TAG Heuer Professional 962.013 R (1994)

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This TAG Heuer Professional is a quintessential example of neo-vintage sports watch design, embodying the rugged reliability and distinctive aesthetic that defined the brand's dive watches in the 1990s. Built as a true tool watch, this piece combines a highly legible matte black dial with a robust stainless steel case featuring the signature rider-tab bezel. It represents a pivotal era in TAG Heuer’s history, offering collectors a durable, stylish, and highly wearable piece of the brand’s modern heritage, perfectly sized for everyday versatility. Brand: TAG Heuer Model: Professional Reference Number: 962.013 R Serial Number: B46705 Movement: TAG Heuer Caliber 2.92 Quartz Dial: Matte black, exceptionally clean with creamy tritium patina Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1994 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and a pristine dial Dial and Hands The matte black dial is in stunningly preserved condition, exhibiting a smooth, flawless surface completely free of moisture marks, spotting, or discoloration. The dial features crisp, white sans-serif typography for the "professional 200 METERS" text, complemented by the vibrant applied green and red TAG Heuer shield below twelve o'clock. The tritium luminous material, indicated by the "T SWISS MADE T" signature at the bottom edge, has aged uniformly across the round, baton, and triangular indices to a highly attractive, creamy off-white tone. The classic Mercedes-style hour hand, sword minute hand, and luminous lollipop seconds hand match the dial indices perfectly in their patina. A cleanly executed date aperture at three o'clock features a white printed border, completing this highly legible and beautifully aged display. Case and Crystal The 36mm stainless steel case features a predominantly brushed finish that underscores its utilitarian purpose. The unidirectional rotating bezel is a standout feature, equipped with prominent rider tabs at the ten-minute intervals, engraved numerals, and a luminous pip at the sixty-minute mark. The case retains its rugged original profile, with robust crown guards protecting the TAG Heuer signed screw-down crown. A flat sapphire crystal, as proudly noted on the caseback, protects the dial and remains clean and clear. The watch shows honest, age-consistent signs of wear, including surface scratches and handling marks on the bezel edges, case flanks, and lugs, which are entirely expected for a genuine vintage tool watch. The screw-down caseback features crisp, deep engravings of the TAG Heuer shield, reference number, and serial number, alongside its technical specifications. Movement Powering this timepiece is the TAG Heuer Caliber 2.92 quartz movement, clearly visible in the provided images with its distinctive blue circuit board and gold-toned plates. Marked with "SEVEN 7 JEWELS V8" and "SWISS", this ETA-based quartz caliber is a hallmark of reliable 1990s Swiss watchmaking. The movement compartment appears clean and well-maintained, currently fitted with a Murata SR920SW battery. Strap The watch is fitted with its original stainless steel multi-link bracelet, a signature design element of the TAG Heuer Professional series. The original status is confirmed by the clearly visible "301/31" stampings on the solid endlinks. The bracelet secures to the wrist via a folding clasp prominently signed with the embossed TAG Heuer shield. The bracelet and clasp exhibit moderate desk-diving scratches and scuffs consistent with the honest wear found on the case, presenting a unified and authentic vintage appearance. It is sized to accommodate a 17.5cm wrist. Condition This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. The dial and hands are exceptionally well-preserved, standing out as near-mint with highly attractive tritium patina. The stainless steel case, bezel, and bracelet display normal, honest vintage wear, consisting of surface scratches and minor scuffs that do not detract from the watch's rugged charm. Dimensions The case measures 36 mm in diameter, excluding the crown guards and signed crown. Remarks With its classic proportions, reliable quartz caliber, and unmistakable 90s dive watch styling, this TAG Heuer Professional is a superb choice for both seasoned collectors and those looking for a robust entry into vintage Swiss timepieces. The immaculate dial condition paired with the honest exterior wear creates a watch that is ready to be worn and enjoyed daily without hesitation. History Following the acquisition of Heuer by the Techniques d'Avant Garde (TAG) group in 1985, the newly formed TAG Heuer heavily leaned into the sports and dive watch categories. The Professional series, evolving from the earlier Heuer 2000 line, became the cornerstone of the brand's catalog throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. Defined by their "Six Features" design philosophy, which included water resistance to 200 meters, a screw-down crown, a unidirectional bezel, a sapphire crystal, luminous hands, and a double safety clasp, these watches set the standard for accessible, high-quality Swiss sports watches and remain highly celebrated by vintage enthusiasts today. / Second Vintage SKU: TAG-PXX-0003