Impressed by Tag Heuer this weekend

[JBHII]

While they aren't held in the highest regard in the watch enthusiast community, I've always liked Tag Heuer. In fact, a Tag Heuer 2000 quartz was a daily wear watch for me for a good 2 years before I really got (infected?) into watches as an enthusiast.

This weekend I was able to visit a few of my favorite watch shopping haunts in Grand Rapids, MI and was quite surprised by the newest Carrera Automatic chronograph. Take a look at www.tagheuer.com and in their watch collection, check out the "Classics" section - the model I saw is #8 of 37.

The model I saw was the black bezel, with silver/grey dial. The watch is sort of a cross between a Speedmaster, and a vintage Daytona - absolutely stunning in person. The bracelet is clearly Speedmaster inspired, but has a wonderful push button hidden clasp. Sapphire front and BACK - so you can view the Valjoux 7750 inside. Guys, I've seen quite a few 7750s in my time, and I ALMOST didn't recognize the movement in this Carrera as a 7750 due to the decoration applied. I consider the 7750 one of the ugliest movements around, but it was absolutely gorgeous in the Carrera chrono. All this with a RETAIL price tag of only 2000.00. So you have to figure you could get it for 30%-40% off that number, which would be QUITE a bargin for the package offered.

I think you'll start hearing more about this watch in the coming months in the watch enthusiast community, but I believe it's now on my want list.

What do you think of this Tag Carrera chrono?

John

[Aaron]

I know the watch you are talking about and yes I think it is quite a nice watch.
It was interesting that you said Tag Heuer is not held in the highest regard by the watch community,this was something that I always suspected but never heard,yet for brand recognition my Tag 2000 Chrono Classic gets more comments than my Omega.

[JBHII]

Aaron said:

I know the watch you are talking about and yes I think it is quite a nice watch.
It was interesting that you said Tag Heuer is not held in the highest regard by the watch community,this was something that I always suspected but never heard,yet for brand recognition my Tag 2000 Chrono Classic gets more comments than my Omega.

Most definitely - during the 90s, Tag was quite the status symbol - the choice of the young professional, with Rolex being the "old rich guys" watch. You maybe correct too on the name recognition factor - I think more people in the general public associate Tag with being a "high end" watch. The Heuer watch company has a very rich history, but has gone though several changes in ownership since the 1980's when TAG purchased the Heuer watch company.

John

[johnnycanuck]

I agree and have a TAG Heuer Kirium. John, what you say about TAG vs Rolex is exactly what guys on Bay Street (canada's Wall St.) were saying.

I think you'll see TAG Heuer try to shirk that old repuation and make a move to build in-house movements and actually have a factory (currently their entire watch lineup is outsourced, i.e., TAG has NO factory, per se).

Acquiring Tiger Woods was part of this move. Mark my words, you'll see in-house movement and an up-market move in the next few years.

As a side note, my TAG Heuer Kirum is a tough MOFO watch. It was my daily driver for three years, I've dived with it in the Atlantic and Caribbean and it's also depth rated deeper than the majority of the Rolex line. It's also got a solid bracelet that is very comfortable.

[JBHII]

johnnycanuck said:

I agree and have a TAG Heuer Kirium. John, what you say about TAG vs Rolex is exactly what guys on Bay Street (canada's Wall St.) were saying.

I think you'll see TAG Heuer try to shirk that old repuation and make a move to build in-house movements and actually have a factory (currently their entire watch lineup is outsourced, i.e., TAG has NO factory, per se).

Acquiring Tiger Woods was part of this move. Mark my words, you'll see in-house movement and an up-market move in the next few years.

As a side note, my TAG Heuer Kirum is a tough MOFO watch. It was my daily driver for three years, I've dived with it in the Atlantic and Caribbean and it's also depth rated deeper than the majority of the Rolex line. It's also got a solid bracelet that is very comfortable.

The outsourcing issue is exactly the reason why most WIS frown on Tag. But you're right - if they address the issue, then they'll capture entirely new markets. I'm actually pretty impressed by their web page. I love the fact that you can buy TAG logo items right from the page....why don't Omega or (yea, right) Rolex do this too?

TAG has been steadily working toward shaking their "fashion quartz watch" reputation the last few years. It will be an uphill battle, but I'm seeing impressive things come from them. I might have to have another TAG in my collection in the near future.

