Lawyer John F. Kennedy Jr. spotted wearing a TAG Heuer

In a 1983 photograph, John F. Kennedy Jr. is captured wearing a TAG Heuer Professional Diver Ref. 980.024, a pioneering dual-time sports watch that defined TAG Heuer's commitment to hybrid quartz-mechanical innovation during the early 1980s. The 39mm stainless steel case houses a dial layout combining traditional analogue hour and minute hands with a digital window displaying a second time zone—a design philosophy that anticipated modern smartwatch ergonomics by decades.

The Ref. 980.024 features TAG Heuer's signature unidirectional rotating bezel with 60-minute diving scale, essential for underwater timing and emergency procedures. The dial presents luminous applied indices and hands for low-light visibility, paired with a date window positioned at 3 o'clock. Movement specifications reveal a quartz calibre paired with mechanical complications, typical of TAG Heuer's Professional line aimed at military, diving, and aviation sectors. Water resistance reaches 300 meters—a genuine diving capability rather than splash protection. The integrated stainless steel bracelet with solid end links ensures durability in demanding environments, while the case finishing balances brushed surfaces with polished bevels characteristic of 1980s sports watch aesthetics.

The Professional Diver Ref. 980.024 holds particular significance among collectors as an early example of TAG Heuer's dual-display technology, predating the widespread adoption of analogue-digital hybrids in luxury sports watches. Production years span the early-to-mid 1980s, placing this reference within a narrow window of horological experimentation. Variants include dial colour options and bezel insert materials, though the black dial configuration remains most documented and sought after.

Kennedy Jr.'s choice reflects the Professional Diver's reputation among elite professionals requiring reliable GMT and diving functionality. The pairing underscores how technical sports watches transcended their original professional mandate to become status symbols among accomplished individuals. The TAG Heuer Professional Diver represented cutting-edge timekeeping for its era—a departure from pure mechanical diving watches toward intelligent, multi-zone capability.

Current grey-market pricing for Ref. 980.024 in good condition ranges from $700 to $1,200 USD, reflecting modest collector demand relative to contemporary Submariner or Sea-Dweller equivalents. Original examples with complete packaging command premiums, though this reference remains accessible compared to vintage TAG Heuer Monacos or Carreras from the same decade. Dial condition and bezel insert integrity significantly impact valuation.