HISTORY: TAG Heuer 6000 Series (1994-2001)

The 6000 Series was launched in 1992 as the brand's new flagship model (although oddly did not appear in any catalogues until 1994). To modern eyes it can either look glamorous or ostentatious depending on one's viewpoint. I will admit that I hover between the two viewpoints at various times of the day.

As you will notice, some pictures are missing, this is because TAG Heuer show two strap options in the catalogues, but only provide pictures of one variant. If I can find pictures at a later date I will add them in. 

Straps for the 6000 Series are rather confusing, I will talk about these more at the end of the post. One contributing factor was that TAG Heuer mixed up the codes in the 1996 and 1997 catalogues, showing FC straps with BC numbers in 1996 and then swapping both pictures and codes in 1997! Thankfully by the time I'd got to 1996 I had grasped the basics and realised what had happened!

Speaking of the catalogues, I've had to use quite a lot of catalogue (drawing) shots, I always prefer actual photographs if possible but some of these were just not available in head-on shots.

1994-1995 HIGHLIGHTS CATALOGUE

The 6000 first broke cover in the 1994 'Highlights' catalogue, with a very small selection of pieces on display.

WH5113.BA0675: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (Chronometer)

WH2311.FC6047: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel on a navy blue leather strap (automatic)

WH1351.BD0680: Ladies, white dial, steel bezel, two-tone case and bracelet (quartz)

WH5153.FC6036: Men's, green dial, steel bezel, two tone case, green strap (Chronometer)

1994-1995 SELECTION CATALOGUE

The 1994-1995 Selection catalogue filled out the range considerably and includes the first appearance of the WH5151 which was the watch triple F1 Champion Ayrton Senna wore from the end of 1993 until his untimely death on the 1st May 1994.

WH1312.BA0677: Ladies, grey slate dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)

WH1212.FC6031: Midsize, grey slate dial, steel bezel on a fluted black leather strap (quartz)

WH1212.BC0654: Midsize, grey slate dial, steel bezel on a plain black leather strap (quartz)

WH1111.BA0675: Men's, white dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (quartz)

WH1151.BD0678: Men's, white dial, steel bezel, two-tone case and bracelet (quartz)

WH1252.BD0679: Midsize, slate grey dial, steel bezel, two tone case and bracelet (quartz)

WH2311.BC0694: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel, navy blue leather strap (automatic)

WH2313.BA0677: Midsize, blue dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (automatic)

WH2353.FC6038: Ladies, green dial, steel bezel, 2-tone case, dark green strap (automatic)

WH2353.BC0674: Ladies, green dial, steel bezel, 2-tone case, dark green strap (auto)

WH2351.BD0680: Ladies, white dial, steel bezel, two tone case and bracelet (auto)

WH5111.BA0675: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel on a bracelet (auto)

WH5151.FC6042: Men's, white dial, steel bezel, 2-tone case, dark blue strap (Chronometer)

WH5253.BD0679: Midsize, black dial, steel bezel, two-tone case and bracelet (Chronometer)

WH5112.FC6030: Men's, grey dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap (Chronometer)

WH5151.BC0653: Men's, white dial, steel bezel, 2-tone case, dark blue strap (Chronometer)

WH5112.BC0644: Men's, grey dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap (Chronometer)

1995 6000 CATALOGUE

The 1995 catalogue ups the ante on the bling front with the introduction of three new solid gold pieces, one with a full gold bracelet.

WH5142.BG0675: Men's, silver/grey dial, solid gold bezel, case and bracelet

WH5145.FC6061: Men's, green dial, solid gold bezel and case, bottle green leather strap

WH5241.FC6068: Midsize, Dark grey dial, solid gold bezel and case, black leather strap

WH1112.BA0675: Men's, grey dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

1995-1996 MAIN CATALOGUE

This trend continues in the main 1995-1996 catalogue with more gold case options being added on a growing variety of straps in ever less subdued hues (sunglasses highly recommended).

