Advice on Tag Heuer watches

Personally I think they're overrated, a $20 ETA movement in a nice case.

The best watch I've ever owned is a $120 Seiko divers that I got a couple of years back from chronograph.com - thoroughly recommended (the watch and the dealers).

I don't think the resale on a Tag would be anything like that that you get from a Rolex (I have one on my shelf that I've not worn since getting the Seiko and it's probably worth slightly more today than when I brought it s/h some years back).

cheers,
Paul

I dip into timezone.com every now and the to lust after old IWC timepieces. The only post I found about TAG wasn't too complimentary. If you just like their stuff, good enough, but if you haven't looked into it, you might want to. I know after reading the stuff on Timezone about Rolex, I don't have much desire to own one. Below is what I found.

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Let me tell you a little bit about Tag Heuer...
Tag makes nice designs -- I give them that. However, what most people do not realize is that Tag is solely a marketing and design brand. They have no factory and thus very few watchmakers. All production and repair work is subcontracted to other companies and, for the most part, the lowest bidder. For instance, Cortech produces the cases, Kohli the dials, and Morellato the bracelets. ETA and Valjoux provides the movements and the movement modifications (as they do for many brands), but rumor has it (I have not found objective sources to confirm this) that there is also production subcontracted to Malaysia and the East to save costs. The watches are assembled by one of the many known Swiss ateliers whose specialty is the assembly of component watch parts. The watches are then sent to Tag Heuer for final testing.

The testing facility is a basic wearhouse with about 9 "quality control" tests, from vats used to simulate water resistance, to a drop thingy for shock testing. TZ used to have a video of the tests performed on the Tags in this warehouse, and for a $1000-$3000 watch, one would expect more.

Once the completed product is ready for sale we then experience why they are so costly -- advertising. Tag -- as many other companies do -- spend substantial amounts on marketing and advertising. They goal, as indicated in a recent issue of Watchtime, is to create a marketing program to compete with the likes of Omega, Rolex, Breitling. To further its marketing plans, they've rehired Jack Heuer to help Tag link their own history to that of Edward Heuer and create a sense of history -- even though the Technics Avante Garde group bought Heuer in 1984 (I believe that is the year).

In short, Tag Heuer is a design/marketing brand with no production facility who subcontracts out production and repair.

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When I bought my Tag Heuer about 10 years ago, I thought that if the things are built to last then why not get a used one. Found a mint condition watch, 18mths old for just under 2/3 the new price.

I'd never buy a quiality watch new, would always look to get a used one. Having said that, I'd be reluctant to buy on ebay unless I could actually see and satisfy myself that I was buying the real thing - that's worth paying dealer price for imho.

That aside, if you like them, go for it...

Steve

It's a grand old team to play for...

Don't buy it ! My Tag crapped out after a few years and the "movement" needed to be replaced (for the price of an arm and a leg). As others have said, it's just a quartz watch with a nice strap and case.

"a $20 ETA movement in a nice case"

True, but almost all swiss & german automatics these days are 20$ movements in nice cases...

Tags are fine, personally I really like the Heuer re-issues like the TwinTime GMT, but I reckon the Tag "classics" like the Link and Kirium are rather vulgar.

But hey, whatever turns you on!

PS I've never tried orolus.com, but I've heard nothing but praise (from personal friends) about prestigetime.com

I've had a 6000 for five years and it's looking and going as good as new. Lovely watch. Won it in an incentive scheme - would never pay more than about £30 of my own money for a watch. It's needed one new (leather) strap and a battery, both replaced at 4.5 years. Love it.

Cheers

Harry

I bought a fake Tag chronograph from Turkey for £40. It's still going after a few months, seems to be waterproof (incl. screw in crown), is nice and heavy and seems to be accurate.
I would never spend £££ on a Tag(!)

-- woody

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Originally posted by RoyleBlue:
Am looking at getting a Tag Heuer watch (always wanted one) and was having a look on't web for decent prices when I found this site - http://www.orolus.com/
What do you reckon?

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So if you always wanted you should buy one.
Which Model?
Personaly i like the one steve mc.queen weares
in the movie "le mans"
I also like the innovative designs Of the kiriums but as you know its all a matter of taste.
and i see also the possibilty to take a quartz one.(always exact time and not expensive.but a b a d image for all true watch lovers(who cares? me not.)
concerning what is said about the "cheap eta movements":
you have to buy an omega or glasshütte original
or jaeger le coultre to get n o etamovement.
also rolex and Iwc uses the eta.
Maybe a mass product but a good one.And if those eta movements were as rare and handcrafted like the first named brands they would also be that expensive.
o.J.