Is my TAG Heuer Authentic? All questions here please

Tavknack
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E Eva
is Chrono24 a trustworthy site?

If it helps I bought a limited edition Ulysse Nardin from a store in Monaco through Chrono 24. I was able to look the store up and talk to them etc and it was clear they were a real reputable store. You can elect to pay through an ‘escrow’ account which basically means your money is held in a trust until you receive the goods and ok the release. This provides you with a degree of protection as you can dispute issues if they ariseS I personally had no issues - my watch was perfect and I got it for 3,500 AUD below retail price here. That includes the import tax I had to pay courtesy of the Australian government. PM if you want more details I’m happy to share my experience if it helps.
 
Tag_ZA
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Tavknack Tavknack
If it helps I bought a limited edition Ulysse Nardin from a store in Monaco through Chrono 24. I was able to look the store up and talk to them etc and it was clear they were a real reputable store. You can elect to pay through an ‘escrow’ account which basically means your money is held in a trust until you receive the goods and ok the release. This provides you with a degree of protection as you can dispute issues if they ariseS I personally had no issues - my watch was perfect and I got it for 3,500 AUD below retail price here. That includes the import tax I had to pay courtesy of the Australian government. PM if you want more details I’m happy to share my experience if it helps.
Thanks for this as I am looking at purchasing from chrono for the first time, also through a Monaco seller.
 
M
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Hey all,

I recently purchased a Formula 1 (WAZ2011.BA0842) from a grey market “trusted seller” on Chrono24. Despite the Chrono24 guarantee, I have a few reservations about the watch. For starters, the watch was sold as “new” and came with this bracelet, rather than the typical Formula 1 bracelet: https://www.jomashop.com/tag-heuer-bracelet-ba0833.html

I have seen this bracelet pictured on this watch by another Chrono24 seller, but the seller I bought from didn’t picture it with the bracelet I received.

The box the watch came in also doesn’t appear to be the standard Formula 1 box. I understand that even ADs get boxes mixed up sometimes, but it added to my suspicion.

This is my first TAG, but the winding doesn’t feel as smooth as my Seiko Presage. There seems to be a fair bit more resistance and it’s a bit noisy.

I also haven’t had any luck checking my warranty status with my watch’s serial number on the TAG website.

If my watch is a fake, it’s a good one. The lume is good, the indices are well-applied, it’s keeping good time, the Tag logo on the crown isn’t suspect, the caseback engraving matches up, and the serial number matches the warranty card.

I took my watch to a TAG AD (chain jewelry store) and they didn’t notice any other red flags. I tried out some other TAGs while there, and while the winding felt a bit smoother, the noise from the winding was the same. They hadn’t seen the band I have on any other Formula 1s, and they confirmed my box is normally reserved for limited editions, but they said the weight felt right, the engraving seemed right, and they even said they were able to go through the registration process with the included warranty card—I don’t think they registered it though, since they’re not the ones that sold it to me. That should probably put my mind at ease to a degree, but I’m still kind of skeptical—guess that’s what happens with big purchases like this. I’m probably worried over nothing since I haven’t even seen this watch listed on any of the sites that the replica community views as “trustworthy.”

Has TAG made this watch with different steel bracelets, or is it reasonable to think the band may have been switched before the watch made its way to the grey market? Thanks in advance!
 
3C89B805-CF2C-407D-AA84-22FA8581A6C5.jpeg
akong71
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@Macgkern - always follow the golden rule when buying a luxury watch. Buy the seller! I know this is your first post, but this has been said time and time again. As for your watch, it is suspect - not because of the bracelet (btw, it would be helpful if you showed us a photo of the bracelet and clasp). I believe this watch should have the text "Calibre 5" in red on the dial. Check out the WAZ2011.BA0842 from the official TAG Heuer website and you'll see what I mean:

https://www.tagheuer.com/en-us/watc...alibre-5-automatic-watch-43-mm-waz2011-ba0842

The problem with the TAG Heuer watches of today is that the replicas are improving to the point where they are difficult to identify - unlike the models from just a few years ago. Anyway, I'd be skeptical about this one. Can you get a refund or return the watch?

