Heuer Professional Diver "Monnin Case" (Ref. 844) Mk I, 1970s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

By the 1970s, the Heuer brand had already amassed a rich pedigree as a watchmaker, though most of this success came from their innovations within the chronograph sector of watchmaking. And while these incredible watches, such as the Carrera and Autavia, were technically "water resistant", Heuer's first delve into the professional dive watch market wasn't until the ref. 844, known most notably for its French designer Gerald Monnin. Uncharacteristically for Heuer, the ref. 844 was an immediate commercial success. This sudden demand spawned rapid changes within the reference; these variations or "Marks" all carry distinct characteristics that set them apart from one another, with varying levels of value and collectibility attached. However, the very first version of the ref. 844, the Mark I, remains extremely collectible today. The ref. 844 Mk I, along with the Mk II, were made entirely in France before production was moved to Switzerland for the later variants. The Mk I most notably employs ornate, cathedral-style hands with a dial featuring a military-inspired red 24hr scale and text that reads "METRES" and "PROFESSIONEL" instead of the "Meters" and "Professional" seen on the later models. SPECS Stock # HURPRDV8441-2 Brand Heuer Style Professional Diver Model 844 "Mk. I" Serial 97XX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 42 Strap Black & Grey Nylon NATO Strap CASE & BRACELET The French-Made case is in impressive, honestly-worn condition, showing no notable evidence of prior polishing, with the original factory chamfers and geometry still fully intact. The original uni-directional bezel remains deep black in color, though it does exhibit consistent light wear throughout. The unsigned screw-down crown is original and correct for this watch. The case back retains all of its original factory markings in crisp condition. The watch comes supplied on a black and grey nylon NATO strap. DIAL & HANDS The original matte black Mk I dial is truly incredible and remains in virtually flawless condition, showing no damage or age. The tritium lume plots have achieved a beautiful creamy patina with no notable degradation present under U.V. light inspection. The original cathedral-style tritium hands match the dial perfectly with no degradation present under UV light. ACCESSORIES