T<25 Markings on a WK1121

So I ran across a Tag for sale yesterday and from first glance of a very poor photo, something just didn't look right with it. - I thought I would entertain myself and shoot him a message and then my cell number for some better photos. (He hasn't been able to get new ones to me yet.)

I started to post this in the Is My Watch Authentic but I'm hoping to gain a little more knowledge on the subject and get a history lesson so to speak rather than a "looks good to me" type of reply. Haha

He told me the watch was from 1973 which is way off to start with. It's marked as a WK1121, which makes it a 2000 series I believe. Then he told me he bought the watch second hand off another person, no box or papers.

After doing some more research and looking through the past catalogs, I think it dates somewhere from 96' to 99'- and can anyone tell me why the 1998 catalog is missing from the lineup?

Now the part that looked off to me, T<25 SWISS MADE T<25 marking on the Dial. For the life of me I can't find when Tag used those T markings? I did find an Ebay listing yesterday of the exact watch which is identical in every other aspect of this watch (to include the SN only being off by a few from each other). Part of me thinks this watch is good but yet the T markings on this one has me questioning it a little. In the 1999 catalog I see a WK1121 on P.13 but can't make out and determine if the T marking is simply the T SWISS MADE T or the T<25 markings.

Anyone shed some light on the T markings and give me a history lesson?

All seems good.

It’s a 2000 series. The format of the model reference with two letters and then digits immediately tells it’s after the late 80’s (or early 90’s) as prior to this a different number arrangement was used - two sets of three digits for the sports watches.


The T< markings refer to the fact that under 25 mCi of tritium is used in the lume. The T Swiss T means it’s under 7.5. When it changed between markings I have no clue and one of the more enlightened Tag Heuer collectors can likely advise. Certainly fewer of the T25 dials about and would assume it means it only lasted a couple of years, before reduction in tritium used and then completely getting rid of it.

The seller has got confused with the personalised engravings on the back. I’m going to assume the most likely reason for those engravings is someone’s returement or celebration of being at a company for 25 years and this their gift.

As to why a catalogue is missing. Nothing sinister, just nobody has scanned one in or supplied it to Calibre11. Remember these weren’t digital, so requires someone to donate or for David to buy it I would suggest.

Thanks for the input.

I gathered quickly as well that it was a 25 year "award" to someone with the dates on the back. The 1998 catalog was the one I was after to start off with due to the end date of 98' on the back and saw that it was missing.

Looking through the Ultimate Guide for the 2000s I gathered it was a Gen 2 or 1998 Gen 3 Classic just based on the 12 being added to the dial mostly but was really wanting to see maybe when the T<25 was used to narrow it down.

I am somewhat more familiar with its use on Rolex but definitely less knowledgeable about its placement on a Tag. Honestly, up until this point I haven't ever noticed it used on the 2000s and that is what made me take a step back when I first saw the add/picture? I've seen plenty T Swiss...

Still really interested to see if anyone knows maybe what years they used the T<25 on the 2000s and if in fact it is a more "rare" dial.

Looking at the Ultimate Guide again, in 1998 when they divided the 2000 into the 3 models; it looks like they added the square box around the date (ref the ad photo)... If this is the case, it would go to say that this piece is pre-98' right?

For comparison: my TAGHeuer 2000 bought in 2000. A WK2111 with only „T“ on the face.

Sorry, my WLAN had a break