VIDEO: TAG Heuer S/EL Quartz Chronograph by Birth Year Watches

 

FEATURE: Are TAG Heuer About to Drop a New 'Senna' S/EL?

 

S25.706C

Earlier this year Revolution Watches released a video interview with new TAG Heuer CEO Julien Tornare in which when asked about the 'Senna watch' he replied 'Yes, we're going to take care of that'. What, exactly, do we think was meant by that? 

Until recently I would have said any notion that TAG Heuer might be about to resurrect the S/EL was 'pie in the sky' at best, but following the pretty faithful re-release of the classic Formula 1... well why not? After all, the Link is a dead watch walking at this point, so maybe TAG Heuer does what the watch industry always does these days - looks backwards and releases a 'new' S/EL? Well maybe not, maybe that's pushing the idea a little far... surely it must be. But still the question remains, what was Julien alluding to when he made that comment?

INSTRUCTIONS: TAG Heuer 1/10th Second Quartz Chronographs (Various 90s/00s Models)

While I appreciate that for most of you this will be irrelevant, someone visited the TAG Heuer Forums asking for this manual as they couldn't figure out what was going on with their watch. Since I was scanning it I thought I might as well post it here as well. This manual is for various 90s and 00s models including the Kirium, 2000 and S/EL quartz chronographs.

FEATURE: The Joy of Switching Out Straps

 

Visit any watch forum and you will always find a thread where people are discussing which straps they are wearing on their watches, where they came from, how much they cost and which exotic animals were killed in the process. No word of a lie, someone on the THF Forum has watch straps made of giraffe and hippo leather - I can't even with that. But who am I to cast aspersions, do I not own a pair of brightly coloured sharkskin straps for my 4000 Series? Why yes I do... and here they are.

SPOTLIGHT ON: TAG Heuer S/EL 'Leonardo Nascimento de Araujo' Limited Edition Quartz Chronograph

CG1110 (with the revised dial)

One of my readers (Reims) left a comment on the 'S/EL' part number page recently, letting me know that the CG1118 was actually a limited edition for the Brazilian football player Leonardo Nascimento de Araujo. I did not previously know this, but I must admit I did wonder why the CG1118 looked exactly like the CG1110 (with the revised dial, the original - like mine, did not have the circles around the subdials) at least from the front view. 

Actually, to be 100% correct, initially Reims told me the watch was a limited edition for Leonardo di Caprio, which I knew wasn't right because LDC didn't become an ambassador until 2009, ten years after the S/EL was discontinued... and so this confused matters, because I could only find two pieces of information about the CG1118; one of which was a useless 'PicClick' link that had expired but just said 'Leonardo' limited edition... technically correct, but confusing when I was looking for 'Leonardo di Caprio'!

SPOTLIGHT ON: TAG Heuer S/EL 'Mickey Mouse' Dial Quartz Watch

 

WG1113.BA0423DIS

Back in March I told you the story of a very cool TAG Heuer 2000 Sports watch with a 'Coke' bezel which featured Mickey Mouse on the dial (if you haven't read it I will leave a link at the bottom of this post). This was very kindly forwarded to me by a member of the THF Forum (HoltzPlatz) who knew that I was looking for a Coke bezel 2000 and wanted to give me first dibs on it. But when I passed on that particular one because a) it was in America and b) because the eBay listing rather worryingly said it needed a new battery, he decided to pull the trigger on it himself. As it turned out when it arrived it really did just need a new battery (phew!), and as it happened I ended up buying a (non-Disney) 2000 Sports 'Coke' from America anyway! More on that another time - the 'Buying Experience' post for that is in the queue and will appear soon! 

At around the same time HoltzPlatz also sent me the details of another 'Disney dial' TAG Heuer he had stumbled upon, which languished in a folder on my desktop for several months, but now I can share with you the minty looking WG1113 S/EL you see here. 

