TAG Aquaracer - Is this real?

Hey everyone,

Just received my (new to me) TAG Heuer Aquaracer WAY201A.

I got it through Chrono24 and now I get to check if it's real or fake.

Looks pretty damn legit to me.

All the paperwork from the previous owners (I'm the 3rd) is legit.

The serial number on the case back matches that on the guarantee card and on the authenticity paperwork from Watchfinder. It was originally bought from Selfridges in Feb 2017.

I thought I'd take the back off and check the movement, as I'm sending it off for new seals and a water resistance check anyway.

Below are the photo's I took...

...I found this website very helpful: https://calibercorner.com/tag-heuer-caliber-5/

From it I gathered the movement is a Sellita SW200-1 base caliber because of the 26 Jewels.

So...

...Does the movement look like a legit, pucker Sellita SW200-1 base caliber to you?

Just looking for a little reassurance before I commit to buying.

Thanks.

Marcus

http://watch-stuff.s3.amazonaws.com/...-26-jewels.jpg

http://watch-stuff.s3.amazonaws.com/...g-movement.jpg

http://watch-stuff.s3.amazonaws.com/...-case-back.jpg

Can't specifcally help you, but I guess the first question is what if anything leads you to think it could be a fake? Or are you just paranoid, which is of course quite reasonable these days!

The old advice is to buy the Seller as well as the watch, so does what you know about the seller give you confidence or not?

Yeah, I'm super paranoid.

Wish I wasn't, but, there you go.

The seller didn't set any alarm bells ringing. I told him I was going to get the watch authenticated (but the guy I was going to see is now in lockdown) when it arrived and he was fine with that.

I was just after a second opinioni =)

Can you take it to a Tag specialist? Pay £25? Worst case you have lost £25 and then you can return to the seller.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Samlack99

Hey everyone,

Just received my (new to me) TAG Heuer Aquaracer WAY201A.

I got it through Chrono24 and now I get to check if it's real or fake.

Looks pretty damn legit to me.

All the paperwork from the previous owners (I'm the 3rd) is legit.

The serial number on the case back matches that on the guarantee card and on the authenticity paperwork from Watchfinder. It was originally bought from Selfridges in Feb 2017.

I thought I'd take the back off and check the movement, as I'm sending it off for new seals and a water resistance check anyway.

Below are the photo's I took...

...I found this website very helpful: https://calibercorner.com/tag-heuer-caliber-5/

From it I gathered the movement is a Sellita SW200-1 base caliber because of the 26 Jewels.

So...

...Does the movement look like a legit, pucker Sellita SW200-1 base caliber to you?

Just looking for a little reassurance before I commit to buying.

Thanks.

Marcus

http://watch-stuff.s3.amazonaws.com/...-26-jewels.jpg

http://watch-stuff.s3.amazonaws.com/...g-movement.jpg

http://watch-stuff.s3.amazonaws.com/...-case-back.jpg

---

Have you checked the serial number with the Tag Heuer warranty on line ??

https://www.was.tagheuer.com/AfterSa...omerWarranties

Legit? Pucker?

Are you Del Boy?!

Also, you say you need to decide whether you commit to buying it ... I’d say by taking the case back off, you just did Commit to buying it...

If I were the seller, I wouldn’t take that back off you now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ach5

Legit? Pucker?

Are you Del Boy?!

Also, you say you need to decide whether you commit to buying it ... I’d say by taking the case back off, you just did Commit to buying it...

If I were the seller, I wouldn’t take that back off you now.

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I can't say I blame him.
Fake Aquaracers are now cushty looking and indistinguishable from pukka ones.
As they say on the Dordogne.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Samlack99

Yeah, I'm super paranoid.

Wish I wasn't, but, there you go.

The seller didn't set any alarm bells ringing. I told him I was going to get the watch authenticated (but the guy I was going to see is now in lockdown) when it arrived and he was fine with that.

I was just after a second opinioni =)

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Thing is though you’ve opened the case back. I certainly wouldn’t accept a return on a watch I sold when the buyer has opened it themselves. I you wanted it authenticated you should of gone to a professional to get it done.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by woodacre1983

Thing is though you’ve opened the case back. I certainly wouldn’t accept a return on a watch I sold when the buyer has opened it themselves. I you wanted it authenticated you should of gone to a professional to get it done.


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He could put the back back and take it to a professional.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kingstepper

He could put the back back and take it to a professional.

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Yeah and also for me as an owner I’d want it professionally checked now with the WR after he has opened it


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by woodacre1983

Yeah and also for me as an owner I’d want it professionally checked now with the WR after he has opened it


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You wouldn't know he had opened it himself and as an owner you shouldn't have sold him a fake.

