Why Tag Heuer?

Dont have a lot of experience with the brand though I am familiar with it. I don't really have interest in adding one. I have an idea of the perception of the brand. What's your feedback?

Reply
·

I think they have some great designs and are a great entry level luxury option. IMO much of the snobbery is unjustified

·

Well, I sincerely believe that they are very good watches, well built and good materials, I love Tag Heuer, I currently have 3 and I once had 5

Image
·

Tag was my entry into the world of watches. I think you get a lot for your money, especially in the Carrera line. The WBN2111.FC6505 may be one of the nicest looking dress watches I've ever seen, and list price was $3k, for the quality of the product, that is really hard to beat. I recently got the CBN2A10.BA0643 as my first chronograph, and it's beautiful and incredibly well made, and again, for the price, difficult to beat. I won't say it's better than the Speedmaster or the Chronomaster Sport, I like Omega ( have the AT) and Zenith, but I think they are very comparable in terms of quality. Also if you haven't checked out the new Glassbox models, they are stunning. Just my 2 cents.

·
santiagoam1

I think they have some great designs and are a great entry level luxury option. IMO much of the snobbery is unjustified

Wonder why they are looked down upon?

·
mannyb65

Well, I sincerely believe that they are very good watches, well built and good materials, I love Tag Heuer, I currently have 3 and I once had 5

Image

Nothing stood out in a bad way. Seemed solid.

·

There certainly are.

·
usccopeland

Wonder why they are looked down upon?

I think because they got a bit flashy/carried away with the designs at some point (they’re now reverting) and also because they’ve used ETA movements for a long time on watches that were well over 2K. Maybe because they really leaned into smartwatches at some point too 😂

·
bc6619

Tag was my entry into the world of watches. I think you get a lot for your money, especially in the Carrera line. The WBN2111.FC6505 may be one of the nicest looking dress watches I've ever seen, and list price was $3k, for the quality of the product, that is really hard to beat. I recently got the CBN2A10.BA0643 as my first chronograph, and it's beautiful and incredibly well made, and again, for the price, difficult to beat. I won't say it's better than the Speedmaster or the Chronomaster Sport, I like Omega ( have the AT) and Zenith, but I think they are very comparable in terms of quality. Also if you haven't checked out the new Glassbox models, they are stunning. Just my 2 cents.

Love the green on your Tag chrono!

·
santiagoam1

I think because they got a bit flashy/carried away with the designs at some point (they’re now reverting) and also because they’ve used ETA movements for a long time on watches that were well over 2K. Maybe because they really leaned into smartwatches at some point too 😂

Well those are good ways to alienate the watch lovers lol

·

great brand with history that makes a lot of items that are mass market/not for enthusiasts. If they make an offering that speaks to you, go for it.

·
usccopeland

Love the green on your Tag chrono!

Thanks, you really have to see one in person to appreciate it. It's getting a lot of wrist time lately.

·

I think the brand gets a bad wrap and is finding their direction again. Good watches and good prices. I kinda feel the same way with Breitling. They were looking very mall watch/ 90’s designer watches for a while but have gotten back to their original designs. Just wish their prices would come down.

·

I know I will never look anywhere near like Ryan Gosling but I want the Carrera in that exact blue leather strap he's been wearing... so sexy 😍 the watch I mean 😅

·

Tag is a Hard pass for me. They just never caught my interest and I more other brands more appealing.

·

Tag is a tough one for me. The old Heuer stuff is incredible. Especially old Carreras. And the 90’a was full of wacky yet lovable designs. And then somewhere along the line they decided everything needed to be large and overpriced. The new glass box Carrera at 39mm is incredible but tag is trying to compete with omega and Rolex when they should be competing against Tudor in price.

·
timepiece.pete

I have this grand idea to buy a Monaco on my first visit to Monaco 🇲🇨

Go for it!

·
usccopeland

Good looking watches no doubt. The movement questions do stick in my mind.