BUYING EXPERIENCE: TAG Heuer S/EL Quartz Watch

 

WG111D

It's surprising sometimes when you look back through the archives, just how infrequently watch companies step outside their dial-colour comfort zone. Sure there are green, yellow, red and copper coloured dials out there in pre-owned land, but they aren't exactly plentiful and as a consequence they aren't always the most affordable pieces to collect.

Add to this that TAG Heuer often paired unusual coloured dials with Chronometer certified automatic movements and you can see why people listing their watches on eBay have lofty expectations on price (whether or not the movements are running to COSC guidelines 25 years later, potentially having had no servicing in the meantime...). 

GALLERY: TAG Heuer S/EL Quartz Chronograph

 

GALLERY: TAG Heuer S/EL Quartz Chronograph

 

GALLERY: TAG Heuer S/EL Quartz Chronograph

 

GALLERY: TAG Heuer S/EL Quartz Chronograph

 

VIDEO: TAG Heuer S/EL 1992 by Erased Culture

 

GALLERY: TAG Heuer S/EL Quartz Watch

 

GALLERY: TAG Heuer S/EL Leather Automatic Watch

 

OWNED: TAG Heuer S/EL 'Two-Tone' Quartz Chronograph

 

CG1120.BB0424

Believe it or not, one of the highlights of my visit to the TAG Heuer museum in La Chaux de Fonds in September 2018, was clapping eyes on an 'S/EL' for the first time. That may sound a bit silly given the other amazing things they have in their collection, but up until then I'd never seen one in real life and leaving Switzerland I was determined to get one into my collection. Fast forward two and a half years and I now have four... but this two-tone quartz chronograph was my first.

It wasn't my first two tone TAG Heuer, that honour went to my silver dial 2000 Exclusive and in truth it wasn't really my first choice either... in fact I only really ended up buying this because I couldn't seem to secure a black dial steel CG1110 in the right condition for a sensible price - they were either minty for £850-£1000, or £400 with 'issues', indeed I remember trying to buy one from 'Birth Year Watches' but they couldn't get a replacement crystal and I didn't want to buy it with a scratch on it. Eventually I did manage to get hold of one (that seemed okay) for £400... which then cost me another £500 in servicing and repairs, so that worked out well, huh?

At the time of purchase I was still a little bit unsure about two-tone, but I reasoned that if I was going to have more two-tone pieces then what better than an S/EL? Go big or go home, right? I also figured that if I bought the two-tone model that was available to me (with a white dial) then when I was able to find a CG1110 to buy it wouldn't be too much of a 'duplication' in the collection.

I will freely admit that once I got the CG1110 my interest in this one did wane just a bit. I haven't worn it as much for sure, but then again given the rapid increase in size of my watch collection over the last couple of years that's neither particularly surprising, nor exclusive to this piece. Indeed, there are plenty of watches languishing in the cabinet which very rarely see the light of day, my Microtimer is one and my original F1 Kirium is another.

I'm quite sure, some of you are recoiling in horror from these pictures... and I get it, a two tone S/EL is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, in fact to some of you this is probably something of a 'nightmare' watch. Not only is it quartz, but it's also a 90s design with a completely rounded off case, a bizarrely integrated bracelet, not to mention that famous 'S' link bracelet which is quintessential TAG Heuer, but also the focus of much (misplaced) scorn.

I'm betting most of the people who 'despise' this bracelet have never worn one though, as it's one of the most comfortable bracelets I've ever tried on. I don't really know why that should be but it's a fact that when wearing an S/EL I often completely forget about it and have to roll up my sleeve to check it's still there, it really is that good (and definitely better than the Link bracelet that replaced it, in my not so humble opinion).

As with the CG1110, the CG1120 had a mid-life facelift and while the new dial wasn't as horrendous as the black dial variant, I still prefer the original and that's what we have here. The CG1120 re-dial was a lot more subtle than the CG1110, all they really did was pick out the subdials with a slim black line whereas on the black version they slapped some really thick silver edges on that I really found quite objectional!

