1k to buy a Tag Heuer

StereoSound

I want my first Tag in time for xmas. I have 1,000 to 1,200 to spend. Not the biggest budget for a Swiss Brand but it's what I can afford right now. I would like a multi dial watch, something with a black face ideally but I'm open minded with face colours. At the minute I'm wearing a Seiko so getting a Tag is a really big deal to me.

Please recommend thanks.

sparrowcar

StereoSound wrote: »

I want my first Tag in time for xmas. I have 1,000 to 1,200 to spend. Not the biggest budget for a Swiss Brand but it's what I can afford right now. I would like a multi dial watch, something with a black face ideally but I'm open minded with face colours. At the minute I'm wearing a Seiko so getting a Tag is a really big deal to me.

Please recommend thanks.

Are you absolutely dead set on a TH?

Just that you may get loads of alternative suggestions here in terms of bang for buck.
I really like TH's but a much better quality of watch can be had for the same money by other brands. If you want something that catches the eye of friends or work colleagues then the TH makes sense.

Homer

Does it need to be new? Have a look on Chrono24 and put in your budget and you will get an idea of whats available in that price range. It's probably going to be an entry level link calibre 6, an aquaracer or one of the formula 1 range?

StereoSound

sparrowcar wrote: »

Are you absolutely dead set on a TH?

Just that you may get loads of alternative suggestions here in terms of bang for buck.
I really like TH's but a much better quality of watch can be had for the same money by other brands. If you want something that catches the eye of friends or work colleagues then the TH makes sense.

I always dreamed of owning a TAG and ideally I would prefer one but I am open to suggestion.

I would like a brand new one.

dinorebel

StereoSound wrote: »

I always dreamed of owning a TAG and ideally I would prefer one but I am open to suggestion.

I would like a brand new one.

Do you mind if it's Quartz? as that's probably all you'll get for that money.

Oafley Jones

StereoSound wrote: »

I always dreamed of owning a TAG and ideally I would prefer one but I am open to suggestion.

I would like a brand new one.

The depreciation on TH is horrible. You'd get much better value second hand.

StereoSound

dinorebel wrote: »

Do you mind if it's Quartz? as that's probably all you'll get for that money.

I'd prefer not to have a quartz, am I doomed to a quartz in my price range?

dinorebel

StereoSound wrote: »

I'd prefer not to have a quartz, am I doomed to a quartz in my price range?

Think so another 2/300 on the budget would maybe get you an auto.

Homer

There's a Carrera Calibre 5 auto on adverts that looks in mint condition, still under warranty that could probably be picked up for close to your budget? I wouldn't rule out a very well looked after pre owned. At least someone else has taken the hit on the depreciation!
Or if you don't mind buying from the likes of Chrono24 there's some nice pieces within your budget in Europe so no sneaky customs charges!

scwazrh

Within that budget for a Tag , you will be paying over half the value for the Tag name and the rest for the actual watch. If you try creation watches you should get a quartz tag for that price range . IMO you would be much better off taking 500 euro of your money and buying a steinhart and save the rest of your cash towards either a larger budget auto Tag or keep saving for a higher quality watch.I know lots of people will disagree with me but most entry level Tags are not much more than fashion watches

dinorebel

scwazrh wrote: »

Within that budget for a Tag , you will be paying over half the value for the Tag name and the rest for the actual watch. If you try creation watches you should get a quartz tag for that price range . IMO you would be much better off taking 500 euro of your money and buying a steinhart and save the rest of your cash towards either a larger budget auto Tag or keep saving for a higher quality watch.I know lots of people will disagree with me but most entry level Tags are not much more than fashion watches

Agree with this 100%

rwbug

Agree/Disagree - Tag are great watches that now have a poor reputation as fashion watches.
Ideal opportunity to grab a bargain second hand.

Oafley Jones

I thought just struck me. I've been browsing tz-uk for a few months now and I can't remember a single thread of Tag. Seriously. You'll get plenty of discussion on Rolex, omega, Patek, AP, VC, breitling, seiko, g shock tudor, steinhart, stowa, Nomos etc etc. But for the life of me Tag doesn't even seem to get a mention. Maybe I've somehow missed them, or does it suggest how the WIS community estimates the brand.

StereoSound

I'm prepared to be realistic and buy within budget the best I can get. If it's not a TAG then so be it. I definitely do not want a Quartz TAG.

