Considering Tag F1, Aquaracer or similar, r'dations please

[Mario149]

Hi all, first time on this part of PH

My battered Citizen Eco-Drive World Chronograph watch is giving up the ghost, so needs replacing after 7 years. Thinking I might go with something higher end this time so that it lasts indefinitely. I'm considering a TAG Heuer F1 or maybe an Aquaracer. Or equally anything else of similar quality and price.

Pros/cons of each? General thoughts/recommendations?

I'm not dying in a ditch over particular features, but I do like the "self-charging" and radio controlled time with timezone settings on my Citizen. Chronograph is nice but not essential.

I understand that ~25% discount may be achievable in a shop (when they potentially reopen in June) and I'm in no rush so could take it slow.

[Barchettaman]

Not a colossal amount of love for TAG Heuer on here, I rather like them but feel there is perhaps better value elsewhere.

Are you looking for an automatic or a high-end quartz watch?

Bear in mind that an automatic chronograph will likely be a chunky thing.

If you would consider pre-owned TAGs generally don’t hold their value particularly well, so maybe there’s a bargain to be had.

What’s your budget?

[Mario149]

Barchettaman said:

Not a colossal amount of love for TAG Heuer on here, I rather like them but feel there is perhaps better value elsewhere.

Are you looking for an automatic or a high-end quartz watch?

I like the idea of an automatic watch - as I said, on my Citizen, in combo with the fact that it is radio-controlled makes it very convenient. Don't have to set it (apart from changing time zone when travelling) and don't have to worry about batteries.

BUT, I'm not wedded to all that. I'm just trying to get potential options from people with more knowledge than myself

Barchettaman said:

Bear in mind that an automatic chronograph will likely be a chunky thing.

My Citizen is about 1cm thick and weighs about 170g with its bracelet, so as long as it's similar/less than that, it won't bother me!

Barchettaman said:

If you would consider pre-owned TAGs generally don’t hold their value particularly well, so maybe there’s a bargain to be had.

What’s your budget?

I'd say a max of £1400 (after any discounts etc) for something I really liked. Would prefer to keep it nearer £1k if poss. I've got a sentimental thing for Tags as my late father had one which he only used to put on when our summer hols started which was a fantastic time when I was a child (away from the sea he wore a Rolex, couldn't tell you which one). So just the concept of a Tag brings back good memories for me.

That said, I wouldn't buy one just for that, but it certainly nudges me in their direction. Hope that makes sense!

Would consider pre-owned, don't mind a few marks etc, but wouldn't want to buy something that looks as battered as my Citizen (see below, and I'm reasonably careful) - I assume the higher end watches use metal that doesn't scratch/dent as easily?

[Geffg]

I’m a fan of tag too. Just bought my last one in February. Bought the formula 1 chronograph red bull edition. You’ll definitely be able to get a discount. Some people don’t like them and say they lose value etc but I don’t buy mine thinking I’m going to sell it etc. I buy it because I like it.

[Geffg]

Be a good time to buy one once shops re open since they reckon there will be sales everywhere

[Mario149]

Geffg said:

I’m a fan of tag too. Just bought my last one in February. Bought the formula 1 chronograph red bull edition. You’ll definitely be able to get a discount. Some people don’t like them and say they lose value etc but I don’t buy mine thinking I’m going to sell it etc. I buy it because I like it.

Good to know. I'm def not a collector or anything, and I wouldn't plan to sell it, would be something to wear every day and enjoy.

[Muzzer79]

TAG's do indeed get a lot of flak on here but it's what you want.

I have an Aquaracer (my first "expensive" watch) and I'd never get rid of it for sentimental reasons

However, a word of caution if you're expecting it to last "indefinitely" In my experience certainly, they're just not built like that.

A watch can always be repaired but it's not hewn from granite. The crownwheel failed on mine for example after a few years.

[Mario149]

Muzzer79 said:

However, a word of caution if you're expecting it to last "indefinitely" In my experience certainly, they're just not built like that.

A watch can always be repaired but it's not hewn from granite. The crownwheel failed on mine for example after a few years.

Noted, thanks

[Baldchap]

To echo the above, unless you absolutely have to have a spanker, a new Tag doesn't make much sense as they seem to depreciate very heavily for some reason.

Somewhere like Watchfinder will give you a view to what's out there and for how much. Typically with any of the online sellers the condition will be noted but you'll find the majority are as new.

[T6 vanman]

I think a lot of people see Tag as having a bit of a 'council' - 'Barry' image problem rather than the actual quality / build of the watches themselves,
The owners of Tag Heuer (LVMH) also own Zenith & Hublot watches
Both F1 & Aquaracer are a nice quality piece at their pricepoint, as of the 'Big brand' watch makers there are subtle in being at the cheaper end of the scale with Omega & Breitling beginning at over £2k,
The actual internals are standard easily maintained ETA internals, These movements are fitted to many <>£1k watches,

Between 800~900 gets you this … as advertised on the telly - 5yr warranty
https://www.christopherward.co.uk/c60-sapphire-blu...

I'd spend some time looking at this site
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/

You wont do badly by getting a Tag but you may find a Ball, Certina, Longines, Oris, Rado, Sinn, Tissot, all fitted with a similar internals … or even a higher end Seiko (Obv their own movements) that hit's the oooh I like that mark,

Welcome to the watch corner

[Mario149]

Baldchap said:

To echo the above, unless you absolutely have to have a spanker, a new Tag doesn't make much sense as they seem to depreciate very heavily for some reason.