As ever with these old two-tone TAG Heuers, the gold plate is pretty thin, but mine is looking pretty good. Obviously the bezel is scratched up, but that's a given - gold is not a hard material and putting it on a bezel is a bad idea generally. But it does look cool, and you can't tell it's scratched unless you look closely. 

Unlike my CG1110, this one has always worked perfectly and the chronograph resets accurately, in fact the only slight issue I've had with it is that when I have changed the battery or altered the date sometimes the watch stops and I have to set it again. I suspect it may be something to do with the watch thinking the crown is still out when it isn't, probably not a massive problem and something that will no doubt be fixed someday when it inevitably goes back for a service. 

In a way, I kinda wish that I had bought a brown leather strap for this one rather than the black one for the CG1110, but then again, if you're going to have two tone you might just as well have the bracelet as well and really bling it up... and also I was a little worried that the new gold end links (which would be necessary to fit the strap) might not quite match the gold on my watch. I do like this watch but I do tend to always reach for other S/ELs in my collection over this one which leaves me wondering if perhaps I should move it on? I doubt I will, especially as this crown issue would need fixing first which could make it a bit pointless financially. 

I think most likely I will continue to sit on it and to enjoy an occasional day with it now and again instead. Ultimately, it's a fun watch to wear, it's just not the first one that catches my eye when I'm browsing my collection of a morning...

BUYING EXPERIENCE POST: 

http://tagheuerenthusiast.blogspot.com/2018/11/buying-experience-tag-heuer-sel-quartz_15.html

GALLERY: TAG Heuer S/EL Quartz Chrongoraph

 

GALLERY: TAG Heuer S/EL Quartz Chronograph

 

HISTORY: TAG Heuer S/EL & S/EL Leather (1987-1999)

 

It's fair to say that the TAG Heuer S/EL (sports elegance) is not universally loved, indeed for some people it epitomises everything that was wrong with the brand in the 80s and through the 1990s (the S/EL survived right up into 1999 when it was redesigned and rebranded 'Link'). But you shouldn't listen to such people, because they are plain wrong! The S/EL is a wonderful watch, available in a huge variety of designs and dial colours and with a wonderfully comfortable bracelet. Mark my words, sooner or later people will cotton on to this watch and the prices will go up!

Okay, to be fair, maybe I am a little biased; I already own four S/ELs... and yes, maybe in the early years of the model there were a few missteps along the way. But come on, there's a reason this watch survived for thirteen years (and much longer if you view the Link as a continuation of the line), so settle in and let's explore the many. many, many S/ELs that are out there waiting to tempt you into ownership! 

Before we begin though, a small explanation of the product codes. The 'S' at the start seems to signify 'S/EL' and the first two numbers of the code indicate the model and the third one (after the dot) indicates the dial colour (although you can rest assured it's not as simple as it sounds... knowing TAG Heuer it has its own special 'logic' like on this model a 1 is white, but on this model a 7 is white, who knows for sure?). 

The last two numbers in the first group indicate the size - Mens (06) Midsize (13) Boys (15) and Ladies (08). The group of numbers after the slash indicates the bracelet or strap number; on the models which made it past 1992 you can see the number repeated with a BA or BC in front to indicate bracelet (BA) or strap (BC). Where you see an M at the end of the number this indicates 'Metal' be that steel, black coated steel or gold plate. Where you see a C at the end of the number this indicates leather (cuir), this is necessary because some straps and bracelets have the same number - no really!

1987 S/EL CATALOGUE

The S/EL first appears in the 1987 S/EL catalogue, and becomes the second new watch released by TAG Heuer following the buyout of the Heuer watch company. At launch there are 28 references including the extremely cool black and gold 'S93.3' reference.

