. H. Versland who let me work on his fathers old diver.