WH1112.BC0681: Men's, grey dial, steel bezel and case, green leather strap

WH1112.FC6048: Men's, grey dial, steel bezel and case on a green leather strap

WH1211.BA0676: Midsize, white dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1113.BC0648: Men's, silver dial, steel case, dark blue leather strap

WH1113.FC6042: Men's, silver dial, steel case, dark blue leather strap

WH1115.BA0675: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1153.BC0678: Men's, gold dial, steel bezel, two tone case, light brown leather strap

WH1153.FC6055: Men's, gold dial, steel bezel, two tone case, light brown leather strap

WH1213.BA0676: Midsize, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1313.BC0667: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel and case, red leather strap

WH1313.FC6041: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel and case, red leather strap

WH1315.BA0677: Ladies, blue dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1353.BD0680: Ladies, gold dial, steel bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WH1351.FC6054: Ladies, white dial, steel bezel, two tone case, orange leather strap

WH1351.BC0700: Ladies, white dial, steel bezel, two tone case, orange leather strap

WH1215.BC0686: Midsize, blue dial, steel bezel and case, navy leather strap

WH1215.FC6046: Midsize, blue dial, steel bezel and case, navy blue leather strap

WH1251.BC0661: Midsize, white dial, steel bezel, two tone case, dark green leather strap

WH1251.FC6037: Midsize, white dial, steel bezel, two tone case, dark green leather strap

WH1253.BC0662: Midsize, gold dial, steel bezel, two tone case, red leather strap

WH1253.FC6040: Midsize, gold dial, steel bezel, two tone case, red leather strap

WH1311.BC0695: Ladies, white dial, steel bezel and case, cyclamen leather strap

WH1311.FC6052: Ladies, white dial, steel bezel and case, cyclamen leather strap

WH2311.BA0677: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH2313.BC0694: Ladies, blue dial, steel bezel and case, navy blue leather strap

WH2313.FC6047: Ladies, blue dial, steel bezel and case, navy blue leather strap

WH2312.BA0677: Ladies, grey dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH234F.BG0677: Ladies, white dial, solid gold bezel, case and bracelet

WH2340.BG0677: Ladies, gold dial, solid gold bezel, case and bracelet

WH2341.FC6079: Ladies, dark grey dial, solid gold bezel and case, black leather strap

WH2343.FC6089: Ladies, white dial, solid gold bezel and case, red leather strap

WH2342.FC6084: Ladies, silver dial, solid gold bezel and case, brown leather strap

WH2343.FC6087: Ladies, white dial, solid gold bezel and case, apple green leather strap

WH2344.FC6086: Ladies, purple dial, solid gold bezel and case, purple leather strap

WH2345.FC6088: Ladies, dark green dial, solid gold bezel and case, ocean green leather strap

WH5140.FC6059: Men's, gold dial, solid gold bezel and case, dark brown leather strap

WH5141.FC6058: Men's, grey dial, solid gold bezel and case, black leather strap

WH5142.FC6062: Men's, silver dial, solid gold bezel and case, burgundy leather strap

WH5143.BG0675: Men's, white dial, sold gold bezel, case and bracelet

WH5143.FC6059: Men's, white dial, solid gold bezel and case, brown leather strap

WH5144.FC6065: Men's, purple dial, solid gold bezel and case, purple leather strap

WH5145.BG0675: Men's, green dial, solid gold bezel, case and bracelet

WH5151.BD0678: Men's, white dial, steel bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WH5153.BC0651: Men's, green dial, steel bezel, two tone case, dark green strap

WH5211.BC0657: Midsize, silver dial, steel bezel and case, red leather strap

WH5211.FC6040: Midsize, silver dial, steel bezel and case, red leather strap

WH5212.BA0676: Midsize, grey dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH5213.BC0686: Midsize, blue dial, steel bezel and case, navy blue leather strap

WH5213.FC6046: Midsize, blue dial, steel bezel and case, navy blue leather strap

WH5240.FC6073: Midsize, gold dial, solid gold bezel, case, light brown leather strap