S04.708M: Ladies, champagne dial, gold case, gold bracelet

S04.713M: Midsize, champagne dial, gold case, gold bracelet

S05.008M: Ladies, white dial, two tone case, two tone bracelet

S05.013M: Midsize, white dial, two tone case, two tone bracelet

S05.408/454/C: Ladies, gold dial, two tone case, steel end link, brown leather strap

S05.413/456/C: Midsize, gold dial, two tone case, steel end link, brown leather strap

S93.306/461/C: Men's, black dial, black/gold case, gold end link, black leather strap

S93.308/455/C: Ladies, black dial, black/gold case. gold end link, black leather strap

S93.313/458/C: Midsize, black dial, black/gold case, gold end link, black leather strap

S94.406/C: Men's, gold dial, gold bezel/case, gold end link, brown leather strap 

S94.408/C: Ladies, gold dial, gold bezel/case, gold end link, brown leather strap

S94.413/C: Midsize, gold dial, gold bezel/case, gold end link, brown leather strap

S94.313M: Midsize, black dial, gold case/bezel, gold bracelet

S95.708/454/C: Ladies, champagne dial, two tone case. gold end link, brown leather strap

S95.713/456/C: Midsize, champagne dial, two tone case, gold end link, brown leather strap

S94.706M: Men's, champagne dial, gold bezel/case, gold bracelet

S94.708M: Ladies, champagne dial, gold bezel/case, gold bracelet

S94.713M: Midsize, champagne dial, gold bezel/case, gold bracelet

S99.306C: Men's, black dial, steel bezel/case, steel end link, black leather strap

S99.313C: Midsize, black dial, steel bezel/case, steel end link, black leather strap

S99.006/423/M (WG1112.BA0423): Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

S99.013/437/M (WG1212.BA0437): Midsize, white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

S99.206/421/M (WG1113.BA0421): Men's, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

S99.213/435/M (WG1213.BA0435): Midsize, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

S99.208/432/M (WG1413.BA0432): Ladies, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

S95.206/424/M (WG1120.BB0424): Men's, dark grey dial, two tone bezel/case/bracelet

S95.213/438/M (WG1220.BB0438): Midsize, dark grey dial, two tone bezel/case/bracelet

S95.208/431/M (WG1420.BB0431): Ladies, dark grey dial, two tone bezel/case/bracelet

1988 CATALOGUE

The 1988 TAG Heuer catalogue shows the same watches as the 1987 S/EL catalogue

1988/1989 CATALOGUE

The 1988/1989 TAG Heuer catalogue adds just one watch, a ladies size version of the white 'S99.0' reference.

S99.008/433/M (WG1412.BA0433): Ladies, white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

1990 CHRONOGRAPHS CATALOGUE

The first S/EL chronographs arrive; strange to think that for the first three years of the S/EL there was no chronographs available!

S39.306/421/M (CG1110.BA0421): Men's, black dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

S35.006/424/M (CG1120.BB0424): Men's, white dial. gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet

S25.206.424/M (CG1122.BB0424): Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet

S25.706/424/M (CG1123.BB0424): Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet

1990 S/EL CATALOGUE

The 1990 S/EL catalogue introduced three more chronographs into the growing range, including the most famous S/EL of all, the S25.706/459/C famous for its association with the great Ayrton Senna.

S29.006/423/M (CG1111.BA0423): Men's, white dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

S35.406/459/C (CG1121.BC0459): Men's, gold dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather

S25.706/459/C (CG1123.BC0459): Men's, cream dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather

1991 CATALOGUE

The 1991 catalogue sees a marked expansion of the range, including the first '15' boys' models (between midsize and ladies in size).

