Tag Heuer - Respected in Watch Circles?

[Chicken Pox]

g3org3y said:

Just curious.

I 'heard on the grapevine' that apparently new Tags were not so respected in watch circles (compared with Rolex, Omega, Longines etc) owing to the fact tha they don't make their own mechanisms?

Is this true, or is the grapevine full of bks?

Someone I know is about to sink over 2k into a Tag and I'm wondering whether it would be preferable to purchase an equivalent brand (for quality, resale value etc).

TIA

How much over? For something more left field have a look at SpareParts "Tudor Heritage" advert in the classifieds, must admit nearly threw that kind of money at a watch (Sinn) not knowing much other than Tag and think I would have regretted it having had a chance to look around more settling for a Seiko (thanks to NeMeSiS guidance pics at Injury Time Flickr) whilst mulling over the large range of options, however if he likes it, is happy with it and won't then be haunting TZ (other watch forums are available ) then do it (and hope it gives some happiness too)

[LukeBird]

Freddie von Rost said:

Soovy said:

In watch circles (whatever they are) Rolex and Omega are not really that respected.

Of course, Soovy.

As much as I would like to disagree with Soovy's comment (because I do like some Omegas and Rolexs, nothing personal!) he is largely right.
Omega make some lovely watches but they are pricey for what they are (nice cases with ETAs in them) and Rolex make some lovely watches but are trading off their history and not offering any real innovation.

[simonej]

I don't think the discount outlet stores they have do them any favours! Not really what you expect from a 'luxury' brand! For some reason they seem to be the watch of choice of Carphone Warehouse/Phones4U salesmen as well.

The main reason I dislike them though is that lots of them seem to age terribly, the sports versions in particular. If you look at one from the 90s they look very dated, probably due to the fact they seem to constantly update them and release new models. They're just fashion watches really (and there's nothing wrong with that).

That being said, I actually quite liked my Aquaracer quartz that I had - despite the fact that the rotating bezel was almost impossible to turn and appallingly designed!

[CommanderJameson]

The only contemporary Tag Heuer I'd contemplate is the Grand Carrera. Seen a couple of these in the flesh and they're a mighty handsome piece.

Whether they're a couple of large handsome is something only you can decide, OP.

As for "respected in watch circles" - well. Nothing the man on the Clapham omnibus has heard of is respected in "watch circles", so keep calm and carry on.

[Miguel Alvarez]

The thing is are you actually hanging in watch circles? First and foremost you shoould be buying for yourself. Not saying you aren't but always bare that in mind. There are quite a few people I work/associate with who like their watches but very few of them are that bothered about what goes into a watch (history, movement, build quality etc). Some go for the more obvious choices others don't.

Now with that in mind take away the fact that you are on an internet forum talking to some very knowledgable guys on a subject at a level I'd put money on most of the people you associate with wouldn't give a damn about. Is it that important that Tag is "respected"?

For what it's worth. My first big money watch was a Carrera. I had an Aquaracer but swapped that mid last year for something else. The Carerra I've had two years. It had a minor date sticking issue that was resolved in about 3-4 weeks. It's subtle looks nice and does the job. The next Tag/Heuer I buy will probably be a Monaco but there are others on my list by other manufactures I want first. I'd quite happily buy again.



ETA - now I've woken up properly and had some coffee and please accept my apologies and substitute the "you's" for "your mate".

Edited by Miguel Alvarez on Friday 31st December 10:35

[dumbfunk]

Miguel - may I ask who fixed your Carrera's sticking date issue? That's the exact problem that TAG were unable to mend on mine after four attempts and 10 months in their workshop so I wonder whether you used a specialist instead?

Thanks



df

[Miguel Alvarez]

dumbfunk said:

Miguel - may I ask who fixed your Carrera's sticking date issue? That's the exact problem that TAG were unable to mend on mine after four attempts and 10 months in their workshop so I wonder whether you used a specialist instead?

Thanks



df

LVMH I assume/led to believe. I phoned them up said I'd bought it via Ernest Jones. they said go back to them I did. It went off came back and works perfectly. I don't wear the watch everyday as I have a few others now but I make a point of wearing it enough to make sure the date changes over night and it does. They did lose the warranty card to be fair but one phone call from EJ and that was replaced with a new one dated and noted as of at the purchase date. This was done Oct/Nov this year.

If it makes any difference the watch always ran fine and the date could be moved manually it just wouldn't change after a 24 hour period.

Sounds like you had some bad luck. It might even have been your thread I read as I was expecting it to be a ball ache of a problem but it was fine in the end.

Did you send yours bck via the shop you bought it from?

Oh and lastly it was within the warranty period as well if that makes a difference.

[dumbfunk]

Thanks Miguel.

My watch was not in warranty but rather was actually fully serviced by LVMH following a cracked crystal (for an all in bargain price of £675!) and returned with the sticking date problem. The issue was not present before the broken crystal so I assumed some glass had worked its way into the mechanism and was preventing it from changing over cleanly from 17-18 or 23-24 without being manually advanced. Their inspection report had insisted that a full service was necessary because of this exact risk.

