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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Diver's watch

Heuer Monnin Mk1 Reference 844

Partially verified

The Heuer Monnin reference 844 is an automatic diver's watch, identified as the first dive watch produced by Heuer. According to the source, Heuer outsourced the production of this model to the French company Georges Monnin. The watch is presented in a 42mm steel case featuring prominent crown guards and beveled sides. The dial is a Mk1 variant, featuring luminous hour indices and inner red 24-hour Arabic numerals. It is equipped with cathedral-style hands and a date window at the 3 o'clock position. The timepiece houses an automatic movement, specifically an FE 4611A, which the source describes as being signed by "G. Monnin." This watch, bearing serial number 12xxx, is dated by the auction description to the late 1970s. The piece has been serviced by the vendor and is supplied with a leather strap and watch pouch.

Front view of the Heuer Monnin 844 wristwatch showing the Mk1 dial, cathedral hands, and black rotating bezel on a black NATO-style strap.
Front view of the Heuer Monnin 844 wristwatch showing the Mk1 dial, cathedral hands, and black rotating bezel on a black NATO-style strap. — Bulang & Sons. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bulangandsons.com
Category
Wristwatch · Diver's watch
Maker / attribution
Heuer
Reference
844
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
late 1970s
Source-reported place
France
Source-reported serial
12xxx

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Design

The Heuer Monnin 844 is constructed with a 42mm steel case, characterized by prominent crown guards and beveled edges along the sides. The design incorporates a unidirectional-style rotating bezel with a black insert. The overall aesthetic is influenced by military watch design, most notably through the inclusion of red 24-hour Arabic numerals positioned on the inner circumference of the dial, placed inside the luminous hour plots.

The dial is specified as a Mk1 version, which is distinguished by the use of cathedral hands, a detail cited to differentiate it from the subsequent Mk2 version, which featured Mercedes-style hands. The watch is rated to a depth of 200 meters, as printed on the dial alongside the brand name and the word "professional".

Evidence for this section
  • “The 42mm steel is really very cool, with huge crown guards and a super nice big bevel on sides.”
  • “The Mk1 dial is flawless, as are the correct Mk1 cathedral hands (Mk2 dials were different and had Mercedes hands fitted).”
  • “The watch has a military look due to the red 24-hour Arabic numerals on the inner side of the hour plots.”

Movement and Identification

The watch is powered by an automatic movement identified as the FE 4611A. According to the vendor, this movement is signed by G. Monnin. The partnership between Heuer and the French company Georges Monnin marks this reference as the initial entry for Heuer into the dive watch market segment.

The serial number 12xxx is used to date the object to the late 1970s. The movement has undergone a full service by the vendor's watchmaker. The dial includes a date function with the current date displayed through a window at the 3 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “FE 4611A “G. Monnin” signed automatic movement”
  • “The 844 was the very first dive watch to come from Heuer.”
  • “Serial 12xxx dates to late 1970s”

Condition and Components

The auction description reports that the watch is in a condition described as flawless. The dial and the hands are identified as original Mk1 components. While the watch is presented with a black bezel insert, the vendor indicates that this component might be a later replacement, rather than an original factory-fitted part from the late 1970s production run.

The watch is offered with a Bulang and Sons leather strap and a handmade leather watch pouch.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Mk1 dial is flawless, as are the correct Mk1 cathedral hands”
  • “We believe the insert may be slightly later.”
  • “All told though, this truly is a stunning condition watch !”

Open research questions

  • What specific production volumes exist for the 844 reference featuring the FE 4611A movement?
  • Can the bezel insert be verified as an authentic Heuer service part from a specific time period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Heuer Monnin Mk1 Reference 844
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference844“Reference 844”
Serial Number12xxx“Serial 12xxx”
MovementFE 4611A“FE 4611A “G. Monnin” signed automatic movement”
Case Diameter42mm“42mm steel case”
Dial typeMk1“The Mk1 dial is flawless”
AttributionGeorges Monnin“decided to outsource the production of its dive watches to French company Georges Monnin”
Service historyFully serviced“fully serviced by our watchmaker”

Visible details

  • Red 24-hour markers on the inner dial
  • Cathedral-style hour and minute hands
  • Large protective crown guards
  • Date aperture at the 3 o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • The source believes the bezel insert might be slightly later than the original
  • The exact production period is provided as a dating estimate based on the serial number

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی غواصی Heuer Monnin Mk1 رفرنس 844

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record c8ce7dc87d

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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