Why so snotty about TAGs?
Discussion
I've been lurking a bit round here because my crappy old watch is falling apart and i fancied something a bit nicer. I like watches that i knew as TAG-Heuer - purely from an aesthetic and Steve McQueen/motorsport perspective. On researching a bit more, the watches i really like also used to be just Heuer (Monaco, Camaro, Carrera, Montreal).
From looking through posts here and TZ, it seems that TAG-Heuers aren't as well regarded as Heuers, but it's not clear why. Can anyone explain the difference to a complete watch newbie (or point me in the direction of a site that can)?
From looking through posts here and TZ, it seems that TAG-Heuers aren't as well regarded as Heuers, but it's not clear why. Can anyone explain the difference to a complete watch newbie (or point me in the direction of a site that can)?
I am confused by this topic. 
Vintage Heuer's with the exception of a Jo Siffert Autavia, Steve McQueen Monaco and not much else don't command as much money as a new Tag Heuer.
I purchased an immaculate 1971 Heuer Carrera last year for £800. A brand new Tag Carrera is more expensive to buy. I can't figure that one out?
Yes, there are people out there (me included) who rate the original Heuer's over the newer Tags. However, this is not been reflected in the values of the original watches.
£1000 - £1500 buys you a lot of vintage Heuer IMHO
Check out these Vintage Heuer's for sale...
http://www.heuerboy.com/heuerwatches.htm
Vintage Heuer's with the exception of a Jo Siffert Autavia, Steve McQueen Monaco and not much else don't command as much money as a new Tag Heuer.I purchased an immaculate 1971 Heuer Carrera last year for £800. A brand new Tag Carrera is more expensive to buy. I can't figure that one out?
Yes, there are people out there (me included) who rate the original Heuer's over the newer Tags. However, this is not been reflected in the values of the original watches.
£1000 - £1500 buys you a lot of vintage Heuer IMHO
Check out these Vintage Heuer's for sale...
http://www.heuerboy.com/heuerwatches.htm
Edited by wazza on Monday 26th January 13:09
Similar IMO to stuff like Hugo Boss and "Boss", or, Ralph Lauren and "Polo". One is the original and holds a bit more of a classy perception and the other is a mass market method of extracting as much £££ from the market as possible.
Heuer has made lovely classic watches since the 1940's and used to have a wonderful reputation in motorsport etc, but since TAG pruchased them in the 1980's, they've become much more of a mass marketed product for a global customer base. Much of the soul was lost along with the ED. Heuer name.
I guess its horses for courses, but most of the horologists I know, including myself, all lust after the classic Heuer watches as listed above, but would not give a penny to the TAG brand.
Just my 2 pence worth.
Heuer has made lovely classic watches since the 1940's and used to have a wonderful reputation in motorsport etc, but since TAG pruchased them in the 1980's, they've become much more of a mass marketed product for a global customer base. Much of the soul was lost along with the ED. Heuer name.
I guess its horses for courses, but most of the horologists I know, including myself, all lust after the classic Heuer watches as listed above, but would not give a penny to the TAG brand.
Just my 2 pence worth.
As Mr Noble sys I think its largely because the original Heuer company made some great and iconic watches especially sports chronos, however, when they were taken over by Tag Heuer they not only stopped making such interesting watches and indeed became more of a branding company outsourcing pretty much all their production.
Until recently the only interesting watches they produced (IMO of course) were re-issues of the original Heuers - not really the work of an innovative company in my view. However, I do feel as though they are starting to find their way again with some of their latest models.
As for the values, I don't think you can compare the used value of a 40 year old watch to the price of a new one - its like saying a new BMW 318 costs more than an E30 M3 so the 318 must be better ...
And if someone can find me a like new Carrera 12 with box and papers for less than the price of a new Tag Carrera I'd like to know about it ...
/Carrera_12.jpg)
Until recently the only interesting watches they produced (IMO of course) were re-issues of the original Heuers - not really the work of an innovative company in my view. However, I do feel as though they are starting to find their way again with some of their latest models.
As for the values, I don't think you can compare the used value of a 40 year old watch to the price of a new one - its like saying a new BMW 318 costs more than an E30 M3 so the 318 must be better ...
And if someone can find me a like new Carrera 12 with box and papers for less than the price of a new Tag Carrera I'd like to know about it ...
Not sure I'd call it snobbishness but I tend to think of them as a triumph of marketing over substance.
Basically they're the one display in the jewellers window that for whatever reason just does nothing for me.
In saying that, it's obviously a very subjective thing as I'm typing this wearing an SS Submariner from the company that probably markets better than any other given how mass produced their watches are.
Basically they're the one display in the jewellers window that for whatever reason just does nothing for me.
In saying that, it's obviously a very subjective thing as I'm typing this wearing an SS Submariner from the company that probably markets better than any other given how mass produced their watches are.
Sometimes people get involved in the berating of products because it is seen as cool. For example now Top Gear say everyone who drives an Audi is a cock, guess what lots of people think it is so. People say the Boxster is the Porsche for those who cannot afford a proper Porsche, you get the idea.
I have a Tag Carrera and it is fantastic to own and to wear. I have had admiring comments and some who have said they aren't as good as Heure whilst wearing a fake Rolex.
If you like it buy one and to hell what other think, a watch should be for pleasure not for brownie points or to make a profit unless your are a dealer.
I have a Tag Carrera and it is fantastic to own and to wear. I have had admiring comments and some who have said they aren't as good as Heure whilst wearing a fake Rolex.
