I'm after a Tag Monaco Steve Mcqueen
Discussion
Since the topic is current… I'd recommend Heuerboy too, purely because you won't get a fake from him (and if you do, even the pros get caught occasionally, he'll replace with no messing).
The great thing about the McQueen watch is that there isn't a good replica out there, due to the movement configuration (piggyback D-D module, all such chronos are a problem for the counterfeiters since they only have the 7750 movement to work with). So you're a LOT less likely to get caught out with a fake than you are with, say, any of the three-register Carrera chronos, which themselves use 7750-type movements anyway and are available as 'very good' replicas.
However there are a few things you can definitely check out. The original 'vintage' watch (with the crown at 9) used the Heuer 'calibre 12' movement (not the 11 - not for the McQueen watches, if you definitely want a *McQueen* version) which didn't have any running seconds on the dial and, being the good-old Dubois-Dépraz chrono module piggybacked on an obsolete movement, won't be what you find in any 'replica'. That said, the original 'vintage' watch is bloody expensive these days.
If you haven't got £6k to spend (which is how much real ones go for IIRC) then it'll be one of the Tag re-issues… which use the D-D piggyback on an ETA 2892 type movement. Very common combo (as it's strong and good for a two-register chrono). They're different enough from the originals, which also were made in a different range of types, so I'm sure someone could try to pass off a fake as a 'special edition' or whatnot. But the two-register chrono movement isn't commonly available to the counterfeiters so you don't have so much of a problem with the McQueen watches. That said, anything goes on eBay.
If you don't want the aggro of becoming a complete nerd about your chosen watch, buy from Heuerboy and forget the fake problem. A useful review describing the differences between the original and the re-issue is here and that's only talking about the real watches. However the problems other watches have with 'replicas' getting too good isn't a problem for you, not with the 2-register McQueen Monaco. There simply aren't any good fakes out there.
The great thing about the McQueen watch is that there isn't a good replica out there, due to the movement configuration (piggyback D-D module, all such chronos are a problem for the counterfeiters since they only have the 7750 movement to work with). So you're a LOT less likely to get caught out with a fake than you are with, say, any of the three-register Carrera chronos, which themselves use 7750-type movements anyway and are available as 'very good' replicas.
However there are a few things you can definitely check out. The original 'vintage' watch (with the crown at 9) used the Heuer 'calibre 12' movement (not the 11 - not for the McQueen watches, if you definitely want a *McQueen* version) which didn't have any running seconds on the dial and, being the good-old Dubois-Dépraz chrono module piggybacked on an obsolete movement, won't be what you find in any 'replica'. That said, the original 'vintage' watch is bloody expensive these days.
If you haven't got £6k to spend (which is how much real ones go for IIRC) then it'll be one of the Tag re-issues… which use the D-D piggyback on an ETA 2892 type movement. Very common combo (as it's strong and good for a two-register chrono). They're different enough from the originals, which also were made in a different range of types, so I'm sure someone could try to pass off a fake as a 'special edition' or whatnot. But the two-register chrono movement isn't commonly available to the counterfeiters so you don't have so much of a problem with the McQueen watches. That said, anything goes on eBay.
If you don't want the aggro of becoming a complete nerd about your chosen watch, buy from Heuerboy and forget the fake problem. A useful review describing the differences between the original and the re-issue is here and that's only talking about the real watches. However the problems other watches have with 'replicas' getting too good isn't a problem for you, not with the 2-register McQueen Monaco. There simply aren't any good fakes out there.
http://www.watchrecon.com/?query=tag+monaco
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&go...
www.elitedealseeker.com
Gives you an idea of s/h price - remember, if getting it from the States then you may have duty imposed, Heurboy should be able to sort you out with no worries or duties etc; may be a bit more expensive but you'll have no bother.
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&go...
www.elitedealseeker.com
Gives you an idea of s/h price - remember, if getting it from the States then you may have duty imposed, Heurboy should be able to sort you out with no worries or duties etc; may be a bit more expensive but you'll have no bother.
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