S89.213/474/M: Midsize, grey dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

S89.213/434/C: Midsize, grey dial, steel bezel/case, steel end link, black leather strap

S89.206/473/M (WG5110.BA0473): Men's, grey dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

S89.206/429/C (WG5110.BC0429): Men's, grey dial, steel bezel/case, black leather

S90.806/465/M (WG1110.BA0465): Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case and bracelet 

S90.813/467/M (WG1210.BA0467): Midsize, white dial, steel bezel/case and bracelet

S90.815/469/M (WG1310.BA0469): Boys', white dial, steel bezel/case and bracelet

S90.806/460/C (WG1110.BC0460): Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case/end link, black leather

S90/813/457/C (WG1210.BC0457): Midsize, white dial, steel bezel/case/end link, black leather

S99.206/475/C (WG1113.BC0475): Men's, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case, brown leather 

S99.213/476/C (WG1213.BC0476): Midsize, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case, brown leather

S99.215/468/M (WG1313.BA0468): Boys', dark grey dial, steel bezel/case and bracelet

S94.006/466/M (WG1130.BP0466): Men's, champagne dial, gold bezel/case/bracelet

S94.013/436/M (WG1230.BP0436): Midsize, champagne dial, gold bezel/case/bracelet

S94.015/472/M (WG1330.BP0472): Boys': champagne dial, gold bezel/case/bracelet

S95.806/421/M: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, steel case/bracelet

S95.813/435/M: Midsize, white dial, gold bezel, steel case/bracelet

S95.815/468/M: Boys', white dial, gold bezel, steel case/bracelet

S95.806/424/C: Men's, white dial, gold bezel. two tone case, steel link, brown leather

S95.813/476/C: Midsize, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, steel link, brown leather

S95.815/477/C: Boys', white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, steel link, brown leather

S87.006/473/M (WG2110.BA0473): Men's, champ dial, gold bezel, t/tone case, steel bracelet 

S87.006/478/C (WG2110.BC0478): Men's, champ dial, gold bezel, t/tone case, brown leather

S87.013/474/M (WG2220.BA0474): Midsize, champ dial, gold bezel, t/tone case, steel bracelet

S87.013/464/C (WG2220.BC0464): Midsize, champ dial, gold bezel, t/tone case, brown leather

 

S89.706/473/M (WG2110.BA0473): Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

S89.706/478/C (WG2110.BC0478): Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case/link, brown leather

S89.713/474/M (WG2210.BA0474): Midsize, white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

S89.713/464/C (WG2210.BC0464): Midsize, white dial, steel bezel/case/link, brown leather

S87.806/473/M (WG5120.BA0473): Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet 

S87.806/478/C (WG5120.BC0478): Men's, white dial, gold bezel. two tone case, brown leather

S87.813/474/M (WG5220.BA0474): Midsize, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

S87.813/464/C (WG5220.BC0464): Midsize, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather

S99.015/470/M (WG1312.BA0470): Boys', white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

1991 SELECTION CATALOGUE 

Just one 'new' piece here. If this model looks familiar, it's because you've already seen it higher up the page, but... for some reason it has a different part number for the strap in this catalogue, so presumably TAG Heuer updated the brown leather strap on this or I guess it could be a mistake? Even more curious is that when the watch becomes a WG1122 in 1992, it has yet another brown strap number.... (because the end link changes from steel to gold plated).

S95.806/475/C: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, steel end link, brown strap

1992/1993 CATALOGUE

1992 is the moment when TAG Heuer decided to renumber every watch in their range, causing untold confusion in the process... but still, the new numbers are a bit easier to understand - in some ways at least! So going forward we will be using the new numbers as the main reference, however, since TAG Heuer decided to give every watch in this catalogue an old number, even the ones that were just coming out (or were they?) we will continue to cross reference both references where applicable. 

WG1122.BB0424 (S95.806/424/M): Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1122,BC0459 (S95.806/459/C): Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather

WG1222.BB0438 (S95.813/438/M): Midsize, white dial, gold bezel two tone case/bracelet

WG1222.BC0456 (S95.813/456/C): Midsize, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown strap

WG1320.BB0471 (S95.215/471/M): Boys', grey dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1322.BB0471 (S95.815/471/M): Boys', white dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1322.BC0484 (S95.815/484/C): Boys', white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather

WG1410.BA0480 (S90.808/480/M): Ladies, white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1430.BP0483 (S94.008/483/M): Ladies, champagne dial, gold bezel/case/bracelet

1992/1993 SELECTION CATALOGUE

No new watches were shown in this catalogue

1994/1995 HIGHLIGHTS CATALOGUE

This catalogue gives us our first glimpse of the new 'S/EL Leather' range which dispenses with the need for an end link and gives the owner the option to fit standard leather straps to the S/EL for the first time. 

