Omega Speedmaster or Tag Formula 1 - Automatics

[MagicalTrevor]

I was looking at watches in London yesterday, mainly because I could see a wider range. I'm pretty settled on either the Omega Speedmaster Date (323.30.40.40.06.001)
http://www.omegawatches.com/collection/speedmaster...

or a Tag Heuer Formula 1 (CAU2010.BA0873).
http://www.tagheuer.com/html.php/int-en/luxury-wat...

I'm trying to find the best price on the Omega (retail £2200) but the Tag is around £1900 from swisswatchesdirect.co.uk

Any thoughts on either of those watches? My absolute max budget is £2k.

[ecain63]

Speedmaster all the way. Tag are overpriced and overrated (even though i have an F1 Gulf). At least with the Speedy you know what you are getting.

[muckymotor]

I've owned a Speedmaster date and it's a very nice watch, certainly nicer than the TAG in my opinion. It might not be important to you but the Omega should hold its value much better too.

[MagicalTrevor]

It'll be a birthday present from my Wife so won't be sold but retaining value is probably a good consideration anyway.

My preference is certainly the Omega

[BrewsterBear]

Of those two I'd go with the Speedy too. TAG get a hard time here for a number of reasons. Bought in movements and snobbery some of it. I own a TAG Silverstone and an Omega PO, but I do think the F1 is a bit chavvy.

[MagicalTrevor]

After having a good look around I'm suspect the model I'm after is discontinued as it's not available anywhere. The one in the shop was the blue version which is lovely, although the more subtle black or grey was preferred

[strummerville]

I've got the older version of the Speedmaster Date (with a chrome bezel) and I've been very satisfied with it.

[jonny70]

MagicalTrevor said:

I'm trying to find the best price on the Omega (retail £2200) but the Tag is around £1900 from swisswatchesdirect.co.uk

Any thoughts on either of those watches? My absolute max budget is £2k.

Which jeweller did you go to ? (depending on which one and where will depend on discount)

I think the Omega may of been discontinued and upgraded to a newer model .You should be able to still find it instock at some jewellers.

I would go for the Omega over the TAG.

I bought a TAG formula one quartz new for about £500 3 years ago, its an entry level TAG and the bracelet isnt great .In the past 3 years TAG has jacked up their prices big time esp on the Formula 1 range and its now over a grand for a basic time only quartz. The higher end TAGS like Carreras are made well but the entry level Formuala 1's are well over priced and poor quality for the money (compare it side by side a new Oris @ 31k to a tAG formula 1 @ £1k)

I would definitely go for the Omega.

Or what about this? (with 20% discount)

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Breitling-Superocean-4...

[JRewing]

If you can get the Omega for that price, it has to be the Omega.

[MagicalTrevor]

This was the Omega shop on the corner of Oxford St near Bond St tube.

Problem is, that price was for the blue version (or white) and they didn't have black in stock.

I'm tempted to get in touch about the blue one!

[JD84]

Get the Omega, and this is from someone who owns 2 Tags a Link and a Grand Carrera, the speedmaster is vastly superior to a Tag Formula 1, Formula 1 is the base model in the Tag range.

2k for a speedmaster is a bargain and the equivalent Tag is a Carrera Chronograph and your unlikely to see change from 3k.

Really don't get the Formula 1.

[jonny70]

MagicalTrevor said:

This was the Omega shop on the corner of Oxford St near Bond St tube.

Problem is, that price was for the blue version (or white) and they didn't have black in stock.

I'm tempted to get in touch about the blue one!

speak to Dom Hackett on here , he should be able to source you a nice new one with a decent discount

Omega boutique very unlikely to give discount.

[jonny70]

[quote=JD8Really don't get the Formula 1.
[/quote]

This is because its a "cheap tag" people want a TAG and this one is the cheapest. TAG do so much marketing that its an "in brand " for those that know its nothing about watches but want an "in watch" which is the right brand thats; its Tag Heuer .So they have a low priced watch to capture that market , I think the Formula 1 range is one of tAG's best sellers , well it makes sense you will sell more £1000 watches than you will £3000 watches.

[RicksAlfas]

I got my Speedmaster Date from Mr Hackett a couple of years ago.
Very pleased with the watch, and Dom's service!

[GC8]

I wouldn't entertain an F1 at that sort of price. When they were introduced they cost £100 and they were rubbish value then, too!

Since T.A.G. sold the firm to LVHM the prices have risen and the quality and value have plummeted. That their base range is priced similarly to an Omega astounds me: have I misread or misunderstood, because I have a number of watches insured against manual Speedmasters and their price has doubled from £1800 to approaching £4,000 since 2008?

Edited by GC8 on Monday 10th February 17:23

[GC8]

The cheapest Speedmaster looks like £2,800-odd to me.

[MagicalTrevor]

GC8 said:

The cheapest Speedmaster looks like £2,800-odd to me.

You're right, I've done a lot of digging trying to find the other colour options for the Omega and I've found it's discontinued hence the price at the retail store.

It's a little earlier than I was expecting to buy but I might see if I can manage it. A Speedmaster @£2.2k is a bargain it seems

[HarrySmash]

WoS sell a Speedmaster date for £2,200:

http://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/brands/ome...

Or if you can find one in stock (as this model has now been discontinued) and can stretch to £2,500; how about a Seamaster:

http://www.fraserhart.co.uk/brands/omega.html?dir=...

Edited by HarrySmash on Monday 10th February 18:03

[GC8]

A good price and a far, far better buy than the TAG Heuer that you mentioned. I say that as a TAG Heuer owner too and I am reluctant to join in with the trite and unknowledgeable knocking which usually accompanies threads like this.

TAG Heuer weren't bad. Their quality was high and their prices weren't anything like as speculative as they are now. Heuer has had three incarnations now: Heuer, who were great but failed along with the rest of the Swiss watch industry; TAG Heuer, renamed when Techniques d'Avant Garde bought the company and not bad at all; and finally TAG Heuer as they are now, bought by LVHM in 1999 - no coincidence that this is when the rot appears to have set in. Questionable quality for the price and very questionable value.

[MagicalTrevor]

HarrySmash said:

WoS sell a Speedmaster date for £2,200:

http://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/brands/ome...

Good find! Alas it's my least favourite colour