Who is more wrong?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kingstepper

You wouldn't know he had opened it himself and as an owner you shouldn't have sold him a fake.

Who is more wrong?

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The seller of the fake, of course

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kingstepper

You wouldn't know he had opened it himself and as an owner you shouldn't have sold him a fake.

Who is more wrong?

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But if he opens it and ask for opinions on here then is convinced it’s not right and asks for a return there’s no way I’d be giving it.
1. I wouldn’t be selling a fake.
2. If I buy something and I am not convinced I certainly wouldn’t take the back off to ask other enthusiasts there opinions I’d post shots of the case etc. Then take it to a qualified watch repair or service centre to get it checked.


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I think it's out of order to open the back. If you're that paranoid you shouldn't buy online. You don't trust the seller, the selfridges receipt, the watchfinder certificate, so why did you bother?

You haven't decided to pay for it yet, but you're treating it like it's yours to mess about with. Feel sorry for the seller tbh.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Linocut

I think it's out of order to open the back. If you're that paranoid you shouldn't buy online. You don't trust the seller, the selfridges receipt, the watchfinder certificate, so why did you bother?

You haven't decided to pay for it yet, but you're treating it like it's yours to mess about with. Feel sorry for the seller tbh.

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Agree on all points.

The posts above suggest it may be fake; is it? (genuinely don’t know, but the movement looks really small for the case for such an expensive watch. Not necessarily a sign of fakeness, but doesn’t look great at that price point).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kingstepper

He could put the back back and take it to a professional.

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You’re suggesting this is acceptable? Remind me never to sell you a watch in future!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kingstepper

You wouldn't know he had opened it himself and as an owner you shouldn't have sold him a fake.

Who is more wrong?

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You’re saying it’s a fake?



I’m really surprised at your stance on this.

Interesting posts on this thread.

Food for thought.

After researching the movement I went ahead and purchased the watch.

Love it, feels so much more 'solid' than the Longines Hydroconquest.

Though I'm thinking 41mm would have been a better size.

No idea if it’s real or fake, but that spacer is humongous!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by woodacre1983

But if he opens it and ask for opinions on here then is convinced it’s not right and asks for a return there’s no way I’d be giving it.
1. I wouldn’t be selling a fake.
2. If I buy something and I am not convinced I certainly wouldn’t take the back off to ask other enthusiasts there opinions I’d post shots of the case etc. Then take it to a qualified watch repair or service centre to get it checked.


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Of course you wouldn't be selling a fake, just a scenario.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ach5

You’re suggesting this is acceptable? Remind me never to sell you a watch in future!

You’re saying it’s a fake?

I’m really surprised at your stance on this.

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If I buy a watch and think it's a fake I can open it as I wish. If it's not a fake all good, seller would never know. If it definitely is a fake don't think the seller can be aggrieved I'd opened it.

Appreciate that if I wanted to reject it for another reason the seller wouldn't have to accept a return.

And not saying it's a fake!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Samlack99

Interesting posts on this thread.

Food for thought.

After researching the movement I went ahead and purchased the watch.

Love it, feels so much more 'solid' than the Longines Hydroconquest.

Though I'm thinking 41mm would have been a better size.

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Just my opinion but I think the Aquaracer is a cracking watch.
The bracelet feels and looks about 3 or 4 times more expensive than the Hydroconquest.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RD200

Just my opinion but I think the Aquaracer is a cracking watch.
The bracelet feels and looks about 3 or 4 times more expensive than the Hydroconquest.

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Agree that the Aquaracer bracelet is one of the next watch bracelets out there. Always said that the one on my Aquaracer ana-digi is the best I’ve ever had...

I have never seen a spacer of that style in a TagHeuer. They are usually black plastic of this era.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by me32dc

I have never seen a spacer of that style in a TagHeuer. They are usually black plastic of this era.

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My 2008 F1 has a similar sized spacer.


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The short answer to your question OP is: yes it is real (genuine).

The movement is correct (Sellita SW200).
The movement spacer is correct.
The colour of the spacer is correct.

I don’t really understand what would lead you to open this watch up to check its authenticity given it’s has a Selfridges receipt, paperwork from 2 previous owners and certificate from Watchfinder who validate the authenticity of any watch they buy/sell. All you’ve done here really is compromise your position with the seller and, potentially, invalidate the water resistance.

For the record, I have a 41mm new AquaRacer, just written a review on here - it’s a rock solid offering at the price with a superb bracelet to match, hugely underrated piece. Enjoy the watch👍