In my opinion an engraving does de-value a watch as its been personalised for someone else. Not to worry though, a gold Longines will still be worth a few quid, and depending on the thickness of the backplate and the depth of the engraving, you will probably even get a watchmaker to buff the engraving out.

It's popular to hate on them because they're popular (the two luxury brands most people can even name) and since they aren't bought by the most discerning of consumer, stuffy enthusiasts turn their nose up at them. Tag turned themselves into the “Nickleback” of watches with cheap watches posing as luxury offerings.

If it has a plain case back, crafted from steel or a precious metal such as gold or titanium, you're fine — and can go ahead with whatever misguided inscription you want. But, if your watch has a sapphire case back — clear glass through which you can see the calibre ticking away — you've got a problem on your wrists.

Do Tag Heuer Watches Hold Their Value? Luxury watches like Tag Heuer are more likely to hold their value compared to other watch brands. They age well over many years due to the quality and valuable materials in the watch, as well as the brand name itself.