Sunday 22 November 2020

HISTORY: TAG Heuer 2000 Exclusive (1999-2009)

 

The 2000 Exclusive came at a time when TAG Heuer was in the throes of becoming part of the LVMH group and looking to become more, ahem... exclusive. So what we have is a sort of 'higher end' version of the venerable 2000 Series, complete with a new more angular and chunky bezel. The 2000 Exclusive is rather 'new money' in it's approach with the big '12' and lots of gold bezels, but elegant it is not. Perhaps wary of competing with the Alter Ego series there are very few diamond 2000 Exclusives and (initially at least) a less than enthralling array of dial colours on offer. On the upside we do have a number of limited editions, some of which were very limited indeed.

One of the things I like about the 2000 Exclusive is the way they have kept the date 'level' even when it's at the '4' position, to my eyes it looks much better than the usual 'wonky' approach which always looks like it's been forced in wherever they could fit it. One downside of these watches though is the raised inner edge of the bezel which is highly polished and as such attracts a lot of little scratches, so if that's a deal breaker for you then maybe look elsewhere...

Interestingly, the 2000 Exclusive was never sold on any kind of strap (except the Aquagraph which was available on rubber) and I don't think I've ever seen where anyone has switched one onto a strap either. Perhaps this is a testament to the design and build quality of the bracelet, which is one of the nicest TAG Heuer have ever made in my humble opinion.


Please note, as usual exact case sizes are the subject of some speculation, I have gone with a generic 38mm for men's models and 28mm for ladies pieces. The 2004-2005 catalogues give the sizes for some models as 37.5mm and 27.2mm, but elsewhere we see sizes such as 39mm and 29mm.


1999 CATALOGUE

The 2000 Exclusive makes its debut in the 1999 catalogue, although only three pieces are shown - all three handers; a men's quartz, a ladies quartz and a men's automatic. One presumes that this didn't showcase the entire range, but merely a 'selection' to show the basics.



WN1112.BA0311: 38mm, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN1351.BA0313: 28mm, black/gold dial, gold/steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN2111.BA0311: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)


2000 CATALOGUE

The 2000 catalogue shows two of the watches from the previous catalogue wearing new bracelets, seemingly this is the case across the board now and the old 2000 bracelet appears to have been dropped for the Exclusive range. From this I would assume we can reasonably surmise that any watches with the old style bracelet originate from 1999/2000? 

There are now a wider range of watches on display including for the first time quartz chronographs.


CN1110.BA0337: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
CN1111.BA0337: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
CN1150.BA0337: 38mm, black dial, rose gold/steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


WN1112.BA0332: 38mm, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN1150.BA0332: 38mm, silver dial, rose gold/steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN1311.BA0333: 28mm, silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


WN2110.BA0332: 38mm, silver Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)
WN2111.BA0332: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)
WN1210.BA0336: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


2001 CATALOGUE

A lot of previously shown models are duplicated in this catalogue, but there are plenty of new pieces and also colour options are shown beneath the watches pictured.


CN1151.BD0347: 38mm, silver dial, gold/steel bezel on a two tone bracelet (quartz)
CN1152.BD0347: 38mm, black dial, gold/steel bezel on a two tone bracelet (quartz)
CN2112.BA0339: 38mm, blue Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)


WN1110.BA0332: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN1111.BA0332: 38mm, white dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN1212.BA0336: 28mm, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


WN1353.BD0342: 28mm, silver dial, gold/steel bezel on a two tone bracelet (quartz)
WN1354.BD0342: 28mm, black dial, gold/steel bezel on a two tone bracelet (quartz)
WN1350.BA0333: 28mm, silver dial, gold/steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


WN2112.BA0332: 38mm, blue Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)
WN1312.BA0333: 28mm, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


2002-2003 CATALOGUE

2002 sees a further, gradual expansion of the product range, including the addition of the first solid gold 2000 Exclusives for men and women.


CN1112.BA0337: 38mm, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
CN2110.BA0339: 38mm, silver Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)
CN2111.BA0339: 38mm, black Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)


WN1153.BD0341: 38mm, silver dial, gold/steel bezel on a two tone bracelet (quartz)
WN1154.BD0341: 38mm, black dial, gold/steel bezel on a two tone bracelet (quartz)


WN5140.BG0351: 38mm, silver dial, solid gold bezel case and bracelet (chronometer)
WN1340.BG0352: 28mm, MOP/diamond dial, solid gold bezel, case and bracelet (quartz)


2004-2005 CATALOGUE

The 2004 catalogue marks the point where the 2000 range splinters further with the introduction of the 2000 Aquaracer, and the beginning of the end of the 2000 Exclusive range. Undaunted, TAG Heuer started to introduce coloured dials into the ladies range along with the ultimate dive watch, the '2000 Aquagraph' which is clearly modelled after the 2000 Exclusive with the bezel in particular bearing a strong resemblance and is included in the 2000 Exclusive section of the catalogue as a consequence.

This catalogue also features a new range of bracelets, refreshing watches that we've already seen, but this is also the last catalogue to feature a full range of 2000 Exclusive watches as the range is rebranded Aquaracer and nearly all the 2000E models are expunged in the process.


