Tag Heuer - am I expecting too much?
Discussion
My Carrera had a screw loose ( literally ) and I sent it back and it was repaired as a standard service but I was told that they wouldn't be able to do the polishing as the bracelet is a brushed and polished mix? Even if I paid a ridiculous amount for it they just "couldn't" do it. Hmmm
I sort of hinted that they made the F$%^ing thing and with trying to be a "manufacture" they should get this sort of stuff sorted.
Didn't want to know.
I was so proud of it when I got it.
Now I am not at all bothered about getting another TH and will be looking at Omegas and others next. They may not be any better and I feel more educated about watched now etc but they've definitely spurned a potential customer with crappy service.
Shame
I sort of hinted that they made the F$%^ing thing and with trying to be a "manufacture" they should get this sort of stuff sorted.
Didn't want to know.
I was so proud of it when I got it.
Now I am not at all bothered about getting another TH and will be looking at Omegas and others next. They may not be any better and I feel more educated about watched now etc but they've definitely spurned a potential customer with crappy service.
Shame
To join in on the Tag Heuer kicking, I have a broken F1. It has been back for repair twice (fixed both times, subsequently broke again).
First and second time the watch stopped for no apparent reason. Service centre had the watch for quite some time and no explanation of what was done to the watch.
To their credit it was out of warranty the second time around but they looked again without charge (presumably as the same problem reoccured within 6 months).
The stop/start pusher has somehow became skewed since I've had it back. It has never been hit hard or dropped so I cannot think how this would have happened. It will work occasionally but needs to be pushed at a certain angle. The water resistance of the watch is likely nil now as the is around 0.5 mm gap to one side of the pusher.
I didn't send it back in for this repair as it had been a hassle to deal with them in the past and I lost all interest in the watch. I certainly wouldn't call it quality.
I don't even know where the thing is now, I tried to find it out a couple of months ago, but no idea where I would have put it. I'm not bothered if it is lost.
First and second time the watch stopped for no apparent reason. Service centre had the watch for quite some time and no explanation of what was done to the watch.
To their credit it was out of warranty the second time around but they looked again without charge (presumably as the same problem reoccured within 6 months).
The stop/start pusher has somehow became skewed since I've had it back. It has never been hit hard or dropped so I cannot think how this would have happened. It will work occasionally but needs to be pushed at a certain angle. The water resistance of the watch is likely nil now as the is around 0.5 mm gap to one side of the pusher.
I didn't send it back in for this repair as it had been a hassle to deal with them in the past and I lost all interest in the watch. I certainly wouldn't call it quality.
I don't even know where the thing is now, I tried to find it out a couple of months ago, but no idea where I would have put it. I'm not bothered if it is lost.
I'm shocked at how many people have had similar experiences from what I would class as a premium brand watch. I would certainly never buy another one again either. I've had an Omega for over 10 years and it has needed two batteries in that time. Never been told it needed a service and definitely not for over £200! I just wish I knew where it was, I've hidden it in a "safe place" and now can't find it 
Got my Tag back today so I'll take it in at the weekend for an independent's view.
Got my Tag back today so I'll take it in at the weekend for an independent's view.
Got a new battery put in it today for £7.50 at my local watch repairers. The guy there seemed pretty bemused by the "high consumption" statement. Even in the 5 minutes I was in there someone else rang the shop to ask about a new battery for their Tag. I had downloaded a 10% discount voucher online thinking it would be more expensive, so even if I have to change the battery every year I could go 10 years for the price of one battery from Tag!
VictoriaYorks said:
I'm shocked at how many people have had similar experiences from what I would class as a premium brand watch.
Amazing what marketing will do, reality is that you will find better quartz movements in most Seiko's and Citizens at a 1/10 of the price. (not deriding them, well known that the Japanese make the best quartz movements)Never understood the attractions of Tags, they are a mass produced watch with a premium price that really impresses nobody, and you are not getting a beautiful piece of horological craftsmanship on your wrist.
thehawk said:
Amazing what marketing will do, reality is that you will find better quartz movements in most Seiko's and Citizens at a 1/10 of the price. (not deriding them, well known that the Japanese make the best quartz movements)
Never understood the attractions of Tags, they are a mass produced watch with a premium price that really impresses nobody, and you are not getting a beautiful piece of horological craftsmanship on your wrist.
To be fair they make some very nice looking watches, granted some of them are Heuer remakes but thats one factor. I'm sure the Heuer name works wonders on the average buyer. A few pics of the Monaco on Steve McQueen and the impression is there that they're an old company so must be doing something right. Never understood the attractions of Tags, they are a mass produced watch with a premium price that really impresses nobody, and you are not getting a beautiful piece of horological craftsmanship on your wrist.
I have a 1500 Series going strong after 16 years in service worn every day. I think I am only on my 3rd or 4th battery in that time, all changed for a £5 at my local jewelers. I really cannot complain about the watch at all. Some of the plating has worn off with age so I was thinking of returning it to the Tag Heuer service centre but will probably not bother now based on the experiences of others here. May just put the money towards a nice new watch.
