There is no doubt that diving watches hold a special place in the hearts of many collectors, ourselves included. In fact, Analog:Shift was founded over ten years ago with its eyes set squarely on vintage divers.

With their simple designs and robust movements, the tool watches of the 1960s and 1970s were built to accompany the adventurer across the globe and to keep time at its great heights as well as its darkest depths. Yet for every Rolex Submariner, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, or Omega Seamaster, there were scores of other lesser-known names that ooze charm and merit consideration from the vintage watch enthusiast.

What you don't expect to see, is a dive watch from Heuer — arguably the biggest name in wrist chronographs in the 60s and 70s. At this time, Heuer was looking to capitalize on the demand for dive watches, but having no experience in the dive watch segment, Heuer initially outsourced their cases and movements. Leaning on design cues from existing divers of the era, Heuer introduced a few features that were not yet common.

This watch, a Reference 844-1, was amongst the very first Heuer dive watches introduced in 1979. Featuring a contracted 42mm 'Monnin' case equipped with a rotating dive bezel and an unsigned crown nestled between a set of crown guards, this piece houses a matte black tritium dial with evenly patinated markers and a ‘cathedral’ handset with an even richer patinated tone, a date indicator at 3 o'clock, as well as the  "Professionel" text denoting its French-made origin.

Outfitted on a black Tropical-style rubber strap with a matching stainless steel pin buckle, this piece is what vintage diver dreams are made of!