Goldsmiths sent it back and it was returned 2 months later apparently fixed. Unfortunately a quick two-second test in the store showed the problem remained and they returned the watch with another explanation of the issue. We repeated this thankless ritual a further three times at which point LVMH had owned my watch for 10 months out of the previous 12 and it was still sticking in exactly the same way.

Unable to get anybody from LVMH to speak to me and thoroughly depressed I uncharacteristically gave up. I'd rather have a 99% working watch on my wrist than no watch at all and I'd lost confidence in their ability to fix it

I cancelled my plans to buy a Monaco and moved my attention to IWC instead. It's particularly depressing as I was so delighted with the watch before and working in corporate branding for ten years it really saddened me to watch my enthusiasm for Tag Heuer dissolve into apathy over such a simple but so poorly handled issue.

If anybody has a recommendation for a competent independent repairer in the Midlands I'd love to hear it.


df

[Miguel Alvarez]

That sounds st and yeah it was your thread I read that had me on the defensive. the cynic in me read between the lines on the warranty issue and I'll be wearing the watch alot more closer to the year time to make sure its working in the manor it should.

What's Goldsmith's (the shop you bought from) view on it?

I found the ladies in Ernest Jones to be extremly helpful and informative all the way through the process. Its a shame that they don't have much in there at the moment that I like as I would be more than happy to return my business to them.

[Sline]

I couldnt care less what the "watch circles" think i love my tag carrera and i love my rolex tt sub (again frowned upon lol)

I bought them because I wanted them, they were not bought to please others.

Ps imo the carrera is a much better looking peice than the speedmaster hence why i chose it.

[Adrian W]

GarryA said:

if you are stting it about losing money then you can't afford the watch anyway.

I can't disagree with anything said here, except this, I own a few watches and wouldn't knowingly buy a watch that I was going to take a hit on.



Other than my Oris Pro diver Chrono

And I do think the Deepsea is Innovative and an engineering masterpiece.

[Markh]

I think Heuer is much more desirable than a TAG

[pattyg]

Markh said:

I think Heuer is much more desirable than a TAG

I agree but it ain't easy finding a goodun. Most on that wellknown site look tired.

[Grey Ghost]

pattyg said:

Markh said:

I think Heuer is much more desirable than a TAG

I agree but it ain't easy finding a goodun. Most on that wellknown site look tired.

I have a Heuer from 1985 and it does look a little worn now, i.e. could do with a new metal strap and bevel.

Having said that I wouldn't part with it

[Markh]

Grey Ghost said:

pattyg said:

Markh said:

I think Heuer is much more desirable than a TAG

I agree but it ain't easy finding a goodun. Most on that wellknown site look tired.

I have a Heuer from 1985 and it does look a little worn now, i.e. could do with a new metal strap and bevel.

Having said that I wouldn't part with it

I have a 1969 Heuer Autavia, took a lot of finding

[g3org3y]

Chicken Pox said:

g3org3y said:

Just curious.

I 'heard on the grapevine' that apparently new Tags were not so respected in watch circles (compared with Rolex, Omega, Longines etc) owing to the fact tha they don't make their own mechanisms?

Is this true, or is the grapevine full of bks?

Someone I know is about to sink over 2k into a Tag and I'm wondering whether it would be preferable to purchase an equivalent brand (for quality, resale value etc).

TIA

How much over?

I think the total cost was about £2200ish.

Will pass on all the info above. I think he's more interested in the brands brands brands brands [/Taio Cruz] than the mechanics of the watch itself.

Will pass on the info, many thanks

[DKL]

A vintage Heuer would be nice but nothing with a Tag label.
Some lovely stuff here
http://www.heuerboy.com/heuerwatches.htm

[whitechief]

I bought my wife an Aquaracer nine years ago and it has been absolutely great, it gets worn almost daily and has little discernible wear.

[ism123]

[quote=g3org3y]I 'heard on the grapevine' that apparently new Tags were not so respected in watch circles (compared with Rolex, Omega, Longines etc) owing to the fact tha they don't make their own mechanisms? quote]

http://chronocentric.com/watches/brands.shtml

This may help explain a little bit.

I have had a Tag for 17 years now, amongst some of the other brands mentioned in that link...

[DjSki]

LukeBird said:

Freddie von Rost said:

Soovy said:

In watch circles (whatever they are) Rolex and Omega are not really that respected.

Of course, Soovy.

As much as I would like to disagree with Soovy's comment (because I do like some Omegas and Rolexs, nothing personal!) he is largely right.
Omega make some lovely watches but they are pricey for what they are (nice cases with ETAs in them) and Rolex make some lovely watches but are trading off their history and not offering any real innovation.

Totally disagree there gents, they are both well respected brands.