WI1150.FC6000: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, black leather strap

WI2151.FC6018: Men's, blue dial, gold bezel, two tone case, navy blue leather strap

1994/1995 SELECTION CATALOGUE

This catalogue adds more of the new 'S/EL Leather' range, highlighting some of the more flamboyant strap colours available.

WG1113.BA0473: Men's, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WI1110.FC6018: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel/case, navy blue leather strap

WI1250.FC6010: Midsize, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, dark green leather strap

WI1350.FC6026: Ladies, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, turquoise leather strap

WI2111.FC6018: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel/case, navy blue leather strap

WI2210.FC6016: Midsize, white dial, steel bezel/case, garnet red leather strap

WI2251.FC6019: Men's, blue dial, gold bezel, two tone case, navy blue leather strap

1995 S/EL CATALOGUE

This catalogue introduces yet more 'S/EL Leather' models, or rather highlights more of the selection available. With the 'S/EL Leather' all eight colours of leather strap were available for all three sizes of watch and given there were twenty references in all that meant a total of 160 possible combinations. Having said that, while all strap combinations would work with the white, silver, gold and maybe even the dark grey dial pieces, some of the straps would look a bit crazy with the navy blue dial models, I would suggest black, brown and navy blue would be the only ones suitable for use with those...

WI1111.FC6000: Men's, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case, black leather strap

WI1151.FC6000: Men's, gold dial, gold bezel, two tone case, black leather strap

WI1210.FC6022: Midsize, silver dial, steel bezel/case, light blue leather strap

WI1310.FC6014: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel/case, red leather strap

WI1351.FC6017: Ladies, gold dila, gold bezel, two tone case, garnet red leather strap

WI2110.FC6009: Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case, dark green leather strap

WI2150.FC6006: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather strap

WI2210.FC6022: Midsize, white dial, steel bezel/case, light blue leather strap

1995/1996 CATALOGUE

1995 brings a new bracelet for the CG1110 along with a further expansion of the chronograph range and of course even more models in the 'S/EL Leather' range. Also we see quite a lot of automatic three handers added to the range.

CG1110.BA0473: Men's, black dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

CG1110.BC0429: Men's, black dial, steel bezel/case, black leather strap

CG1111.BC0460: Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case, black leather strap

CG1112.BA0473: Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

CG1112.BC0459: Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case/end link, brown leather strap

CG1120.BC0459: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, gold link, brown leather strap

CG1121.BB0424: Men's, gold dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

CG1122.BC0459: Men's, black dial, gold bezel, two tone case, gold link, brown leather strap

CG2111.BA0423: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

CG2110.BA0423: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

CG2110.BC0460: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel/case/end link, black leather strap

CG2120.BB0424: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

CG2120.BC0459: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, gold link, brown leather strap

CG2121.BB0424: Men's, black dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1213.BA0474: Men's, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1413.BA0430: Ladies, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG5111.BA0473: Men's, black/grey dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG5112.BA0473: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG5113.BA0473: Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG5114.BA0423: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet 

WG5120.BB0424: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WG5121.BB0424: Men's, blue dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WG5211.BA0474: Midsize, black dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG5212.BA0474: Midsize, silver dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG5213.BA0437: Midsize, white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG5214.BA0437: Midsize, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG5220.BB0438: Midsize, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WG5221.BB0438: Midsize, blue dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WI1211.FC6022: Midsize, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case, light blue leather strap

WI1251.FC6007: Midsize, gold dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather strap

WI1311.FC6014: Ladies, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case, red leather strap

WI2211.FC6019: Midsize, blue dial, steel bezel/case, navy blue leather strap

WI2250.FC6022: Midsize, white dial, gold bezel. two tone case, light blue leather strap

1995/1996 SELECTION CATALOGUE

1996 CATALOGUE

1996 S/EL CATALOGUE

None of these catalogues displayed any new S/EL models that hadn't been seen before!

