Thoughts on Tag Heuer- considering this piece

If you like it go for it, but sounds like you are in the right frame of mind, which is do the homework. I have a recent Tag Monaco and have had no issues with it. As a whole modern day Tags are very nice watches, just over priced comparatively and folks don’t care about their marketing tactics. If you can get past that, cool watches. 

For example, this watch can be had on a bracelet is already trading on the grey market for less than $2200.  I would time deals. eBay regularly has 10-15% off coupons for watches over $2k, which may get this for $1800.  Yes, you can still probably get a stronger spec watch for that price, but a new Tag at that price is a solid deal. I look forward to when this one is on the market long enough to get a steal:

Yeah, that red dial is killer! That‘s a gorgeous piece. You hit on my biggest issue- cost. I feel like what they are asking is overpriced compared to similar watches from the likes of Tissot, Longines, Seiko, etc. I think Tag is overpricing due to their name and history. I do not plan to spend MSRP for that guy but I think in the $2000-$2100 ballpark I would be okay with it

Check out the link I shared, they are reputable seller. You may be able to ping them via their actual store website and get a better deal directly since you would be saving them the ebay and paypal fees. I have done that in the past and usually get 10-20% off. Just mention you saw their ebay store posting and if they could take a couple hundred off if you buy directly through the store.

That’s a good idea. I’ve never thought about doing that.

I just got my used 2020 Aquaracer for under $1000, which I could actually turn for a profit since I've seen the same watch going for $1400 or more. Tags are great watches, despite the reputation in the hype watch community. What you want also is what I want next as far as Tag goes. I love that watch! I also have a 1986 Tag professional 3000 with a different vibe, but I love it too. 

My first two big watch purchases were Tags, a Carrera and a bit later an Aquaracer around 2006 or so.  Both are still working flawlessly.  My wife wears them more these days, but they've held up rather nicely.  I really like the one you're looking at, good luck with the hunt.

Shiny ! The caliber is not really decorated but you can see it. A good choice for an everyday. 

On the plus side: There is nothing about this dial that can offend anyone.

On the minus side: I fail to see what this watch does to merit a +2KUS$ price.

I like the Carrera line. The watches look good in my opinion and are quite versatile. The finishing is a step up over more affordable brands like Seiko or Citizen. TAG basically uses stock third-party movements, but the ones they use have a proven track record of reliability. You can also usually get a discount. I think the bashing of TAG is not really warranted. They make some good pieces. I personally prefer some of the other dials on the Carrera but I think these are a great buy. 

Tags are cool! One of the best parts is that they have them at like Macy's, so you can go see them in person. Of course there exists that horribly thrilling temptation of buying it right oh the spot. Bruce Willis wears a tag in die hard. 

This is a high quality watch!  It is a better build than the Seiko or Tissot you mention, but is a bit pricey. In my estimation, if you can get it new for near $2000, it will be well worth it!

BTW, that is my favorite Tag 3 hander. 

I love the Tag Heuer brand. Especially the Carrera models. I was shopping for the same watch❤️at TH boutique after watching The Gray Man too!! But I bought the Carrera Las Vegas boutique limited edition instead.

You have one!

Yeah, the blue dial is a stunner but I prefer the versatility of a silver dial.

I agree with you!

I love that Aquaracer! Very underrated, in my opinion. That bezel is so cool, and the hour markers, too! It’s just a very well thought out and put together design. Nothing looks out of place or questionable, which is pretty tough to do. You got it for a steal!

Silver is probably the most versatile dial color in my opinion. You can put any color strap on it and it will work. The first mechanical watch I bought (a now vintage Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date) had a silver dial. If you are looking for versatility than silver is a great way to go. 

I like this style. I have a seiko that looks similar to this Tag:

I love my Tag Heuer Autavia! At the end of the day you pay for 3 things:

1. Design - this is subjective, and you clearly love the design of the Carrera. For good reason, too! It’s gorgeous.
2. Build quality - the build quality is fantastic. I’m positive you can get your hands on a Carrera or Aquaracer in a store near you. See for yourself! I’m sure you’ll be impressed.
3. Specs - Standard Swiss movement which is still 4Hz, reliable, and great for servicing. I like to compare this to driving a BMW or Porsche but having the maintenance costs and worries of a Toyota Camry owner.

I think you’re on the right track for buying used or gray market, though. If you can save over $1k, why wouldn’t you?

I look forward to seeing wrist shots once you get it!