The new in-house h02 or TH20 as it’s known as as is great, good action on the pushers, great PR. Not heard of any issues. Although does give a rotor wobble similar to the Valjoux 7750s

·
Markell

I love my Monaco, interestingly it’s a a watch that a lot of people ask me about in work. Compared to others in my collection I would say it’s very high in quality, the movement feels very very good in operation. The brand has had a split personality, selling lower cost entry watches and there is a lot of ignorance around the so called Seiko movement that was classed as in house. TAG stated it was in house whilst others spotted a resemblance to the seiko TC78 chronograph. It was actually a master move by TAG which allowed them to be more dominant in the mechanical chrono market and set the company up for future expansion but they got the marketing wrong. See the link below. Like many companies sometimes they release some questionable models but the last few years they have repositioned and are on fire and getting stronger. Interestingly most gloss over the fact that the holy trinity dropped in the odd movement from JLC or that the Rolex Daytona had the Zenith movement in it until 2000, how many people in the last few years dropped big money on their vintage Rolex without knowing that they bought an el premiere with a different case? This was not the case with the 1887 movement contiversy, they spent 10s of millions on the redesign and development after purchasing the IP from SII.

https://www.europastar.com/magazine/highlights/1004071591-tag-heuer-addresses-the-1887-movement-controversy.html

Image

Thanks! Will check out the article.

·
CheapHangover

They're good enough to be appreciated by snobs, but they also make "low cost" pieces which the snobs hate, hence the poor reputation. However, they make watches that are both good and pretty. And for those that do care, they're the OG chronograph maker with lots of history. Their recent top models are very well done.

I need to look more into the history

·
toffee_pie

Good watches but buy used, let someone else take the initial hit.

Always good advice

·
red.john

"Why Tag Heuer?" – A really good question.

I once had one as a "loan", so to speak, from my jeweller and it gave me "so much" that I returned it the next day and bought a G-Shock :D

Thats pretty telling lol

·
palle23

They have some aggressive marketing, a few experimental designs and builds, also a while ago they lied about some of their movements being in house. With that said I think overall they have great and original designs with great build quilty. Their design language is a bit distinct but I think it just adds to the uniqueness of the brand, especially with so many brands doing much of the same stuff. I also think they are fairly priced especially on the used market.

Thanks for sharing your take!

·
usccopeland

Thanks Rich. Seems to be a gap between that heritage and current branding/marketing.

They do sponsor the Red Bull F1 team, so the likes of Max Verstappen have Monacos on, but it lacks the the authenticity of the good old days of old school F1, Le Mans and Steve McQueen! Their other marketing efforts around golf, sailing and tennis are lost on me.

·

Here Ben Clymer says it best when considering the Heuer Carrera...as one of the world's foremost collectors and a respected watch enthusiast...I think you could put to rest the drivel others say about Heuer...

The Complete Guide to the Vintage Heuer Carrera (hodinkee.com)

They just have strong options across many different eshetics. The Monaco is one of the most iconic watches of the 20th century, and there's still nothing quite like it. The Aquaracer is maybe the best all-around luxury diver you can find at a reasonable price, it's recognizeable, and makes a great one-watch collection. There are so many Formula 1 variations there's something for everyone. And the Carrera glassbox is probably the prettiest chronograph on the market right now under $10k

·
mannyb65

Well, I sincerely believe that they are very good watches, well built and good materials, I love Tag Heuer, I currently have 3 and I once had 5

Image

Great selection of straps

·
Khan_Salvador

Great selection of straps

Thank You, They are the original ones that the watches come with.

·

When I was young I used to lust after a TAG. Today I think they're just a bit naff. YMMV.

·

I have always had a soft spot for TAG Heuer as it was my first nice watch gifted to me when I was 18. There is a fair amount of TAG hate, some of it is probably warranted. Seems the post Heuer TAGs made during the quartz crisis diluted the brand a bit. The limbo phase lasted into the 20-teens with questionable movements and design choices. I think TAG is turning the corner with some great re-issues or updates on their classics. ….but I am a little biased

Image
Image

I’ve always been a fan of TAG Heuer. I grew up in the era of the 2000 and link series watches, and have always loved their designs, history (including TAG, not just Heuer), and their automotive connection. I’m pretty happy with the fact that most enthusiasts ignore the brand, because I can’t get a deal on something I enjoy, and don’t have a waiting list 😁

I also completely understand why most watch geeks choose not to get into the brand. To each their own, and TAG has some issues with high MSRP, resale value, and brand perception.