Somewhere like Watchfinder will give you a view to what's out there and for how much. Typically with any of the online sellers the condition will be noted but you'll find the majority are as new.

Good to know. I've looked at watchfinder a bit today and have noticed a couple of interesting things with Tags:

1) The used prices of things like Aquaracers/F1s are about 20% off their new prices (roughly). Which seems a bit odd if you can haggle a 20% discount from a shop anyway. Or do online places take offers as well?

2) The Carreras, while significantly more expensive new that Aquaracers, seem to fall to a similar price as the Aquaracers when second hand i.e. lose much more of their value

[Mario149]

T6 vanman said:

I think a lot of people see Tag as having a bit of a 'council' - 'Barry' image problem rather than the actual quality / build of the watches themselves,
The owners of Tag Heuer (LVMH) also own Zenith & Hublot watches
Both F1 & Aquaracer are a nice quality piece at their pricepoint, as of the 'Big brand' watch makers there are subtle in being at the cheaper end of the scale with Omega & Breitling beginning at over £2k,
The actual internals are standard easily maintained ETA internals, These movements are fitted to many <>£1k watches,

Between 800~900 gets you this … as advertised on the telly - 5yr warranty
https://www.christopherward.co.uk/c60-sapphire-blu...

I'd spend some time looking at this site
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/

You wont do badly by getting a Tag but you may find a Ball, Certina, Longines, Oris, Rado, Sinn, Tissot, all fitted with a similar internals … or even a higher end Seiko (Obv their own movements) that hit's the oooh I like that mark,

Thanks, will take a look A mate actually pointed me in the direction of Christopher Ward as well

T6 vanman said:

Welcome to the watch corner

[Brads67]

Not a massive Tag fan but I do own an F1 which has proved pretty tough. They are far better than Christopher Ward though. They are not that great in the flesh.

For that budget, an F1 or have a look at Sinn, Raymond Weil etc etc

[Mario149]

Hmmm....have done some research and I'm now a bit torn. The only thing I'm pretty certain of is that I want an automatic.

I still like the idea of a Tag F1 like this which can be had for <£1,500 on chrono24:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/TAG-Heuer-Formula-1-4...



or an Aquaracer like this, again for <£1,500:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/TAG-Heuer-Aquaracer-C...


But then I see that for similar price, you can get a Longines with chrono, which seem to review better than the equivalent Tags, soooo...

...I do like this Hydroconquest a lot, the reviews seem good, and it appears they can be had for <£1400 on chrono24:
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/longines...



But then this also floats my boat and is a lot cheaper than the 3 above but still looks nice:
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/certina-...



Then, just to confuse things even more, I'm thinking I could probably get my Citizen tidied up/fixed which keeps me covered in the "big metal sporty/chrono watch with bracelet" genre, meaning I could go for something rather different like this which I also like...
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/oris-wat...


or this:

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/oris-wat...



So basically, I've now just managed to confuse myself

Oh, and I forgot to mention that virtually my friends replying to a similar question I put on FB are telling me to magic up an extra £1.5k or so and buy pretty much any used Omega instead as it's clearly the best choice. Presumably they're the MX-5 of high end Swiss watches?!

[Brads67]

To be honest, every watch you have posted above is a good looker. I'd simply pick the one that you want to wear the most.

Don't sweat the money or residuals just buy it to wear it.

That F1 looks great as does that Oris ! lol.

[T6 vanman]

I have the non chrono version of the Certina and it's a very nice watch, The only sign of cheapness being the bracelet clamp being a nasty pressed item, but then that is a £500 watch ….. depends if you WANT to spend x2~x3 of that on your watch?
I'd also give thoughts on getting the Oris Aquis on a bracelet and buying the leather strap as an extra, that way you can have two looks,

Your FB friends are right that a Seamaster is a compelling argument

When did the price raise to £3,800??
https://www.horando.de/luxusuhren/sofort-verfuegba...

Breitling for £2,250
https://www.horando.de/en/luxury-watches/breitling...

[blue_haddock]

Mario149 said:

1) The used prices of things like Aquaracers/F1s are about 20% off their new prices (roughly). Which seems a bit odd if you can haggle a 20% discount from a shop anyway. Or do online places take offers as well?

20% Realistically is the minimum discount to aim for. I purchased mine via an AD and got 40% off. It was on their website as a clearance model though.

They do get some stick from watch snobs, especially quartz models but I like it and purchased as my 40th birthday present to myself so doubt I'll ever sell it.

I could almost certainly sell it for more than what I paid for it.

[romeodelta]

I have a TAG F1 and Longines Auto similar to the one you posted above.

Both are good options as a first 'nice' watch.

There is a TAG Carrera that looks quite similar to your Citizen that you will probably like, used, within budget.

Just an example chosen at random: https://www.chrono24.com.au/tagheuer/carrera-calib...

Happy hunting.

[AJB88]

TAG have an outlet at Bicester village if your local? I saw a TAG In Goldsmiths MK was about £2550, same one at Bicester was £1220 or similar cant remember the exact prices.

[Mario149]

AJB88 said:

TAG have an outlet at Bicester village if your local? I saw a TAG In Goldsmiths MK was about £2550, same one at Bicester was £1220 or similar cant remember the exact prices.

It's about 90 mins away, so not too far. Just had a look at their website and although there's only a few watches listed right now, seems like 40% is not unusual.