Darwin

OP I like chrono's too and am also in the market for a watch in a similar price range. As mentioned above Chrono24.com is a good place to start, but for definitely check out the sellers first. Another place you could try is chronext.com. They are not official dealers and you will have to wait 2 weeks to get a watch, but the prices are very keen and there is a discount code 'Tube2016' which will knock another €145 off.
I have an old Tag F1 and an Oris Williams F1, but I've decided to get another Oris. It's not a chrono, but an automatic divers watch called the Aquis, probably on a rubber strap. Check it out - Oris are extremely well built for the money and the Aquis can be had in your price range.

Bluefoam

OP, don't let other peoples comments put you off... Allot of users here are watch enthusiasts and often don't understand your wants and needs.

Tag are a great brand, make quality time pieces and look great. Find the one you want and get it... Make sure the watch in question is an object of your desire. If it is you will love it. I recommend an automatic if you can stretch to it.

The likes of Steinhart are great watches, but they are obscure and appeal to a more dedicated watch enthusiast. There is a reason why TAG are a well recognised brand... they produce quality products and have many, many satisfied customers, and you should feel confident in the brand for that reason.

Good luck. I hope you find what you're looking for.

bogmanfan

I would disagree with the majority here. Tag make some fantastic watches, including iconic ranges like the Carrera and Monaco. For your budget you're probably looking at a Formula 1 or Aquaracer. I've owned a few from each range and they've been excellent watches.

I personally have no time for the likes of Steinhart. In my opinion they just rip off other brands' designs and add nothing to the world of watch design. In the €1,000 range I would be looking at Hamilton or Rado as alternatives to the Tags. There's a shop in the Kildare Village that sells both brands.

art

Oafley Jones wrote: »

I thought just struck me. I've been browsing tz-uk for a few months now and I can't remember a single thread of Tag. Seriously. You'll get plenty of discussion on Rolex, omega, Patek, AP, VC, breitling, seiko, g shock tudor, steinhart, stowa, Nomos etc etc. But for the life of me Tag doesn't even seem to get a mention. Maybe I've somehow missed them, or does it suggest how the WIS community estimates the brand.

Well that's utter sniffy nonsense. There has been plenty of mentions of Tags, there a tag pic on page one of the forum now even; Tag Monacos are always very highly regarded, for example, on that forum.

Stereosound, do be aware that there are elements of PlayStation/Xbox, Apple/Android going on here; when people have invested significant amounts of money in one brand, there can be a tendency, at times, to want to denigrate competing brands. It happens with all sorts of things really.

But Tag will give you a extremely well made watch that you will know and feel the heft and quality of. But what others have said is also true, a considerable amount of what you spend on it refers to the brand itself. This holds true for Brietling, Omega and all the brands that advertise themselves in aspirational lifestyle magazines, etc. It is simply something to take account of, do you wish to pay for the particular brand name? There's absolutely nothing wrong with doing so, it's all part of the package you are considering.

The bad news is I don't think you've a chance in hell of getting a new one at that price point so you should decide whether to hold out for exactly what you want or compromise: there are many other really beautiful watches available to you at that price from lesser, or practically unknown brands. Some of the German brands in particular I think are highly coveted.

Another option is to drop right back to the 400-500 bracket and sample something there with a view to understanding what you really like: e.g. brands like Laco have a massive heritage behind them yet produce high value automatics in that price range that you can be proud to own. Certina is another oft overlooked brand I'd check out. And there are others I'm sure people would be happy to add if your interest turned that way...

Oafley Jones

art wrote: »

Well that's utter sniffy nonsense. There has been plenty of mentions of Tags, there a tag pic on page one of the forum now even; Tag Monacos are always very highly regarded, for example, on that forum.

You've taken me up wrongly. I genuinely don't see them mentioned there. I'd be curious as to actually quantify how my perception is on that, or maybe start a thread on how the members there rate the brand. 've no mass on any particular brands personally E.g. I'm wearing my most expensive watch now... A 150 euro Withings activity tracker. I'm firm believer in wearing what you want. It does look to me that they're looked down on as a brand.

Wibbs

Oafley Jones wrote: »

It does look to me that they're looked down on as a brand.

They'd certainly not be rated that highly among watch aficionados when compared to the general public's generally high view of them. Heuer yes, TAG Heuer not nearly so much. The latter I was never too sure about. I've owned a few of their vintage examples at one time or another and TBH and IMH of course the old ones weren't so great. Often lovely designs, but they were always more a watch design company and assembler than a "grand house". The newer ones including the homages are far better bolted together and I don't mean just in new materials.

