Comparing Watches with Cars
Discussion
I was told on a thread I recently started that many consider a TAG Monaco to not be a quality watch, an expensive watch maybe, but not quality.
Being a PHer I know a decent amount about cars, but I know nothing about watches so it got me thinking....
Would comparing watches to makes of cars help me get my head around the plethora of brands out there all claiming to be producing high quality watches?
For example, would you say a TAG is an Audi of the watch world - well marketed with a solid and sporty perception, but watch just the same shared components and quality as lesser more affordable brands?
I appreciate there are a lot more brands of watches than cars, and it may be that you consider a watch to represent an individual car model, but as every metaphor I use is car related, this may help.
Being a PHer I know a decent amount about cars, but I know nothing about watches so it got me thinking....
Would comparing watches to makes of cars help me get my head around the plethora of brands out there all claiming to be producing high quality watches?
For example, would you say a TAG is an Audi of the watch world - well marketed with a solid and sporty perception, but watch just the same shared components and quality as lesser more affordable brands?
I appreciate there are a lot more brands of watches than cars, and it may be that you consider a watch to represent an individual car model, but as every metaphor I use is car related, this may help.
Tag has a bad name, not sure why as they are going to be the biggest in house producer of movements.
the 1887 and 1969 are all in house top end movements and I am sure you will see a 1969 Monaco some time soon.
I have 2 Monaco and love them both.
If any thing Tag is better than most ;-) and the one with the most motorsport heritage.
you can buy lot of higher end brands for big money just with basic ETA movements in them.
TAG now are on par with Rolex ,Omega with the 1887 and 1969, or with the 1969 maybe even better ?
the 1887 and 1969 are all in house top end movements and I am sure you will see a 1969 Monaco some time soon.
I have 2 Monaco and love them both.
If any thing Tag is better than most ;-) and the one with the most motorsport heritage.
you can buy lot of higher end brands for big money just with basic ETA movements in them.
TAG now are on par with Rolex ,Omega with the 1887 and 1969, or with the 1969 maybe even better ?
Edited by mrdemon on Saturday 22 March 10:07
mrdemon said:
If any thing Tag is better than most ;-) and the one with the most motorsport heritage.
Won't argue with the motorsport heritage bit, but that is trading largely on their historic models cased by Heuer and worn by the right people at the right time - Heuer disappeared and are nothing really to do with TAG group. A few million plastic TAG quartz watches sold by putting a sticker on an F1 car... yeah, that's some heritage right there!Too many threads with them falling to bits and lousy customer service. The 1887 'in-house' movement lie (Seiko based). It will take them years to build a decent reputation; suddenly becoming the 'largest producer of in-house movements' does not elevate you to being the top brand in the segment, or mean anything. Why would it? ETA's movements have been proven in their millions and over decades. TAG Group bang out some new gear and it's amazing already is it?
mrdemon said:
why, Daewoo don't make their own Engine but Tag make their own movments in house and the 1969 has great specs and is going to not be as thick as the Omega 9300
It's just much, much easier not to bother comparing watches to cars.TAG are beginning to make their own movements as the Swatch group have FORCED them to do it by restricting their movement supply - they've been sticking 100 dollar movements in 5 grand watches for a decade. They're not doing it because they're some super-awesome company.
A quick Google suggests they'll churn out 100,000 movements per year in their new facility; how does that make them the biggest movement manufacturer? ETA and Rolex make far more..? JLC make almost that!
I think last time I commented on one of these threads, somebody was a bit miffed with my Rolex/Porsche equivalence (and comments about them being the default choice for people with lots of money and no imagination).
I do think watch/car comparisons work pretty well, though.
Tag Heuer = BMW
Omega = Audi
Rolex = Mercedes (or Porsche)
Patek = Rolls Royce
Panerai = Maserati (I know Ferrari would be a more obvious choice)
Casio = Ford
Saying Tag = Daewoo feels a bit harsh. Surely Seiko = Daewoo is closer? Cheap but decent quality watches.
No idea what my Volvo-equivalent watch would be though - doubt my Panerai matches it!
I do think watch/car comparisons work pretty well, though.
Tag Heuer = BMW
Omega = Audi
Rolex = Mercedes (or Porsche)
Patek = Rolls Royce
Panerai = Maserati (I know Ferrari would be a more obvious choice)
Casio = Ford
Saying Tag = Daewoo feels a bit harsh. Surely Seiko = Daewoo is closer? Cheap but decent quality watches.
No idea what my Volvo-equivalent watch would be though - doubt my Panerai matches it!
Zigster said:
Saying Tag = Daewoo feels a bit harsh. Surely Seiko = Daewoo is closer? Cheap but decent quality watches.
Daewoo, in this country at least, started out in life as re-frocked previous generation Vauxhalls ie someone else's old technology that was already well passed its use by date - that's a different world to Seiko.Toyota would probably be a better comparison with Grand Seiko being likened to Toyota's Lexus, however it's all a little subjective.
Zigster said:
I think last time I commented on one of these threads, somebody was a bit miffed with my Rolex/Porsche equivalence (and comments about them being the default choice for people with lots of money and no imagination).
