Real Vs Fake: How To Check The Authenticity Of Your TAG Heuer Watch?

An embodiment of class, opulence and style, the TAG Heuer watches have carved a niche in the genre of luxury timepieces. Known as a pioneer in sports watches, the brand has been a testament to excellence and innovation for a long time. It is well-established for its high precision standards and statement aesthetics, providing an edge and sophistication to those who appreciate authenticity and panache. From sports icons such as Steve Mcqueen and David Beckham to celebrities like Leonardo De Caprio and Shahrukh Khan, the brand’s avant-garde pieces have been encircling the hands of the elite, making heads turn wherever they go.

On the left: Leonardo DiCaprio in TAG Heuer Carrera at the Wolf Of The Wall Street UK premiere. On the right: TAG Heuer Carrera CAR2012.BA0796 in steel bracelet

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TAG Heuer has set the bar so high that nothing less than premium defines the same—the TAG Heuer Carrera collection, Aquaracer, etc., are examples—of the brand amalgamating beauty and brilliance. Thanks to their popularity, businesses that produce imitations and duplicates have been watching the brand to capitalise on the pre-owned consumer demand. So, before spending your hard-earned money, make sure the one you are investing in is original. Here are some guidelines on how to spot a fake TAG Heuer watch so that you don’t become one of their next victims. 

1. Examine And Verify TAG Heuer Serial Number

Each TAG Heuer watch has an exclusive serial number, making this one of the most significant ways to verify authenticity. You may see the TAG Heuer serial number on the caseback. It should be engraved on the edge of the crystal for models with a transparent caseback. However, you may get these features in a fake version too. In that case, you can do a simple web search to verify the number and be sure that your money rewards you with the original TAG Heuer.

A potent sign of any TAG Heuer's authenticity is the unique serial number that is visible on every watch's caseback, whether solid or exhibition

2. Check The Authenticity Of The Sapphire Crystal Glass

Another key feature of the TAG Heuer watches is that they come fitted with sapphire crystal glass, ensuring scratch resistance and durability. This glass protects the dial and adds to the watch’s classy presence. However, fakes are likely to have not used the premium glass fitting; and instead utilised plastic-based materials or local glass. All you need to do is put some drops of water on that glass; if it makes a water pool on the surface, it is a sapphire crystal, and if water runs unevenly, then you better take an exit from that deal.

3. Test The Luminosity

Being skillfully curated for sports enthusiasts, one of the main attributes of the TAG Heuer watches is the use of LumiNova technology, which makes the dial indices and hands extraordinarily bright and visible in the dark. Although glow-in-the-dark effects can be produced with cheap techniques, TAG Heuer LumiNova’s outstanding clarity is a definite differentiator. By charging the watch with the torch, you can quickly tell if your watch uses genuine LumiNova technology by looking at it in the dark. If the time and other indicators need clarification, you are likely looking at a fake TAG Heuer.

TAG Heuer watches use LumiNova technology, which makes the dial indices and hands extraordinarily bright and visible in the dark

4. Examine The Chronograph Function

TAG Heuer has a rich history of producing the world’s fastest, high-precision and high-frequency chronographs in the industry, which measure time with phenomenal accuracy. The maison has set a benchmark in the industry and has won numerous accolades for its high-quality chronographs. So, the chronograph mechanism on your TAG Heuer watch should be flawless. Any inconsistency should be treated as a red flag.

Always check if the chronograph function of your pre-owned TAG Heuer watch is working effciently in order to spot a fake

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5. Crown

The crown is also a detail to check in order to spot a fake TAG Heuer watch. On a genuine watch, turning the crown should feel effortless and fluid. On a fake, matching this excellence could be demanding as you can experience some resistance and a sense of friction in the movement. Another check is that the TAG Heuer logo is pressed over the crown and not pasted. So, glue smears are the unmistakable indicators of a fake.

Wrapping Up

Purchasing a watch from a reputable, pre-owned platform like Second Movement is the simplest way to ensure the authenticity of a pre-owned TAG Heuer watch.