WH5241.BG0676: Midsize, grey dial, solid gold bezel, case and bracelet

WH5242.FC6070: Midsize, silver dial, solid gold bezel and case, navy blue leather strap

WH5243.FC6074: Midsize, white dial, solid gold bezel and case, light blue leather strap

WH5244.BG0676: Midsize, blue dial, solid gold bezel, case and bracelet

WH5245.FC6071: Midsize, green dial, solid gold bezel and case, bottle green leather strap

WH5251.BC0690: Midsize, white dial, steel bezel, two tone case, navy blue leather strap

WH5251.FC6046: Midsize, white dial, steel bezel, two tone case, light blue leather strap

1996 CATALOGUE

The 6000 onslaught continues, and you may be forgiven for thinking you've seen some of these already... 

WH5140.BG0675: Men's, gold dial, solid gold, bezel, case and bracelet

WH5243.FC6069: Midsize, white dial, gold bezel, case, dark brown leather strap

WH5213.BA0676: Midsize, blue dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

1997 CATALOGUE

Three years into the 6000 Series and we finally see the first chronographs (quartz and automatic)

CH1110.BA0675: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet 

CH1111.FC6129: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel and case, blue leather strap

CH1112.BA0675: Men's, green dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

CH1113.FC6127: Men's, black dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap

CH1150.BD0678: Men's, white dial, steel bezel, two tone case and bracelet

CH1151.FC6130: Men's, green dial, steel bezel, two tone case, green leather strap

CH5110.BA0675: Men's, white dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

CH5111.BA0675: Men's, copper dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

CH5112.FC6127: Men's, dark grey dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap

CH5113.BA0675: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

CH5150.FC6128: Men's, white dial, steel bezel, two tone case, brown leather strap

 

WH1115.BC0682: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel and case, navy blue leather strap

WH5114.FC6030: Men's, black dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap

WH5153.FC6130: Men's, green dial, steel bezel, two tone case, green leather strap

WH5216.BA0676: Midsize, copper dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

1999 CATALOGUE

With TAG Heuer now in the hands of LVMH and an ultra modern new range in the form of the Kirium launched it's clear that the 6000 Series' days are numbered; but the line carries on for a couple of years yet, with still more watches being added.

CH1111.BA0675: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1212.FC6131: Midsize, grey dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap

WH2311.FC6139: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel and case, red leather strap

WH5215.BA0676: Midsize, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH5243.FC6068: Midsize, white dial, solid gold bezel and case, black leather strap

WH5243.FC6073: Midsize, white dial, solid gold bezel and case, light brown leather strap

2000 CATALOGUE

The 6000 is definitely starting to feel like old news now and looking a little bit 'last century' into the bargain. 

CH1113.BA0675: Men's, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

CH5112.BA0675: Men's, dark grey dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1315.FC6137: Ladies, blue dial, steel bezel and case, blue leather strap

WH2315.BA0677: Ladies, copper dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH5111.FC6127: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap

2001 CATALOGUE

The final outing for the 6000 Series and just two previously unseen models make their debuts in the 2001 catalogue. But fear not, for there are plenty of non-catalogue models to look at yet...

WH1313.BA0677: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH5114.BA0675: Men's, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

NON-CATALOGUE MODELS

Yes indeed, there's plenty more to go at, including a fine selection of limited edition pieces for the likes of Mika Hakkinen, Grant Hill, McLaren and the F1 World Championship itself!

CH1114.BA0675: Men's, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (Mika Hakkinnen L/E)

CH1115.BA0675: Men's, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (Grant Hill L/E)

CH1116.BA0675: Men's, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (F1 50 Years L/E)

CH1117.BA0675: Men's, dark grey textured dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (McLaren L/E)

CH1118.BA0675: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (Mika Hakkinen L/E)

CH1151.BD0678: Men's, black dial, steel bezel, two tone case and bracelet

CH5113.FC6129: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel and case, blue leather strap

WH1215.BA0676: Midsize, blue dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1116.BA0675: Men's, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1117.BA0675: Men's, green dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1118.BA0675: Men's, plum dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1113.BA0675: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH1114.FC6030: Men's, grey dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap (Limited edition)