John

[johnnycanuck]

Agreed. I really am impressed by the Monaco that had little rubber belts in the movement. Amazing!

[MikeS]

in price and quality! They have a huge quartz line but their auto's leave something to be desired! I agree once they go in house movements they will move up the laddder!

However i do feel the new movement they built is quite unique and i am very interested in this movement!

Just my two cent's worth!

[johnnycanuck]

Actually, the TAG automatics are powered by ETA and Valjoux movements, which are time tested and used in a myriad of other high-end watches like Brietling, Chopard, Tudor to name a few.

Overpriced? Not as overpriced as a Rolex. Quality? Mine is five years old and still keeping +-1 second a day, has been diving in two oceans, a few big lakes and travelled on three continents without skipping a beat.

I like TAG and expect great things in the coming years. And surprise surprise, they are one of the few watch manufacturers that DON'T copy Rolex designs.

[JBHII]

johnnycanuck said:

Actually, the TAG automatics are powered by ETA and Valjoux movements, which are time tested and used in a myriad of other high-end watches like Brietling, Chopard, Tudor to name a few.

Overpriced? Not as overpriced as a Rolex. Quality? Mine is five years old and still keeping +-1 second a day, has been diving in two oceans, a few big lakes and travelled on three continents without skipping a beat.

I like TAG and expect great things in the coming years. And surprise surprise, they are one of the few watch manufacturers that DON'T copy Rolex designs.

Don't forget Zenith movements - the Tag Caliber 36 is a WELL decorated El Primero movement, and is used in a couple of their models. I'd love to pick up a used Link Caliber 36 chrono with the white dial someday.

They rate very high on the quality scale with me - probably just a notch below Rolex and Omega. They seem to have improved in this regard in recent years.

As far as them not copying Rolex, I honestly don't think there are too many watch companies out there that don't have at least a few Rolex inspired modesl. Certainly TAG has more than a few too. Here's a pic of my Tag 2000 from a few years back - just click on the link.

<img src="www.shareyourpix.com/inc/i_importimage.aspx?u=375&a=320&i=3246&w=640&h=480">

John

[MikeS]

one Rolex company and that's Rolex! Someday people will get creative! Invicta did with the Lupah!

[johnnycanuck]

You're right about the older TAG designs ripping Rolex, but the TAGs introduced since say, 1997 have looked nothing like Rolex, which is a breath of fresh air.

I also really quite like the retro Carerra models.

[Lev]

the carrera has been one of my fav's for many years. i love the re-issue model and a few others. i was also shocked to find the aquagraph to be as nice as it is. i still think alot of their stuff is crappy but i do see a faint glimmer of hope and a turn in the right direction imo.

i had a blue kirium chronometer for a while and loved the thing. the most comfy bracelet i've ever worn and the stock 2892-A2 ran just over +1/seconds per day. a bit steep in price but a nice watch imo.

i'd love to see Heuer...i mean Tag ...make a come back!

[JBHII]

Lev said:

the carrera has been one of my fav's for many years. i love the re-issue model and a few others. i was also shocked to find the aquagraph to be as nice as it is. i still think alot of their stuff is crappy but i do see a faint glimmer of hope and a turn in the right direction imo.

i had a blue kirium chronometer for a while and loved the thing. the most comfy bracelet i've ever worn and the stock 2892-A2 ran just over +1/seconds per day. a bit steep in price but a nice watch imo.

i'd love to see Heuer...i mean Tag ...make a come back!

I'm with you Lev - I think TAG is on the right track and ripe to make a comeback. I think the new Carrera chrono I saw is a good example of that - a reasonably priced, quality automatic.

John

[johnnycanuck]

Yep, I agree. And that Carerra is one 'foine' looking watch.

Heuer has a history longer and possibly more rich than Rolex's. Being bought by TAG was likely the only way they could have survived the Japanese quartz onslaught. And don't forget, TAG (Techniques A'vant Guard) is a company that has long been a force in Formula 1 racing and they (TAG Heuer) have pushed the envelope in sports time keeping technology and are the current world leader in electronic timing.

They are going in the right direction and I'm sure their in-house movement production will happen.

On a similar note, I've heard rumours that Tudor is working on in-house movements and when ready, will relaunch in the USA in about a year's time. Let's hope Tudor can maintain their 'reasonable' pricing.