When all's said and done, that's probably the most accurate car-to-watch comparison that can be made. Both are the default choice for those who know nothing and also for the default choice for those who a great deal!Consequently, both companies are in very rude health!
mrdemon said:
Tag has a bad name, not sure why as they are going to be the biggest in house producer of movements.
the 1887 and 1969 are all in house top end movements and I am sure you will see a 1969 Monaco some time soon.
Whose house was the 1887 designed in?the 1887 and 1969 are all in house top end movements and I am sure you will see a 1969 Monaco some time soon.
Let's say TAG = Lotus, nice cars with Japanese engines.
in the end though Tag were great in the beginning as Heuer (great partner ship) and had early Auto chronographs when no one else did.
and now make in house movements.
Some of the Tag re issues and ltd ed have been stuning imo.
what ever people think they are a premium brand now and can match what others are making.
I am a Omega Fanboy but the 9300 is poor, the PO crono is a stupid watch at close to 2cm thick.
Rolex has a bad image and you get called a cock hence why people say it's like the Porsche brand, also imo they are not all that for 6k
the bracelet is crap and has only just been changed to some thing worth the price tag.
I own all the main hi street brands now(just to see what was what) and still think the SMPC is the best value for money premium watch and seems cheap vs a modern Tag or Rolex. And it looks like they now have a new clasp to shut the Rolex glidelock owners up :-)
2Nd hand new shape Rolex are just not moving very well as can been seen on TZ and on Ebay I have watches on ebay watch list which seem cheap but have been relisted 4 or 5 times. No one seems to be buying the new ones and the older ones are now more expensive 2nd hand than the new ones.
a basic Tag Carrera 1887 cannot be faulted much really esp. at the discount prices you can buy one for.
and the 1969 will be slimmer again which is nice.
when you look at IWC or Panerai watch prices you also have to wonder if they are value for money really !!!!
the issue for me is the trend still to go even bigger where some of the nice watches are 43mm only now through out all the manufacturers or this ceramic fad. or in omega case 5k ltd ed speedmasters !!
I some times think sell up and just buy a 36mm Rolex Exploer 1, it seems to cover all bases.
Or go back to my white 36mm Omega smp, it served me well for the last 15 years, why even change !
I had have a quick watch fettish buying spree and after 20k in think most of it is hype.
just another expensive hobby at the end of the day, and one where movement snobs get in the way of looks which in the end 80% of people only care about.
As for paying 10k more for some red lettering on the same watch at 3.5k i'am out :-)
and now make in house movements.
Some of the Tag re issues and ltd ed have been stuning imo.
what ever people think they are a premium brand now and can match what others are making.
I am a Omega Fanboy but the 9300 is poor, the PO crono is a stupid watch at close to 2cm thick.
Rolex has a bad image and you get called a cock hence why people say it's like the Porsche brand, also imo they are not all that for 6k
the bracelet is crap and has only just been changed to some thing worth the price tag.
I own all the main hi street brands now(just to see what was what) and still think the SMPC is the best value for money premium watch and seems cheap vs a modern Tag or Rolex. And it looks like they now have a new clasp to shut the Rolex glidelock owners up :-)
2Nd hand new shape Rolex are just not moving very well as can been seen on TZ and on Ebay I have watches on ebay watch list which seem cheap but have been relisted 4 or 5 times. No one seems to be buying the new ones and the older ones are now more expensive 2nd hand than the new ones.
a basic Tag Carrera 1887 cannot be faulted much really esp. at the discount prices you can buy one for.
and the 1969 will be slimmer again which is nice.
when you look at IWC or Panerai watch prices you also have to wonder if they are value for money really !!!!
the issue for me is the trend still to go even bigger where some of the nice watches are 43mm only now through out all the manufacturers or this ceramic fad. or in omega case 5k ltd ed speedmasters !!
I some times think sell up and just buy a 36mm Rolex Exploer 1, it seems to cover all bases.
Or go back to my white 36mm Omega smp, it served me well for the last 15 years, why even change !
I had have a quick watch fettish buying spree and after 20k in think most of it is hype.
just another expensive hobby at the end of the day, and one where movement snobs get in the way of looks which in the end 80% of people only care about.
As for paying 10k more for some red lettering on the same watch at 3.5k i'am out :-)
I should have kept off watch forums, I have been 100% happy wearing my white SMP.
none of these new items make me any more happy, in fact now you have to decide which to wear and the dates always wrong.
the keep up costs are now large, I have to have better insurance to keep them covered, a safe to keep them in and service costs £500 a pop.
madness.....
in fact I am going to sell my IWC today, one of the Monaco's and the Black Bay.
none of these new items make me any more happy, in fact now you have to decide which to wear and the dates always wrong.
the keep up costs are now large, I have to have better insurance to keep them covered, a safe to keep them in and service costs £500 a pop.
madness.....
in fact I am going to sell my IWC today, one of the Monaco's and the Black Bay.
JRewing said:
Talking about Rolex bracelets, I have no problem with the older ones. I find them just as durable and comfortable as any other bracelets out there.
but they are not worth the money you paid for it vs what else was available at the time for 1/2 the price.quite poor quality imo hence why they felt the need to change it.
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