WH1214.FC6031: Midsize, grey dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap (Limited edition)

WH1314.BA0677: Ladies, grey dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (Limited edition)

WH1152.BD0678: Men's, grey dial, steel bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WH1152.FC6030: Men's, grey dial, steel bezel, two tone case, black leather strap

WH1153.BD0678: Men's, gold dial, steel bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WH1151.FC6042: Men's, white dial. steel bezel, two tone case, dark blue leather strap

WH1353.FC6057: Ladies, gold dial, steel bezel, two tone case, light brown strap

WH1352.BD0680: Ladies, grey dial, steel bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WH1318.BA0677: Ladies, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH5114-2.FC6058: Men's, black dial, steel bezel and case, black leather (Luis Figo L/E)

WH5115.BA0675: Men's, copper dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH5112.BA0675: Men's, grey dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH2312.FC6139: Ladies, grey dial, steel bezel and case, red leather strap

WH2342.BG0677: Ladies, silver dial, gold bezel, case and bracelet

WH2343.FC6054:  Ladies, white dial, gold bezel and case, orange leather strap

WH5211.BA0676: Midsize, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

WH5214.FC6031: Midsize, grey dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap

WH5142.FC6059: Men's, silver dial, solid gold bezel and case, dark brown leather strap

WH5152.BD0678: Men's, gold dial, steel bezel, two tone case and bracelet

PLATINUM: Men's, blue/diamond dial, platinum bezel and case, black leather strap (L/E)

PLATINUM: Men's, silver/diamond dial, platinum bezel, case and bracelet (L/E)

PLATINUM: Men's, silver dial, platinum bezel and case, black leather strap (L/E)

PLATINUM: Men's, blue dial, platinum bezel and case, black leather strap (L/E)

The chart below shows all the models illustrated above. Unlike the S/EL Leather, because of the huge number of possible strap combination possible, I have not attempted to show every possible orderable variation. Even so, if we ignore the straps and bracelets there are roughly ninety unique 6000 Series models.

I promised to talk about the straps at the end of the post; this was one of the most difficult parts about this post (not helped at all by TAG Heuer confusing matters by showing the wrong codes in two of their catalogues!), but I finally got to the bottom of it thanks in large part to the 1995-1996 catalogue.

There were four different sets of straps shown in this catalogue:

FLUTED EDGE - STEEL FOLDING BUCKLE

PLAIN EDGE - STEEL STANDARD BUCKLE

PLAIN EDGE - GOLD PLATED STANDARD BUCKLE

????????????? - GOLD PLATED STANDARD BUCKLE

Bizarrely this set of straps are not featured anywhere in any catalogue and I can find no record of them whatsoever. Were they a set of fluted edge straps for gold watches that never actually made it into production? Who knows...

In addition, there was another set of straps which first appeared in the 1997 catalogue:

PLAIN EDGE - STEEL FOLDING BUCKLE

So there we have it, the full* collection of 6000 watches. I quite like the 6000. At the moment I own two of them, the WH1115 (blue dial, quartz) and the CH1110 (silver dial, quartz chrono), both of which fall in and out of favour with me. The bracelets are the same on both (which is unusual given the watches are different sizes and thicknesses); intricate and rather easily damaged, but eye catching and expensive in appearance.

*As far as anyone can say, after all with this many straps the possible combinations are endless!

Like the 4000 Series the 6000 has the TAG Heuer logo cast into the case, but it's done with rather more taste, and avoids the green and red colour palette altogether (on most watches it is painted black but on some it is left neutral). I was surprised while compiling this post just how many solid gold 6000 Series there were, which highlights the fact that in it's day this was the 'ultimate' TAG Heuer.

I believe I started this post in 2020 and I never would have believed how difficult it would prove or how long it would take. I wouldn't be surprised (despite my exhaustive attempts to check and check again) if there could be some small errors here and there, if you spot anything please let me know in the comments below.

For more on the 6000 Series, click HERE