THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: TAG HEUER
MODEL: 180.023
YEAR: c1986
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 41mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

Originally founded in 1946 by Émile Gagnan and Jacques-Yves Cousteau, La Spirotechnique is a French diving equipment manufacturer renowned for its groundbreaking innovations in scuba diving. In addition to their range of masks, fins, and regulators, Spirotechnique also collaborated with legendary watchmakers such as Auriscoste, Triton, Squale, and Doxa to release a series of co-branded dive watches. These watches have gained a cult following among collectors thanks to their distinctive designs and rarity.

The present example was a collaboration between Tag Heuer and Spirotechnique. The history of this model is somewhat enigmatic, due in part to Heuer's poor record-keeping during the turbulent period of its acquisition by Tag. What is known, however, is that the watch was produced between approximately 1985 and 1990 and was sold exclusively through Spirotechnique’s diving shops. Notably absent from Tag Heuer’s catalogues, these watches are exceedingly rare.

This example has had a relatively easy life. The matte black dial remains flawless, with the tritium lume on the markers and hands aged to an appealing light creamy hue, perfectly matching the pip on the bezel insert. The case is in excellent condition, showcasing sharp bevels and edges, while the original Tag Heuer bracelet with a diver extension is similarly well-maintained.

The watch has recently been serviced and is running flawlessly at +3 s/d, 297 amps, with a 0.1 ms beat error. A super cool neo-vintage watch that won't break the bank.