Perhaps surprisingly described by TAG Heuer themselves as 'the basic sportswatch', when you think about it... it actually kind of makes sense. There are no chronographs for a start and nor are there any 'automatic' models. Dial colours are extremely limited too, with just five options available throughout the range: white, black, blue and granite, plus one 'full-lume' piece which was rather annoyingly only offered as a midsize option!
The range is actually smaller than it first appears, largely because the vast majority of models were given two numbers (pre and post 1992) and when you take those duplications out of the equation suddenly you realise there really aren't all that many 1500s to look at.
So this post will be shorter than some, but hopefully educationally worthwhile - it certainly opened my eyes to what the 1500 series has to offer.
1991 CATALOGUE
The 1500 Series arrives in the 1991 catalogue, frustratingly just one year before TAG Heuer decided to renumber every watch in their range. Somewhat similarly to the 4000 Series, the range arrives en-masse, with 20 models shown in the catalogue.
Since every watch has a post 1992 number, I am using that as the main number. I will also include a chart at the bottom of the page cross-referencing everything.
For your reference, the second number in the post 1992 model number indicates the size: 1 = full size, 2 = mid size and 4 = ladies. However, I believe the GMT full size was 40mm, whereas regular models were 37mm and midsize 35mm. Ladies were approximately 27mm. Presumably then '3' would have related to the old '15' size that TAG Heuer were using in the late 1980s?
WD1221.BC0633 (955.713/633/C): Midsize, granite dial, two tone bezel/case on brown leather
WD1411.BA0614 (959.708/614/M): Ladies, granite dial, steel bezel/case on a bracelet
WD1211.BA0610 (959.713/610/M): Midsize, granite dial, steel bezel/case on a bracelet
WD1111.BA0606 (959.706/606/M): Full size, granite dial, steel bezel/case on a bracelet
WD1111.BC0620 (959.706/620/C): Full size, granite dial, steel bezel/case on black leather
WD1211.BC0630 (959.713/630/C): Mid size, granite dial, steel bezel/case on black leather
WD1120.BB0607 (925.206/607/M): Full size, black dial. two tone bezel/case and bracelet
WD1220.BB0611 (925.213/611/M): Mid size, black dial, two tone bezel/case and bracelet
WD1420.BB0615 (925.208/615/M): Ladies, black dial, two tone bezel/case and bracelet
WD1120.BC0623 (925.206/623/C): Full size, black dial, two tone bezel on brown leather
WD1220.BC0633 (925.213/633/C): Mid size, black dial, two tone bezel on brown leather
WD1110.BC0620 (929.206/620/C): Full size, black dial, steel bezel on black leather
WD1212.BA0610 (929.113/610/M): Mid size, lume dial, steel bezel/case and bracelet
WD1110.BA0606 (929.206/606/M): Full size, black dial, steel bezel/case and bracelet
WD1210.BA0610 (929.213/610/M): Mid size, black dial, steel bezel/case and bracelet
WD1410.BA0614 (929.208/614/M): Ladies, black dial, steel bezel/case and bracelet
WD1221.BB0611 (955.713/611/M): Mid size, granite dial, two tone bezel and bracelet
WD1121.BB0607 (955.706/607/M): Full size, granite dial, two tone bezel and bracelet
WD1421.BB0615 (955.708/615/M): Ladies, white dial, two tone bezel and bracelet
WD1121.BC0623 (955.706/623/C): Full size, white dial, two tone bezel on brown leather
1992-1993 SELECTION
The 1992/3 selection catalogue added a couple of new pieces to the range.
WS1110.BC0620 (159.306/620/C): Full size, black dial GMT, steel bezel on black leather
WS1120.BB0607 (155.706/607/M): Full size, white dial GMT, two tone bezel and bracelet
1995-1996 CATALOGUE
Hard to believe, but the 1500 Series is already heading for the out-door. As is often the case, TAG Heuer decide to give it a boost in the arm to keep it ticking over for a few more years.
WD1210.BC0630: (929.213/630/C): Mid size, black dial, steel bezel/case on black leather
WD1213.BA0610: Mid size, white dial, steel/black bezel on a bracelet
WD1413.BC0640: Ladies, white dial, steel/black bezel on a bracelet
WD1222.BB0611: Mid size, white dial, two tone bezel and bracelet
WD1422.BC0643: Ladies, white dial, two tone bezel on brown leather
WD1423.BB0615: Ladies, blue dial, two tone bezel and bracelet
WD1223.BC0633: Mid size, blue dial, two tone bezel on brown leather
1996 CATALOGUE
Just one new piece added to the range in this catalogue.
WD1214.BA0610: Mid size, blue dial, steel bezel/case and bracelet
1997 CATALOGUE
The last outing for the 1500 Series, no new models were added in this catalogue
NON CATALOGUE MODELS
These are the 1500 Series pieces I have managed to find that didn't appear in any of the catalogues above.