I feel bad for people who don't live near major metro areas with authorized dealers for the watch brands we all look at online. There is no substitute for seeing a watch in person and trying it on. Especially for expensive purchases, I can't imagine buying a $5-$10k watch without ever seeing it in person and trying it on.  I've tried watches on that I  thought I would like and hated them. Also tried on a watch that I thought was mediocre online and loved it in person. 

This is simple. You like you buy. Don’t get too hung up on price if you plan to keep it.  If your buying from and AD ask if they are willing to apply a discount, most will so you might get 10% off. Then enjoy. This is my Heuer, it’s often referred to as iconic as is the Carrera. Ignore the rubbish and the snobbery, most of the bad press is linked to a bad piece of marketing where the company lied about a movement being in-house when it wasn’t however this was not the case for the majority of the other movements however the damage was done.  No one ever talks about Rolex using the Zenith el primero for the Daytona until 2012 (think Steve McQueen‘s world record watch at auction without a Rolex movement) or the so called holly trinity that all used JLC movement’s in the past (careful in the vintage world thinking your buying a Patek thoroughbred you might be buying a JLC in a posh dress.  The only rule to follow is if you like it get it, trust your instinct.

I like the look of some of the Tag watches - my dad owned one. This particular one that you like seems very clean, simple, and elegant. I have bought several lightly used watches and have been very happy with the purchases. Most watch collectors have multiple watches so the one they sell has been in rotation and probably hasn't been used in a while, which is why they are selling it. 

The Carerra is an excellent watch. I don’t think it will disappoint you. I have two Tags and think the world of them. I say go for it (But I’m a bad influence).

I bought my Carrera in august, and I absolutely love it. Although a different reference than the one you are considering. It feels high quality and well built. The only issue I've had with mine is that it had a slight misalignment of the chapterring. I sent it in for a checkup and should have it back in january. My advice is to check for this if you have the chance, as I failed to do so at the AD. Dispite that I have no regrets buying it, and would do it again.😊 It's a beautiful watch and I say go for it if you love it!

Don't care about other bad back talking about Tag Heuer. Usually they have no clue and want to sound like an "expert".

"Tag Heuer? Oh dude...that's trash! Buy XY..."

Mostly they are repeating statements of others like a parrot. Their watches they buy are also usually watches they think other people would expect and could less critics of others. They also have mostly no own opinion.

But you do have an opinion regardless to the b.s. talking of others.

Tag heuer makes great watches with great designs. For much more reasonable prices.

I also love the Carrera and it's on my list.

But also the aquaracer or autavia.

And thanks to the bad talkings the pre owned market prices are even better.

I’ve been buying TAG Heuer for over 20 years and they get an unfair wrap. I have 3 in my current collectio, including a Carrera Chronograph and it’s an amazing watch. It’s the only watch in my collection that I would never part with.
 

Don’t be put off by the RRP, I’ve saved on average around $1k on each of my TAG’s just by buying at the right time. The last one I purchased was 30mins before closing time on the last working day of the month when they are trying to hit sales targets. You can save big $$$ on most brands by picking the right time to purchase, so my advice would simply be: don’t be in a hurry and pull the pin when the best deal presents itself. 

And that silver dial is gorgeou. You could wear that in many different situations.

I have a previous generation Carrera Twin-Time which was obtained in about the 2018-19 timeframe:

It's a great watch.  The only 'QC issue' that I have encountered is one which is apparently endemic to the 2893-2 and derived GMT movements -- the GMT hand is not perfectly aligned.  Other than that, I have no complaints whatsoever.  What you will get with a TAG is a piece with a standard off-the-shelf ETA/Sellita movement that has been highly finished/decorated.  I'd place the quality as on-par with and/or slightly better than Longines.

One thing that I have noticed with the current generation Carreras (with the date at the six o'clock position), however, is that the six o'clock marker doesn't seem to sit in the exact center of the date aperture.  It always seems to sit slightly left of center.  Even in the rendering above, it looks that way to my eyes.

With TAG, you should be able to obtain a 15% discount from MSRP at the AD without issue.

I still think it's your six o'clock marker that is set just left of center -- not the chapter ring.

Yes, it might be. But I'm still waiting to hear back from the brand. And before I know more I just thought I'd tell here what I told the AD when I handed it in for service. Either way it's a dial issue. I will make a post about it when I get some news.

• Go on, do it, it would be rude not to. You won’t regret it, it’s lovely looking watch, really stylish. You won’t be able to stop thinking about it until you buy it. 😀

• By the way, I’m on my third Tag, first one 30 years old and the second 20 years, still going strong my latest purchase was the Autavia flyback. All solid watches.

• Ignore the haters, wearing a tag is cool.