CN2110.BA0361: 38mm, silver Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic) 
CN2111.BA0361: 38mm, black Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)
CN2112:BA0361: 38mm, blue Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)


WN111C.BA0359: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN13IC.BA0360: 28mm, silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN1310.BA0333: 28mm, black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


WN2110.BA0359: 38mm, silver Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)
WN2111.BA0359: 38mm, black Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)
WN2112.BA0359: 38mm, blue Clous de Paris dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)


WN2310.BA0360: 28mm, pink guilloche dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)
WN2311.BA0360: 28mm, blue guilloche dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)


CN211A.BA0353: 42mm, black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)
CN211A.FT8001: 42mm, black dial, steel bezel on a black rubber strap (automatic)
CN211A.ER004: Box set containing watch head, both straps and changing tools


2006-2007 CATALOGUE

As previously mentioned with the 2006 catalogue the 2000 name disappears completely along with nearly all the watches. The only carryovers are the Aquagraph (which drops the 2000 prefix) and the two (pink and blue) automatic ladies watches introduced last time around, though these are now categorized as 'Aquaracers' in the catalogue.


2008-2009 CATALOGUE

This is the final entry for the Aquagraph, which is itself the last remaining vestige of the 2000 Exclusive model line. Design cues live on in the Aquaracer series however, in particular the strong, angular bezel which appears to influence the look of such models as the CAF1112.



NON-CATALOGUE MODELS


CN111B.BA0337: 38mm, grey dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
CN111E.BA0337: 38mm, black/silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
CN111F.BA0337: 38mm, black/silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


CN111G.BA0337: 38mm, blue/silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
CN111H.BA0337: 38mm, silver/black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


WN1110.BA0311: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN1111.BA0311: 38mm, white dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN1113.BA0332: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


WN1115.BA0332: 38mm, taupe dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN1116.BA0332: 38mm, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) (Palau L/E)


CN111C.BA0337: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) (FIS Alpine Skiing L/E)
CN111D.BA0337: 38mm, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) (Seychelles L/E)
CN1119.BA0337: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) (FIS Alpine Skiing L/E)


WN111A.BA0332: 38mm, taupe dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) (Rangiroa, Tahita L/E)
WN111B.BA0332: 38mm, grey dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) 
WN111F.BA0332: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) (Mt Hood L/E)


WN111G.BA0359: 38mm, silver/diamond dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN111M.BA0332: 38mm, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) (Cayman Islands L/E)
WN1315.BA0333: 28mm, teal dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


WN131D.BA0360: 28mm, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) (Seychelles L/E)
WN131H.BA0360: 28mm, white/diamond dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN131J.BA0360: 28mm, silver/diamond dial, diamond/steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


WN1151.BA0332: 38mm, black dial, gold/steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN1152.BA0332: 38mm, white dial. gold/steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)
WN131K.BA0360: 28mm, MOP dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


WN5141.BG0351: 38mm, silver/diamond, gold/diamond bezel, case and bracelet (automatic)
WN1351.BA0333: 28mm, black dial, gold/steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)


2000 AUSTRALIAN SUMMER OLYMPICS WATCHES


During my research for this post I came across a poster for a series of watches celebrating athletes competing at the 2000 Olympic Games. I was already aware of the Marion Jones and James Tomkins watches and had photographs / part numbers in hand, and I managed to find a photograph of the Susie O'Neill watch but no part number... as for the others, well no luck so far, if I do manage to find something I will amend the post accordingly.


CN1116.BA0337: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) (Marion Jones L/E)
XXXXXXX.XXXXXX: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel / bracelet (quartz) (Susie O Neill L/E)


CN1118.BA0337: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz) (J.Tomkins L/E)


LIMITED EDITION WATCHES

CN111C.BA0337: FIS Alpine Ski World Championships Limited Edition - 700 pieces
CN111D.BA0337: Seychelles Limited Edition - ? pieces
CN1114.BA0337: Colin Jackson Limited Edition - 100 pieces
CN1116.BA0337: Marion Jones American Limited Edition - 150 pieces
CN1118.BA0337: James Tomkins Australian Limited Edition - 30 pieces
CN1119.BA0337: FIS Alpine Ski World Championships Limited Edition - 300 pieces
WN111A.BA0332: Rangiroa, Tahiti Limited Edition - ? pieces
WN111F.BA0332: Mt Hood, Oregon Limited Edition - 800 pieces
WN111M.BA0332: Cayman Islands Limited Edition - ? pieces
WN1116.BA0332: Blue Holes, Palau Limited Edition - ? pieces
WN131D.BA0360: Seychelles Limited Edition - 2000 pieces
XXXXXX.XXXXXX: Daniel Kowalski Australian Limited Edition - 30 pieces
XXXXXX.XXXXXX: Susie O'Neill Australian Limited Edition - 80 pieces
XXXXXX.XXXXXX: Shane Kelly Australian Limited Edition - 80 pieces



Now, at the start of this post I mentioned that I had rarely seen a 2000 Exclusive on a strap, since they were only sold on bracelets and few people seem to switch them out. But no sooner had I written that than MZZLeather posted a photo on Calibre11 of his WN2110 Automatic on a purple leather strap. I thought it looked fantastic and with his kind permission here you can see how great the 2000 Exclusive looks off its usual bracelet and on a bespoke strap made by MZZ Leather himself! 

I have to say that silver Clous de Paris dial is the perfect 'blank canvas' for any colour of strap, and it kinda makes me reconsider my thinking about silver dials being a bit dull!


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8 comments:

  1. how about WN1315

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  2. I have a Sydney Olympics Colin Jackson Limited Edition. Model number is CN1114BA0337

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for visiting the blog. I will update the post with the part number, thanks for letting me know!

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  3. Hi! I have one of the Susie O'Neill limited run watches from the 2000's Olympic Games series and the model number on the caseback is CN1117.

    ReplyDelete
  4. WN1153 model has solid 18k?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, solid bezel. Capped bracelet links.
      Rob

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