TAG Heuer Watch Serial Numbers Guide; What Do They Mean


TAG Heuer watches are luxury pieces, and each one has a unique serial number. These numbers can look confusing because they look like a bunch of random numbers and letters. So what exactly do they mean?

TAG Heuer watch serial numbers represent when the watch was made and where it was sold. You can find this number on the case back below the model reference number. The serial number generally has two or three letters followed by four or five numbers and sometimes can be hard to see.

The rest of this article will discuss what TAG Heuer watches mean in greater detail. Be sure to keep reading to learn more about them.

Table of Contents

What Are TAG Heuer Serial Numbers?

TTAG Heuer serial numbers are unique codes on the case back of most TAG Heuer watches. The serial number gives information on the history of the watch. It includes where the watch was sold, and the period it was manufactured. Don’t confuse the serial number with the model reference number.

The model reference number indicates the model of the watch. This number isn’t unique to your watch; any other watch of the same model will have the same model reference number. 

It can be easy to confuse the two because they’re usually in the same format, but the model reference number is always the one at the top. 

Model Reference Numbers on Tag Heuer Watches Have Meanings

Although it’s hard to tell what a serial number indicates, it’s much easier to tell what a model reference number indicates. 

That’s because there’s public information on model reference numbers and how to read them, but there’s no information available regarding how to read TAG Heuer serial numbers.

Generally, model reference numbers are organized like this: ABC1234. Here’s what the letters and numbers mean:

  • The first letter represents the type. This could be W (meaning watch) or C (meaning chronograph).
  • The second and third letters represent the series. There are many letters that can represent the series, including AC (Formula 1), AF (Aquaracer), and AH (Formula 1).
  • The first number represents the movement. For example, 1 means quartz, and 2 means automatic.
  • The second number represents the size. For example, C means king-size Carrera.
  • The third number represents the case type. 4 means rose gold, for example.
  • The final number represents the dial. This number is usually 0.

It’s important to note that TAG Heuer changed its serial and model reference numbers’ formatting in the early 1990s, so some watches may have numbers with different formatting. 

That means if your watch is old, it might not match the formatting mentioned above.

Below is a complete overview of all the current model reference numbers and what they mean.

Fake TAG Heuer Watches May Not Have Numbers

If you’re worried that your TAG Heuer watch is fake, one of the first things you can do is check the serial number on the case back. Many counterfeit watches won’t have a serial number, or if they do, they won’t match the formatting of the real numbers.

As you now know, most TAG serial numbers and model numbers are in the format of ABC1234. If the number on your watch doesn’t match this, it could be fake. However, some older watches have different formatting, so it doesn’t mean for sure that your watch is fake.

Every TAG Heuer watch has two numbers: the serial number and model number. If your watch only has one number, it’s probably fake. However, the numbers can be hard to read sometimes, so you may need to take a closer look to be sure.

Additionally, one number is always atop the other. If your TAG Heuer watch has numbers, but they’re diagonal to each other, for example, there’s a good chance that the watch is fake. 

Although examining the numbers at the back is an excellent way to determine whether a TAG Heuer watch is fake or not, there are other things you can do. 

After examining the serial number, here are some other things you should do if you’re worried your watch might be fake:

  • Check if the watch has sapphire crystal glass. All authentic TAG Heuer watches have sapphire crystal glass. This is high-quality and scratch-resistant, and it is highly long-lasting. If the glass on your watch looks cheap or gets damaged easily, it’s likely fake.
  • Pay attention to the logo. If your Tag Heuer watch’s logo looks crooked or unfinished, the watch is probably fake.
  • Examine the overall quality of the watch. TAG Heuer watches are very high-quality, so it’s not too difficult to tell when one is fake. If it feels light and flimsy or doesn’t work correctly, there’s a good chance it’s fake.
  • Determine where the watch was bought. If you’re worried the watch is fake, you should search the retailer you purchased it from on Google to ensure it’s an authorized TAG Heuer seller. Alternatively, you can contact TAG Heuer and ask for guidance.
  • Use a serial number lookup. You can go to the TAG Heuer serial number checker to see if your watch’s warranty comes up. If there are no results, your watch might be fake.

Although the serial number checker can be helpful, it doesn’t always help. For example, some people will use a legit serial number and place it on counterfeit watches. 

Some counterfeit retailers will use the same legit serial number for all their watches to make them seem more genuine. If this is the case, it can be harder to know whether the watch is fake or not. 

Also, all authentic TAG Heuer watches should come with an information booklet. In the booklet, you will find the serial number. This number should match the serial number on the case back of the watch. 

If it doesn’t match, or if the watch didn’t come with any booklet, there’s a good chance it’s fake.

Use the Serial Number To Find the Date of Manufacture

As you now likely know, all TAG Heuer watches come with a model number and serial number. Although there is information online on how to read model reference numbers, there is no information anywhere on reading and understanding TAG Heuer serial numbers.

There is an official TAG Heuer serial number decoder out there, though, which you can find here. You can fill in your own serial number here and it spits out a bunch of information!

While many other watch brands make it easy to tell the serial numbers, TAG Heuer isn’t as transparent. So if you’re hoping to gain information on how old your watch is by examining the serial number, you likely won’t get any answers.

However, you could try to ring TAG Heuer’s customer service team and give them your watch’s serial number. They might be able to provide you with some background information on the watch based on the serial number you give them, but it’s not a guarantee.

You could also bring it to a TAG Heuer watch specialist. That way, they can examine the watch and give you an estimate of when it was manufactured. Again, they might not be able to tell, but it might be worth a try.

Does Every Tag Heuer Watch Have a Serial Number?

Every TAG Heuer watch has a serial number, and it will usually be on the case back. If you can’t find a serial number, make sure you look as close as possible because they can be hard to read. If you’re sure the watch is missing a serial number, it’s likely fake.

This is why the first thing you should do if you suspect the watch is fake is to check the serial number. It can often indicate that something is wrong, so you should pay close attention to it.

Sometimes, you may need some glasses or something else with magnifying properties to see the serial number. Since the serial number is engraved in tiny letters and numbers, it can be challenging for many people to see. 

This is especially true if you don’t have the best eyesight, but even people with good eyesight may have trouble reading it on certain watches. 

So before you assume there’s no serial number on your TAG Heuer watch, remember to look as closely as possible in an area with plenty of light.

Register Your Watch Using the Serial Number

If you have a TAG Heuer account, you can register your watch online using the serial number belonging to the watch. If the system allows you to register the watch, you’ll know it’s authentic.

To do this, you’ll need to have a TAG Heuer ID, which is the ID you use to sign in to your online account. 

Conclusion

TAG Heuer watch serial numbers indicate when a watch was made and where it was sold. However, there is no online information on how to read these serial numbers. 

Although serial numbers are difficult to understand, the model reference numbers are easier to read. All TAG Heuer serial numbers are unique, but model reference numbers are not.

If your watch doesn’t have a serial and model number, there’s a chance that it’s fake. If you’re worried that your watch is fake, you should bring it to a TAG Heuer watch professional so that they can examine it.

Jasper

Jasper has always been a fan of watches. But when he took on a project of restoring a nearly 30-year-old timepiece, he was hooked. Throughout the years, he has learned a lot about horology and shared his passion on Watches of Today!

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