Too Big To Be True --

Identifying oversized Heuers as the not-so-real things…

Written by Jeff Stein
(October 10, 2003).

Published in International Wristwatch,
November 2003 (Issue Number 73)

This Page Last Revised
(November 6, 2003)

Certain Rights Reserved...

Front Cover -- International Wristwatch -- November 2003 (Issue Number 73)

The Article -- Too Big To Be True (Page 144)

Photos of Valjoux 76 and Valjoux 61 Movements (Larry Singer and Greg Johnson) / Page 145:

Transitional Chronograph (Charles Edward Rush) / Page 146:

Comparison of the Backs of the Chronographs (International Wristwatch) / Page 148:

Genuine Flieger Chronographs from the 1930's and 1940's (Konrad Knirim) / Page 149:

Juan-Manuel Fangio Photographs (Various) and Catalog Scans / Page 150:

TAG-Heuer Targa Florio, from the Classic series (TAG-Heuer) /Page 152:

Pocket Chronograph (Valjoux 5) / Page 154:

High Dollar Fake -- Sold for $5000 at Auction / Page 156:

Thanks:

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This page presents a scan
of an article appearing
in the November 2003
issue of International Wristwatch.

Magazine Front Cover:

CAVEAT EMPTOR / Too Big To Be True:

Article 1^st page/Page 144:

Article 2^nd page/Page 145:

Article 3^rd page/Page 146:

Article 4^th page/Page 148:

Article 5^th page/Page 149:

Article 6^th page/Page 150:

Article 7^th page/Page 152:

Article 8^th page/Page 154:

Article 9^th page/Page 156:

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to all the folks who provided information about these chronographs -- both the real ones and the fake ones -- and who contributed to this article. From the casemakers, to the dealers, to the refinishers, to the watchmakers, to the owners . . . you each added your unique knowledge to help solve the puzzle. In the end, as each piece fit perfectly with the others, the picture became perfectly clear. You all know who you are; some of you prefer not to be named; so I'll express my sincere appreciation to all those who contributed and leave it at that.

Thanks to Gary and Terry (at International Wristwatch) for turning an internet article into a printed piece; thanks to Larry, Greg, Charles, Konrad and Pascal for the photographs that accompany the article; thanks to Jack Heuer and Pascal Bechu (at TAG-Heuer) for showing genuine interest in this issue and for providing the definitive confirmation that the fakes are fakes; and thanks Chuck Maddox for the editorial advice and suggestions, as well as the design for this page.

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