1997 CATALOGUE

The S/EL is still going strong, although its time is running out... this catalogue introduces a fair number of new pieces though.

WG111A.BA0423: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG111B.BA0473: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1118.BA0423: Men's, black dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1127.BB0424: Men's, blue dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG131C.BA0468: Ladies, red dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1325.BB0471: Ladies, black dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1419.BA0433: Ladies, black dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1433.BP0483: Ladies, gold dial, gold bezel/case/bracelet

WG2310.BA0470: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG2311.BA0469: Ladies, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG2320.FC8121: Ladies, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, gold link, red leather strap

WG2330.FC8122: Ladies, white dial, gold bezel/case/end link,. blue leather strap

1997 S/EL CATALOGUE

The quartz chronograph gets a new dial, in particular the CG1110 gets a new dial without a change of reference number! Unlike some models which undergo minor cosmetic changes but keep the same part number this completely alters the appearance of the dial (and not for the better in my humble opinion).

CG1110.BA0473: Men's, black dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

CG1112.FC6144: Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case/end link, blue leather strap

CG1114.BA0473: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

CG1115.FC6141: Men's, grey dial, steel bezel/case/end link, black leather strap

CG1116.BA0423: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

CG1120.FC6142: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, gold link, red leather strap

CG1125.BB0424: Men's, grey dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WG111C.BA0473: Men's, red dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG121B.BA0474: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG121A.FC6148: Midsize, blue dial. steel bezel/case/end link, blue leather strap

WG1226.BB0438: Midsize, green dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1319.FC6152: Ladies, green dial, steel bezel/case/end link, green leather strap

WG1125.BB0424: Men's, black dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1422.FC8116: Ladies, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, gold end link, red leather strap

1999 CATALOGUE

Just three new pieces in the 1999 catalogue, the S/EL's final official outing.

WG121A.BA0437: Midsize, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1312.FC6153: Ladies, white dial, steel bezel/case on a blue leather strap

WG2310.FC8121: Ladies, silver dial, steel beze;/case/end link, red leather strap

NON CATALOGUE MODELS

Hard to believe after wading through all that, but there's still more S/ELs.... lots more!

S94.406M: Men's, gold dial, gold bezel/case/bracelet

S94.408M: Ladies, gold dial, gold bezel/case/bracelet

CG1113.BA04**: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

CG1124.BB0424: Men's, green dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

CG2112.BA04**: Men's, silver dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

CG1117.BA0423: Men's, West McLaren Mercedes 1998 Limited Edition (3999pcs)

CG211S.BA0423: Men's, Jo Siffert Limited Edition (200pcs)

CG2113.BA0473: Men's, West McLaren Mercedes Limited Edition (1500pcs)

CG1118.BA0473: Men's, Leonardo Nadcemento de Araujo Limited Edition (300pcs)

 

WG111D.BA0423: Men's, copper dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG111E.BA04**: Men's, green dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG111F.BA04**: Men's, plum dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG111K.BA04**: Men's, Galapogos - Maldives Bora Bora Limited Edition (2000pcs)

WG1112.BA0473: Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1114.BA04**: Men's, black dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1116.BA04**: Men's, green dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1117.BA04**: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1119.BA04**: Men's, green dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1121.BB0424: Men's, champagne dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1133.BP0466: Men's, gold dial, gold bezel/case/bracelet

WG1214.BA04**: Midsize, black dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1233.BP0436: Midsize, gold dial, gold bezel/case/bracelet

WG1317.BA04**: Ladies, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1318.BA0470: Ladies, black dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG1321.BB0471: Ladies, champagne dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1326.BB0471: Ladies, black dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1327.BB0471: Ladies, blue dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG1422.BB0431: Ladies, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WG2330.BP0483: Ladies, champagne dial, gold bezel, gold case/bracelet

