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Is the Heuer Ref. 905 Genuine or a Fake?

  1. CarrerOne

    CarrerOne Dec 3, 2014

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    Dear Experts,

    I have just bought this watch relying on the seller reliability, but now I have doubt about it and I would like to have your qualified advice: is it a genuine or a fake Heuer?
    Thanks for your prompt reply, maybe I'm still in time to have my money back.
    Ciao

    905 front.JPG
    905 back.JPG
     
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  2. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Dec 4, 2014

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    Very interesting watch and one that I have seen before- here are two versions of this Chrono.:
    Heuer Chronograph.jpg Heuer Chronograph-2.jpg

    I've discussed this watch a couple of times with Mark Moss, who has posted here his view as to why the watch is not correct.

    However, a couple of things have changed since Mark wrote his analysis in 2010- the main thing being this watch:
    Heuer Chronograph.jpg
    This is the Heuer Ref 3006, a watch that is confirmed as being correct, appearing in a Heuer catalogue. Note that several of the features of the watch are the same as your model:
    - "Chronographe Incabloc" text
    - Red date on white background
    - Hands

    So if we have one confirmed model, then it knocks out a couple of the points that Mark made- ones that I would normally have agreed with before we had this confirmation. And there is also the dial...
    Heuer Chronograph - Version 3.jpg
    If that is a fake dial, then it's the best one I've ever seen- the logo is perfect. The problem is that the logo on yours does not look right

    It is possible that the watch is one that was either made for a small market, or a prototype that was abandoned. However, there is no conclusive evidence to say that the watch is genuine (e.g. appearing in a catalogue), only enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that it could be. Collectors will rightly judge it to be incorrect until it is shown otherwise.

    I'm more open minded on this one, because history has shown that we are still learning about new Heuers- I think there is a good chance that this model was commissioned by Heuer, even if only as a test. However, I'm less confident on your example due to the quality of the logo.
     
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  3. CarrerOne

    CarrerOne Dec 4, 2014

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    You and this forum are great!!
    Thank you very much.
    Now an update from my side: I've just sent it back to the seller and I'm already looking for other (genuine) vintage Heur to soothe my broken heart....
    Cheers
     
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  4. Unstuckintime

    Unstuckintime May 23, 2016

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    Here's my incabloc 3006. It does not have red numbers for the date. It just came back from tag heuer service. image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg
     
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  5. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Jun 4, 2016

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  6. Yago

    Yago Apr 17, 2018

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  7. SteveHarris

    SteveHarris Aug 1, 2018

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  8. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Aug 1, 2018

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    No update as such, but my view is still the same: zero proof that its genuine, some tell-tale signs that it’s not (“Incabloc” on a dial is like poison Ivy!)...but still a nagging suspicion that it very well could be!
     
  9. SteveHarris

    SteveHarris Aug 1, 2018

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    Would there be no way to get one authenticated by TAG Heuer?

    Steve
     
  10. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Aug 1, 2018

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    I spoke with them about this watch about two weeks ago when I visited. Their position is similar- no evidence (yet) that its genuine
     
  11. SteveHarris

    SteveHarris Aug 2, 2018

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    Ah that's a shame. I actually purchased that one that I linked above. I liked the look of it and will post some better photos up once it arrives. Bit of a speculative punt really but I like it, so will wear it.

    Hope you enjoyed your trip there.

    Steve
     
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  12. Gambba

    Gambba Aug 4, 2018

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    Well at least the one you’ve picked up @SteveHarris has what appears to be the correct logo (nice bold and well defined), unlike the one originally posted. So it’s a good place to start.
     
  13. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Aug 4, 2018

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    Will update if I get any further info
     
  14. SteveHarris

    SteveHarris Aug 5, 2018

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    Thanks very much :thumbsup:
     
  15. MRC

    MRC Aug 6, 2018

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    That, to my mind, is the whole point :thumbsup:
     
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  16. SteveHarris

    SteveHarris Aug 8, 2018

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    Landed yesterday and gave it a bit of a clean. Very happy with it.

    Steve
     
    IMG_20180807_173013.jpg
  17. SteveHarris

    SteveHarris Aug 8, 2018

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    I can take some better pictures if they're of interest to anybody.

    Steve
     
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  18. craigbythesea

    craigbythesea Aug 13, 2018

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    Hi Steve, more photos would be great to add to a good post thread.
     
  19. Golfsohol95

    Golfsohol95 Mar 15, 2019

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    Join the club :p 20190315_154850.jpg
     
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  20. SteveHarris

    SteveHarris Mar 23, 2019

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    So I got this out of the safe today to take pics for someone that's interested in it. Its got the reference 7734 under the balance wheel. Does that help at all? I assume it means it's a Valjoux 7734 movement?

    Steve
     
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