844 first Heuer purchase help please

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 22, 2017

Hello all, Ive decided id like to buy myself a Heuer 844 automatic for my birthday this year. I would greatly appreciate some advice regarding the 844-1/2/3/4/5 variants and how to value them. I would most prefer an 844-1 but my budget of 1500usd or less and their rarity is proving challenging. I plan for this watch to be a keeper but would still like to know, how does the 844-1 Heuer dial model value against a 844-5 with the Tag Heuer dial, and is the Tag logo really the only difference? Id prefer a Heuer dial but should i focus on condition above all else or will the pre-Tag dial do the watch more justice value wise as time goes on?

Also, i cant seem to find out what ref number or name to associate with the president style bracelet ive included a photo of. Almost all i see for sale are on a jubilee or oyster and id love to get the president style bracelet for whichever Heuer i get but i dont know how to hunt for it without more labeling info on it.

I appreciate any advice 😀

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 22, 2017

Also, do i have to worry about knock off 844's or were they not ever faked?
Ive narrowed down on a Tag Heuer 844/3 that looks nearly new and comes on a jubilee bracelet. Would $1,000-1500 be about right or too much for said watch?

Gambba · Nov 22, 2017

The 844 is a great watch! I have an early French made orange dial 844 and an 844/3, both of which are Heuer branded.

I determined at the start I wanted the Heuer brand of any of the 80’s models that transitioned into the Tag Heuer period.

So many factors play a part of the value of any watch and that’s no different than the 844. Original bracelet, stretch in bracelet, papers, box, bezel condition, original crown etc etc.

No significant changes between the models, just small elements here and there. The French made 844’s get, as you’ve seen, significant premiums, because they are limited in number and a little different and where Heuer’s divers started.

I’d not worry about knock offs of the 844 as it’s not a high value piece overall and it’s current value came in recent years, so a limited market. You can find wrong bezels, unsigned casebacks or casebacks with the wrong model number etc. on 844’s, so that’s normally all I’d worry about.

$1000-1500 is maybe below market value if it looks new like you say, and has its bracelet. I have certainly seen them advertised above that range.

Here’s my own 844/3;

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 22, 2017

Thank you for the feedback and the lovely photo of your Heuer. One like yours is what i set out after, a 1-3, but the Tag dialed 844s seem to be more available
So as far as collectibility, the pre-Tag 844's may be preferable or does it just come down to personal taste as far as the branding goes? Maybe a Tag forum isnt the most unbiased place to ask, but ive gotten the impression that Heuer watches command a bit more respect from collectors than the same model with the Tag logo but maybe ive misinterpreted

Gambba · Nov 22, 2017

You’ve misinterpreted nothing. Even Heuer branded watches manufactured under Tag Heuer in the last 10 years get a premium from what I’ve seen.

Heuer is intrinsically linked to Motorsports especially in the 60/70/80’s so for collectors like me that is important and plays a part in the love of the brand. For many when the brand became Tag Heuer in 1985 they lost their way a little, and whilst had some great watches, many clased them as only a fashion brand, fairly or not.

There are some collectors who collect Tag Heuer and simply think it’s a matter of what you feel towards either brand and time period. Have a read around and make your own decision I’d say.

Take a look at Steve McQueen’s coveralls in Le Mans and the Monaco on his wrist.....and tell me the Heuer brand is not cool.

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 22, 2017

Gambba, thank you for clearing that up. I had come to essentially the same conclusion when learning about Heuer but wasnt sure if i was just being overly pedantic. I made an offer of 1000 for a mint looking 844-3 Tag dialed Heuer as i think it would be a real deal for its condition but if that one doesnt work out ill focus on the earlier 844's just labeled Heuer

Any idea what Heuer calls the bracelet in the photo above or possibly an item number they use for it?

And yes the Heuer logo on the racing stuffs is too cool haha

SteveP · Nov 22, 2017

Hi OTC-Gambba has given some good info there so hopefully will help in your search. Regarding the bracelet, I believe it is not original but likely to be from a 2000 diver model instead. Typically it would be a Jubilee bracelet (but they are becomingly increasingly hard to get=which equals greater expense too) but if you get lucky, an original oyster bracelet which is very rare. There are quite a few lesser quality oysters pared with 844s so beware! Finally, I'd add that the 'standard' 844 case was used in a lot of other brands also, and while there are no/few outright FAKES out there it is relatively easy for a seller to find a lesser-known brand, drop a Heuer dial in there and find some generic hands.
You're welcome to post any pics here (or to me/others directly) to take a look over before you commit.
Best,
Steve

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 22, 2017

These are the two im most considering at the moment. The heuer is listed for 1000 and bit rough, the Tag is listed at 1500 and I offered 1000. As far as investment purposes are considered, at the same price, with the Tag one being in a good bit better shape, would you still suggest getting the Heuer and fixing it up a bit over the nicer Tag ?

SteveP · Nov 22, 2017

ps I may be able to find one of those 2000 bracelets if that's what you're really seeking! S

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 22, 2017

Thanks SteveP! That would be fantastic

Gambba · Nov 22, 2017

You’ve obviously put some thought into the watch you want and it’s for an occasion which suggests it will be with you a while.

The Heuer doesn’t look bad overall, but it has more wear on the bezel it seems, the second hand lume appears a lot older than the other two and the bracelet has a lot of stretch.

The Tag version looks a lot cleaner and if the brand is not an issue then clearly it’s the winner. As for investment......never look at them from that perspective, as who knows what will be desirable next year.

The same jumbo size 42mm comes in other colours as well, so always worth looking out for them too.

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 22, 2017

Thanks for talking some sense at me Gambba, thats what i was thinking too. Im a little weary of that particular Heuer due to the second hand, i got an Omega Seamaster cosmic last year that wasnt original and it turned into a nightmare. I do prefer the Heuer dials but i suppose i should let condition take priority as i really dont want another project. Thanks for the advice guys 😁

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 23, 2017

Pulled the trigger on this, ended up paying $1,500. Did I do alright? Its said to be all original and well serviced, he told me he bought it from Abel Court 3 or 4 years ago. Either way im quite excited 😁

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 23, 2017

Daylight photo of it as well

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 23, 2017

Also, rookie question, its auction was labeled as an 844/3 but it has the Tag dial so is it not really an 844/5 or did some 3's have the tag dials?
Anyone know what year mine is from? Im guessing 84 or 85

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 23, 2017

I can see more clearly now on the caseback it does say 844/3. Thoughts?

SteveP · Nov 24, 2017

Well it's a great watch-congratulations! No worries on the TH dial-the 844-3 was produced with both Heuer and TH dials. Price? Tough to say-I'm sure you could have got a cheaper one but not in that condition nor with the reassurance of a service and the 'hands' it has been through. I would think anyone buying from Abel is a true collector and legit seller, probably known within the circles too. ;-) Well done-you'll enjoy that! I always like to see the T-Swiss Made-T dial on a TH-it gives it a sense of history, to me anyway. 😀
Best,
Steve

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 24, 2017

Thanks Steve! I agree about the T swiss, and im very curious to see how the lume glows. Oh and it may have to wait until after the holidays but i am interested in a president style bracelet for it

OnlyTheClassics · Nov 27, 2017

Is there any way to tell exactly what year my 844/3 is from?

Gambba · Nov 28, 2017

O OnlyTheClassics
Is there any way to tell exactly what year my 844/3 is from?

Afraid not. Only a receipt from the original purchase would give you when it was bought and still not when it was made.

The only way is generally to see where your watch fits in the time line and I would guess probably about 1986.