EDIT: sorry - I can now see very faintly the red text which I assume is "Calibre 5" on your watch. Is that correct? Sorry, but the photo isn't the best. Also, can you show us a photo of the bracelet clasp and case back? As the the serial number not showing up, this would be due to the fact that you did not buy from an AD (i.e. grey market). Is your warranty card stamped by an AD? In any event, I am now cautious of the new TAG Heuer replicas as they are becoming very good (not in a good way). Good luck!
Edited:
 
M
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@akong71 I can return, it yeah. My watch does have the red Calibre 5 text on the dial, though. Here’s a picture with better lighting.
image.jpg


And here’s the bracelet.
image.jpg


The seller I bought from has 500+ sales with a 4.9 star rating on Chrono24; I’m just a little OCD and wanna make sure I didn’t make a mistake with my first big purchase.
Edited:
 
akong71
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@Macgkern - thanks! Yes, I just saw that and edited my post. TBH, I don't see any real red flags. Does the seller have a separate website you can check out? The fact that you can return it is also a good sign. Cheers and welcome to a great forum!
 
M
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@akong71 Thanks for your help. The seller does have a website; https://www.watchshopping.com/.

The serial number is also clearly engraved on the case back, but i was hesitant to post a photo because I’ve heard mixed things about whether it’s wise to post a serial number pic.
 
akong71
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As for the bracelet, I'm now guessing you have the 2-button clasp? You're right, the clasp should be the simple fold over with safety latch. It is possible they put on a different bracelet, but I'm unsure of why they would do that.
 
akong71
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@Macgkern - you are correct. I wouldn't post a photo showing a SN, but you can always edit the photo to black-out the SN. In any event, the seller appears to be a legit grey market dealer. Their prices look legit...
 
Jim Dollares
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M Macgkern
Hey all,

I recently purchased a Formula 1 (WAZ2011.BA0842) from a grey market “trusted seller” on Chrono24. Despite the Chrono24 guarantee, I have a few reservations about the watch. For starters, the watch was sold as “new” and came with this bracelet, rather than the typical Formula 1 bracelet: https://www.jomashop.com/tag-heuer-bracelet-ba0833.html

I have seen this bracelet pictured on this watch by another Chrono24 seller, but the seller I bought from didn’t picture it with the bracelet I received.

The box the watch came in also doesn’t appear to be the standard Formula 1 box. I understand that even ADs get boxes mixed up sometimes, but it added to my suspicion.

This is my first TAG, but the winding doesn’t feel as smooth as my Seiko Presage. There seems to be a fair bit more resistance and it’s a bit noisy.

I also haven’t had any luck checking my warranty status with my watch’s serial number on the TAG website.

If my watch is a fake, it’s a good one. The lume is good, the indices are well-applied, it’s keeping good time, the Tag logo on the crown isn’t suspect, the caseback engraving matches up, and the serial number matches the warranty card.

I took my watch to a TAG AD (chain jewelry store) and they didn’t notice any other red flags. I tried out some other TAGs while there, and while the winding felt a bit smoother, the noise from the winding was the same. They hadn’t seen the band I have on any other Formula 1s, and they confirmed my box is normally reserved for limited editions, but they said the weight felt right, the engraving seemed right, and they even said they were able to go through the registration process with the included warranty card—I don’t think they registered it though, since they’re not the ones that sold it to me. That should probably put my mind at ease to a degree, but I’m still kind of skeptical—guess that’s what happens with big purchases like this. I’m probably worried over nothing since I haven’t even seen this watch listed on any of the sites that the replica community views as “trustworthy.”

Has TAG made this watch with different steel bracelets, or is it reasonable to think the band may have been switched before the watch made its way to the grey market? Thanks in advance!
Which seller on C24?
 
Hubert
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^ Both of those are so FAKE!
 
MichaelRay
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MichaelRay MichaelRay
I’ve reported both watches
eBay did nothing and it looks like some poor guy paid $1,000 for the watch on the bottom.
 
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