My own personal theory why they may be looked down upon by some folks who really get into watches is possibly because for a certain age segment TAG were the first "proper" and "expensive" watch people bought back in say the 90's. The designs were very of that era, an era which has yet to find favour and the same ex TAG owners feel they have outgrown the brand?

MarcusP12

OP, i was like yourself...really wanted a tag heuer as i grew up an F1 fan and tag heuer are synonymous with motor racing for a long time. Took the plunge last year and bought a tag aquaracer chrono in quartz off creation....got a black friday deal and all in cost about 1350 including customs so not a bad deal at all. I love the watch and doesnt bother me that its quartz. Don't forget that you want a chrono and the seconds hand is a subdial so you don't really notice it or at least nearly as much as a non-chrono quartz which has a main second hand. I find the quality very good for the price so no issue there.

I've the greatest of respect for all the guy's opinions here but you have to take them on board and go with what you want. Lots of people will recommend obscure brands to you because they are known to be high quality, great value watches. But they would be relatively unknown outside of watch circles. If you are into Tag, i'm guessing that you are brand conscious and would like people to recognize that the watch you are wearing cost a few bob. You'll get that for sure from a tag because everyone with even the slightest interest in watches recognises the brand.

For a lot of people, its not just about buying a watch which is "high quality" master watch maker type standards. Its also about how it makes you feel. Shallow as it sounds, it can also be about what other people think and like it or not for some people, what people think of you matters. So if you are wearing a nice tag (quartz or not, most people don't care about that), there's a decent chance that non-watch people will think you have good taste in watches and this might make you feel good.

Getting back on point...as everyone has said, you will struggle to pick up an auto chrono brand new for your budget, 2nd hand probably, new, not a hope i would say. You might pick up a non chrono auto in the states alright but you'd need to have a way to get around customs.

If you want a quality auto and are willing to deviate from tag, try tissot (well within budget in auto...i have one, swiss made great quality), hamilton (lovely chrono autos which should be within budget off creation) or longines (know a bit less of their range but might pick up non-chrono auto in kildare village. hydroconquest is a lovely watch and just about in budget if you want auto but compromise with the chrono)....if it was me, i would stick with what the heart is telling you go tag and compromise on the auto if going chronograph....

Wibbs

MarcusP12 wrote: »

I've the greatest of respect for all the guy's opinions here but you have to take them on board and go with what you want. Lots of people will recommend obscure brands to you because they are known to be high quality, great value watches. But they would be relatively unknown outside of watch circles. If you are into Tag, i'm guessing that you are brand conscious and would like people to recognize that the watch you are wearing cost a few bob. You'll get that for sure from a tag because everyone with even the slightest interest in watches recognises the brand.

For a lot of people, its not just about buying a watch which is "high quality" master watch maker type standards. Its also about how it makes you feel. Shallow as it sounds, it can also be about what other people think and like it or not for some people, what people think of you matters. So if you are wearing a nice tag (quartz or not, most people don't care about that), there's a decent chance that non-watch people will think you have good taste in watches and this might make you feel good.

Exactly.

if it was me, i would stick with what the heart is telling you go tag and compromise on the auto if going chronograph....

+1 on this too. Sure mechanical is nice, but it's going to be much more expensive to buy and don't forget servicing down the line. That won't be cheap, especially if you go back to TAG.

art

Oafley Jones wrote: »

It does look to me that they're looked down on as a brand.

It depends but pretty much you can find a watch snob that will look down on anything if needs be. If I ran a forum I'd be "outting" Rolex all the time, for example! We all have bête noires. But the Heuer obviously has hertitage and its own particular highpoints, like being the first swiss made watch in space or the first mass produced chrono.

With the Tag acquisition, there has been more of the moody aspirational styled selling which can be a turn off but also there has been significant steps added to the modern watch development path which elevates them beyond a simple watch face design shop, e.g. their affordable tourbillon, the ultrafast choronographs (which are indeed fairly spectacular) and the V4 belt drive - the latter is discussed a bit here:
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/tag-heuer-monaco-v4-first-belt-driven-tourbillon/

Wibbs

art wrote: »

With the Tag acquisition, there has been more of the moody aspirational styled selling which can be a turn off but also there has been significant steps added to the modern watch development path which elevates them beyond a simple watch face design shop, e.g. their affordable tourbillon, the ultrafast choronographs (which are indeed fairly spectacular) and the V4 belt drive

Yep. Looking at it minus the fog of mad values(IMH) for vintage Heuer, one could argue easily enough that TAG Heuer has made more actual watchmaking strides and developments since the 80's takeover than Heuer did in all it's previous history.