If you like it buy one and to hell what other think, a watch should be for pleasure not for brownie points or to make a profit unless your are a dealer.
spaximus said:
Sometimes people get involved in the berating of products because it is seen as cool. For example now Top Gear say everyone who drives an Audi is a cock, guess what lots of people think it is so. People say the Boxster is the Porsche for those who cannot afford a proper Porsche, you get the idea.
I have a Tag Carrera and it is fantastic to own and to wear. I have had admiring comments and some who have said they aren't as good as Heure whilst wearing a fake Rolex.
If you like it buy one and to hell what other think, a watch should be for pleasure not for brownie points or to make a profit unless your are a dealer.
Well said.I have a Tag Carrera and it is fantastic to own and to wear. I have had admiring comments and some who have said they aren't as good as Heure whilst wearing a fake Rolex.
If you like it buy one and to hell what other think, a watch should be for pleasure not for brownie points or to make a profit unless your are a dealer.
If you read my topic 'Which Omega' you'll see I've moved there from a TAG Carrera.
I have had three since the end of November, all faulty. Hands not lining up, chronograph hands getting stuck at 8 minutes whilst the second counter merrily spins around...
Nice watches, but I'm not convinced of the quality - all in my experience of course, and my two penneth!
I have had three since the end of November, all faulty. Hands not lining up, chronograph hands getting stuck at 8 minutes whilst the second counter merrily spins around...
Nice watches, but I'm not convinced of the quality - all in my experience of course, and my two penneth!
Edited by mozza42 on Monday 26th January 19:42
I have a black faced Carrera Chrono exactly as in the photo above and absolutely love the way it looks and feels. The design works as well with a suit as with Jeans and t-shirt and I know that I will never ever sell it.
But ...
Last year a replacement sapphire crystal cost me an amazing £695 and the watch came back with a sticking date wheel that took TAG in Manchester FIVE visits and 9 months out of 12 last year for them to fail to mend. In fairness they sent me a replacement strap as compensation but their refusal to give me a name and phone number to speak to about the sticking date left me feeling like a very unimportant part of their business - I'd have been happier with just a personal phone call. So I've accepted the sticking date as "unfixable", abandoned plans to collect a few more of the brand and my next purchase will be an Omega or IWC.
It's a great shame as my conclusion is great watch, terrible company.
dumbfunk
But ...
Last year a replacement sapphire crystal cost me an amazing £695 and the watch came back with a sticking date wheel that took TAG in Manchester FIVE visits and 9 months out of 12 last year for them to fail to mend. In fairness they sent me a replacement strap as compensation but their refusal to give me a name and phone number to speak to about the sticking date left me feeling like a very unimportant part of their business - I'd have been happier with just a personal phone call. So I've accepted the sticking date as "unfixable", abandoned plans to collect a few more of the brand and my next purchase will be an Omega or IWC.
It's a great shame as my conclusion is great watch, terrible company.
dumbfunk
I dont own a Carrera, but I do wear my modern Monaco most days. I have had that for a couple of years now and there have been no issues at all. I bought it from an overseas dealer, so saved a grand but basically had no warrenty so I'm pleased about that!!
Guess different experiences cloud a persons view but I think some TAG designs etc are great, admittedly the best ones do tend to be reissues of classic Heuer models. I don't understand snottyness about any watch - surely people just buy what they like?!
Guess different experiences cloud a persons view but I think some TAG designs etc are great, admittedly the best ones do tend to be reissues of classic Heuer models. I don't understand snottyness about any watch - surely people just buy what they like?!
Thanks for the replies: i think i get it now. It's a bit like Bentley/Lamborghini post VAG - the cars are still impressive, but they've gained some mass produced parts and lost a little of what made them special?
I really like the Carrera reissues above. I'm not sure the little Tag badge would stop me going for one that was cheaper than a vintage, watch newbie that i am.
Is there a timepiece beginner's guide that explains other watch things like the difference between quartz, automatic and manual? At the moment, i only have aesthetics to make judgements on, but i'd like to know more....
I really like the Carrera reissues above. I'm not sure the little Tag badge would stop me going for one that was cheaper than a vintage, watch newbie that i am.
Is there a timepiece beginner's guide that explains other watch things like the difference between quartz, automatic and manual? At the moment, i only have aesthetics to make judgements on, but i'd like to know more....
.I have recently sent a Tag Heuer Executive Chrono for a service and repair, basically it just kept stopping. They have sent it back saying they cannot do anything with it as it is an old model and they can no longer get parts, the watch is at the most, about 28 years old but reasonably rare ( I haven't seen another in England. I phoned them and was a bit surprised when they told me that they hadn't even opened it up, saying they would not want to be held responsible. I am afraid that I don't get it. I was also told that they would even have problems with watches more than ten years old!!!
At the same time I sent a 1976 Seiko Chrono for a good service, they tell me that due to the age it has to go to their specialist dept but, they can service/repair it at £180.00 I have had this watch since new so I said yes. What they also said was that if I thought it uneconomical to repair they would offer me a discount on a new model. What a difference, a proper service!!
Back to the Tag, does anyone know where I might be able to get this one serviced/repaired or do I just throw it away!!!
Vince
At the same time I sent a 1976 Seiko Chrono for a good service, they tell me that due to the age it has to go to their specialist dept but, they can service/repair it at £180.00 I have had this watch since new so I said yes. What they also said was that if I thought it uneconomical to repair they would offer me a discount on a new model. What a difference, a proper service!!
Back to the Tag, does anyone know where I might be able to get this one serviced/repaired or do I just throw it away!!!
Vince
Spice_Weasel said:
Lots of info and FAQs here:
http://www.timezone.com/library/wwatchfaq/wwatchfa...
Utterly brilliant link. There goes my lunch hour!http://www.timezone.com/library/wwatchfaq/wwatchfa...
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