Heuer purchase advice

[Trev450]

I'm considering purchasing a Heuer chronograph and would welcome some advice on the ones I've linked below. Which one do you think is likely to be the preferred purchase and hold its value the best? It will be for occasional wear.

http://www.chronoaddict.com/watches/show/id/142

http://www.chrono24.co.uk/heuer/carrera-45-calibre...

http://www.chronoaddict.com/watches/show/id/33

Edited by Trev450 on Wednesday 2nd March 12:18

[Powerkiter]

I'm not associated with these guys in anyway but have you seen what they have to offer. Not sure where you are but sometimes better to see these things 'in the flesh' and go from there.

http://www.vintageheuer.com/watches-accessories/

Not sure if anybody on here has any experience of purchasing from them.

[Trev450]

Thanks for the link. They have one or two on there that I like the look of.

[Podie]

Do your research - a friend of mine bought a "rare" Autavia that turned out to be various mixed up bits and bobs on one watch.

Stick to reputable sources. For the avoidance of doubt, I'm not saying those on the thread are not reputable.

[andy tims]

Nic Green at Chronomatic.com is worth contacting

The last one linked by the OP is not a pukka Heuer in case you didn't know. It's the Tag Heuer Re-Edition and therefore less likely to be an appreciating asset.

Edited by andy tims on Wednesday 2nd March 13:38

[Trev450]

andy tims said:

Nic Green at Chronomatic.com is worth contacting

The last one linked by the OP is not a pukka Heuer in case you didn't know. It's the Tag Heuer Re-Edition and therefore less likely to be an appreciating asset.

Edited by andy tims on Wednesday 2nd March 13:38

Thanks for the heads-up on the re-edition models.

As an aside, I've heard that the gold plated versions are less desireable than plain steel. Anyone know anything about this?

[ed335d]

Another vote for Nic.

Gold plated watches do tend to be less popular and if you buy through a dealer, you're likely to lose a bit if you sell it privately or back to a dealer (if it's GP or not)

The vintage Carreras are fairly small.

What's the budget?

[Trev450]

Like cars, the budget has grown from what I originally was thinking of spending. I'm looking at £2k maximum as I already own a number of relatively expensive watches and this one will be for occasional use.

I'm ok with the size which I believe to be 36mm as a cuple of my others are larger.

[nikaiyo2]

Worth a read... http://www.chronomaddox.com/heuer/articles/carrera...

Don't take this the wrong way but really really research the living daylights out of this, there are so so many Frankens and fakes kicking about, from there you will get an idea of the values between steel and gold.
Gold is really out of style at the moment so it would seem reasonable that they are less £, saying that gold will come back and be the thing everyone must have, so maybe the best long term value? Especially if you like the style.
I think the re-issue is a great watch and would not discount it unless you really want vintage, they have lemania 1861 (same as a speed master pro) movements that are nicely finished, I would imagine an easier watch to live with long term?

[DH01]

A poor iPhone pic of mine that I've owned since the eighties.

Can be lovely, classically understated watches or blingy multicoloured things ( Autavias etc). As previously stated be very careful, a huge amount of these are not quite what they seem, frankenwatches are common.

[GCH]

Absolutely nothing wrong with the re-issues - rock solid reliability. Also far less chance of a franken or outright fake, of which there are many around of the originals - if you are set on an original, then do your research and know exactly what you are buying

[Trev450]

I'm looking into this one http://www.chrono24.co.uk/heuer/carrera-45-calibre...
Have contacted the seller with a few questions so shall wait to hear back.
Thanks for the advice so far - please keep it coming.

[andy tims]

GCH said:

Absolutely nothing wrong with the re-issues - rock solid reliability. Also far less chance of a franken or outright fake, of which there are many around of the originals

True

I didn't intend to imply they were not good watches, I've had one myself and was very pleased with it.

Lost money when I sold it though.

[GC8]

I decided not to start buying Heuer chronographs as they were too expensive - when they were approximately 20% of their current values! I occupied myself with stopwatches instead.