I am really wanting one of these http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/mx5652/tag-heuer-car... but by the looks of it according to this thread I should stay well clear of Tag?
Any alternative suggestions for similar looking watch or is there anyone prepared to defend the Tag ?
Any alternative suggestions for similar looking watch or is there anyone prepared to defend the Tag ?
Rolex, Breitling and Omega include a case and bracelet refurb in their service. Cartier and tag don't, or it's chargeable. I'm a Rolex fan, but in my opinion I'd have to say you get the best vfm from a Breitling service as you also get a full new set of hands every time. As for tag I don't think it's really worth sending back to them for batteries, but worth checking that the independents are going to guarantee the water resistance for their £7.50. If not worth keeping it out of water.
Although I did give them a kicking for some elements they are not worth avoiding. Obv this is a fairly busy sub section and people with problems will be more motivated to post I think.
If you like it then go for it. They must make loads and most people have no trouble. I am of the opinion that quartz as this end of the market is a no-no. As others say better to go Japanese in that case. I would go for a proper auto-movement in a Tag. This may well be an ETA but is starting to go 'in-house' ( which is another can of worms on how in-house their 'in-house' movement ( Cal 1887 or something) actually is!
I am happy with mine and the fix they made. Just that they couldn't re-finish it. I would have been better off going to HeuerBoy etc and getting them to do it.
If you like it then go for it. They must make loads and most people have no trouble. I am of the opinion that quartz as this end of the market is a no-no. As others say better to go Japanese in that case. I would go for a proper auto-movement in a Tag. This may well be an ETA but is starting to go 'in-house' ( which is another can of worms on how in-house their 'in-house' movement ( Cal 1887 or something) actually is!
I am happy with mine and the fix they made. Just that they couldn't re-finish it. I would have been better off going to HeuerBoy etc and getting them to do it.
jjr1 said:
I am really wanting one of these http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/mx5652/tag-heuer-car... but by the looks of it according to this thread I should stay well clear of Tag?
Any alternative suggestions for similar looking watch or is there anyone prepared to defend the Tag ?
My OH bought an automatic at the same time he bought mine and it's been fine, but no battery to go wrongAny alternative suggestions for similar looking watch or is there anyone prepared to defend the Tag ?
tickious said:
Rolex, Breitling and Omega include a case and bracelet refurb in their service. Cartier and tag don't, or it's chargeable. I'm a Rolex fan, but in my opinion I'd have to say you get the best vfm from a Breitling service as you also get a full new set of hands every time. As for tag I don't think it's really worth sending back to them for batteries, but worth checking that the independents are going to guarantee the water resistance for their £7.50. If not worth keeping it out of water.
Oh it's definitely not guaranteed water tight, they made that clear when they changed the battery, but the closest it gets to water is when I was my hands so it's fine for meAny local Timpsons will do a new battery, waterproof re-seal, pressure test and guarantee the waterproof seal. I've used Timpsons for an old Tag's new battery; recommended.
ETA: www.timpson.co.uk/services/69/watch-repairs
Timpson started repairing watches in 1997 and has learned a lot very quickly.
This is not just a watch strap and battery replacement service, our branches can respond to most complicated watch problems. Rolex's and Sea diver's watches are handled every week, helping Timpson become the 2nd biggest watch repairer in the UK, with 633 shops offering this service.
What can we do?
* All major brands repaired with original parts
* Divers watches resealed and pressure tested up to 1000 metres
* Water resistant checks, from 50 metres - 100 metres
* Pressure tests above 100 metres undertaken at our excellence centre in Wolverhampton
ETA: www.timpson.co.uk/services/69/watch-repairs
Timpson started repairing watches in 1997 and has learned a lot very quickly.
This is not just a watch strap and battery replacement service, our branches can respond to most complicated watch problems. Rolex's and Sea diver's watches are handled every week, helping Timpson become the 2nd biggest watch repairer in the UK, with 633 shops offering this service.
What can we do?
* All major brands repaired with original parts
* Divers watches resealed and pressure tested up to 1000 metres
* Water resistant checks, from 50 metres - 100 metres
* Pressure tests above 100 metres undertaken at our excellence centre in Wolverhampton
Edited by SVS on Friday 8th March 17:50
SVS said:
Any local Timpsons will do a new battery, waterproof re-seal, pressure test and guarantee the waterproof seal. I've used Timpsons for an old Tag's new battery; recommended.
This. The only thing I'd send to LVMH is a box full of dog mess, even then they'd probably try and charge £200 for work that wasn't required. Utterly loathe them.
Decent indy for servicing the autos etc, or for stuff like battery changes just take it to Timpsons,
To buck the trend, my Aquaracer Chronograph has never missed a beat. Sent once back to Tag via their Westfield boutique for a service and battery change and was returned cleaned, polished and they'd re-painted the missing indicators on the bezel. In short, it looked brand new again.
Fantastic watches, don't let this alarmist thread put anyone off buying one.
Fantastic watches, don't let this alarmist thread put anyone off buying one.
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