WS1120.BC0623 (155.706/623/C): Full size, white dial GMT, gold bezel on brown leather
WS1111.BA0606 (159.006/606/M): Full size, white dial GMT, steel bezel on a bracelet
WS1110.BA0606 (159.306/606/M): Full size, black dial GMT, steel bezel and bracelet
WS1111.BC0620 (159.006/620/C): Full size, white dial GMT, steel bezel on black leather
WD1214.BA0607: Mid size, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet with polished midlinks
WD1422.BB0615: Ladies, white dial, two tone bezel and bracelet
WD1414.BA0614: Ladies, blue dial, steel bezel and bracelet
WD1410: Ladies, black 'Mickey Mouse' dial, black bezel, steel case and bracelet
WD1221.BB0611DIS: Men's, white 'Mickey Mouse' dial, two tone bezel, case and bracelet
WD1421.BB0615DIS: Ladies, white 'Mickey Mouse' dial, two tone bezel, case and bracelet
The 1500 Series is a bit of an odd one really and for some reason it seems rather biased towards the mid-sized models. Not only is the (always desirable) full-lume dial only available in a 35mm case, but the blue dials/bezels are also only available in 35 and 27mm too.
For a full size chap like me the GMT is the best option at 40mm (actually I already own a 159.006 on a bracelet) but those aside you only really have a choice of four different watches, albeit with each of those having either bracelets or leather straps.
As always, writing this post made think 'Oh I bet I could pick up a granite dial 37mm for a few hundred quid no bother', but looking on eBay all the 1500s that aren't knackered seem to be up for more than you would expect - especially for a 'basic' sportswatch...
Next time we will be looking at the long and extensive history of the S/EL.
To visit the TAG Heuer History Page Menu, click HERE
Many thanks for an excellent article with lots of detail for us TAG Heuer enthusiasts.
ReplyDeleteObviously with this much detail factual errors will creep in:
1. The very first watch has a bezel detail omission,
WD1221.BC0633 (955.713/633/C): Midsize, granite dial, steel bezel/case on brown leather.
That is a two tone steel and gold dial code and picture.
2. The third watch is mid size, not full size with those codes:
WD1211.BA0610 (959.713/610/M): Full size, granite dial, steel bezel/case on a bracelet.
Keep up the good work!
Hi, thanks for the heads up. You are right, these History articles are a fact checking nightmare. Am still working on the Aquaracer... four posts altogether. Hours and hours and hours of work. Rob
DeleteCan’t find the 929.206G-20. That’s a jumbo 40mm case. Not sure if the -20 means 40mm buts it’s confusing to not see it on that list. Also the 959.706G, it’s a jumbo 40mm case with granite dial.
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for your comment. As far as all the letters go after the numbers they tend to have minor meanings, certainly not case sizes. I suspect my list is wrong in as much as it says 37mm for those watches, but since TH didn't put the sizes in their catalogues and I can't physically check every watch sometimes it's a best guess. TAG also have an annoying habit of using 06 on different watches with different sizes, even when 06 is supposed to indicate the size. Really, really helpful. 06 means 'full size', 13 means 'unisex' 15 means 'boys/large ladies' and 08 means 'ladies'. I know the GMT is 40mm cos I have one and that is an 06, but that doesn't mean all the 06s are 40mm, I know most of them are 37. Quite why the couldn't have another number for jumbo (if we can call 40mm jumbo in this day and age) I don't know.
DeleteJust so you know, in the chart the numbers after the initial six are related to the bracelet or strap, so 929.206/606/M means it has a metal bracelet (M) with the number 606. C means Cuir (Leather). Hope this helps... and thanks for your input.
Rob
But yes I appreciate there are subtle number differences, all those letters after the numbers that no one seems to understand. I decided not to get into that because it's a rabbit hole that never ends and even if I tried to list every number with every letter people would still tell me I had missed some. It could mean different movements, or slightly different dials, who knows... I kinda take the view that as long as every basic style is represented that's enough. You also have to take into account that trying to find photos of all these watches would be impossible, especially if you want to claim the photos are correct - how can I check them? Especially if I don't even know what the letter at the end is supposed to mean... TAG Heuer probably couldn't even tell you what they mean, everything before 1999 is kinda 'old news' unfortunately.
DeleteI have a Tag Heuer 1500 and don't understand the serial number under the model number.
ReplyDeleteIt's a WD1221-K-20 with a serial number under that of: BS2511
so:
WD1221-K-20
BS2511
As you say, WD BS2511 K 20 is the model number (range and type) of watch;
Deletewhilst BS2511is the TAG HEUER unique serial number (identity) if your individual watch.
No one but TAG HEUER will be able to interpret that as it refers to their internal production schedule and identifies your specific watch and no other.
Sorry, my phone scrambled some of that.
ReplyDeleteWD1221 K 20 is the model number,
BS2511 is the unique serial number.
Thank you for all of this. I have a 155.706m I purchased on 1-8-1992 in St.Thomas. I have the warranty booklet original case and card board sleeve/box it came in. On that box there are numbers hand written an a sticker with numbers and it has additional hand writing.
ReplyDeleteInside the back case cover are stamped numbers. 1.200.0.0.30 is there any significance to these?
Hi Bernhard, nice watch - I have the steel version and I believe this can be worth a reasonable amount these days. No idea what those numbers could mean I'm afraid.
DeleteRob