WG5115.BA04**: Men's, blue/grey dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet

WG5116.BA04**: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet (solid caseback)

WG5117.BA04**: Men's, blue dial, steel bezel/case/bracelet (clear caseback)

WG5118.BA0473: Men's, David Coulthard Limited Edition (500pcs)

WG5122.BB0424: Men's, black/grey dial, gold bezel, two tone case/bracelet

WI1110*.FC6018: Men's, TAG Heuer Challenge Limited Edition

WI1111*.FC6000: Men's, TAG Heuer Challenge Limited Edition

WI1111.FC6021: Men's dark grey dial, steel bezel/case, light blue leather

WI1150.FC6006: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather strap

WI1150.FC6012: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, red leather strap

WI1151.FC6006: Men's, gold dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather strap

WI1210.FC6001: Midsize, silver dial, steel bezel/case, black leather strap

WI1210.FC6010: Midsize, silver dial, steel bezel/case, dark green leather strap

WI1211.FC6001: Midsize, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case, black leather strap

WI1211.FC6013: Midsize, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case, red leather strap

WI1250.FC6007: Midsize, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather strap

WI1250.FC6022: Midsize, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, light blue leather strap

WI1251.FC6001: Midsize, gold dial, gold bezel, two tone case, black leather strap

WI1251.FC6010: Midsize, gold dial, gold bezel, two tone case, dark green leather

WI1310.FC6002: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel/case, black leather strap

WI1310.FC6023: Ladies, silver dial, steel bezel/case, light blue leather strap

WI1311.FC6002: Ladies, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case, black leather strap

WI1311.FC6023: Ladies, dark grey dial, steel bezel/case, light blue leather strap

WI1350.FC6008: Ladies, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, brown leather strap

WI1350.FC6017: Ladies, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, garnet red leather strap

WI2110.FC6012: Men's, white dial, steel bezel/case, red leather strap

WI2150.FC6000: Men's, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case, black leather strap

WG1112.BA0423DIS: Men's, white 'Mickey Mouse' dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet 

WG1113.BA0423DIS: Men's, black 'Mickey Mouse' dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet

S97.713: Midsize, blue/diamond dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet 

S97.708: Ladies, blue/diamond dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet

WI1110.FC6018*: Men's, 1995 Montreux Jazz Festival Limited Edition - 100pcs

WI1110.FC6006*: Men's, 1995 Montreux Jazz Festival Limited Edition - 100pcs

WI1110.FC6012*: Men's, 1996 Montreux Jazz Festival Limited Edition - 70pcs

Finally, we have the S/EL 'River of Diamonds' as seen here in this photograph which I took in the TAG Heuer museum in La Chaux de Fonds, no idea what the part number for this one is unfortunately, but I imagine it was probably made to order anyway. As you can probably tell, the entire watch is set with diamonds, including every other link of the gold bracelet - I'm pretty sure this is solid gold as well, I can't imagine you would set that many diamonds into gold plate!

Below is a chart which shows all of the various straps available for the 'S/EL Leather' series of watches - makes you wonder what happened to FC6003/4/5 doesn't it?

And last but not least, below you will find my complete list of S/EL models, including more that I have been unable to find photographs of (marked with a !), this obviously includes quite a lot of variation on the S/EL leather...

Finally it's worth pointing out that if you ever see a standard case S/EL with a leather strap that has the middle cut out to accommodate the centre link, it's non-original / aftermarket, TAG Heuer never made any straps like that. It's also hideous, but I guess if the bracelet is knackered it's a work around...

Well, I hope you enjoyed this trip through the history of one of TAG Heuer's most famous models, maybe it's inspired you to pick one up? Needless to say there will be more 'History' posts to follow, next up will be the modern history of the Monaco.

VISIT THE 'HISTORY OF TAG HEUER' MENU PAGE BY CLICKING HERE