The Watch Thread

[7thgear]

watch noob here

Tag Heur, modern (new) pieces... overpriced or legit value?

[AsianStyle]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

watch noob here

Tag Heur, modern (new) pieces... overpriced or legit value?

I'm not sure you can use the term "value" when talking about high-end watches.

Relative "value" is going to depend on which watch you are looking at. TAG uses several different movements in their watches. Most are ETA based, but so are the majority of high-end watches (< $10k).

The only thing I would stay away from is buying a high-end quartz movement, besides that just pick one that is aesthetically pleasing to you.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

watch noob here

Tag Heur, modern (new) pieces... overpriced or legit value?

They're well recognised and have a significant history, but in the recent past they kind of coasted on their name. However they are (have kinda been forced by Swatch/ETA) starting working on new developments.

I think they have a little ways to go before their tech catches up to their price.




Also @OrbitalEllipses (Dimman, Y U No spell Orb's sn, dammit!)



Got this today, maybe Xmas present for mom/sis. Swiss 2512 handwind movement skeletonized and cased/assembled by Bucherer (famous Swiss jewelry store).

Because skeleton.

[AsianStyle]

Originally Posted by Dimman

They're well recognised and have a significant history, but in the recent past they kind of coasted on their name. However they are (have kinda been forced by Swatch/ETA) starting working on new developments.

I think they have a little ways to go before their tech catches up to their price.

What other brands have more tech for less money?

I think TAGs are priced correctly for their market. I do think their quartz watches or quartz watches in general are over priced, but their ETA based watches seem to be priced competitively.

IMHO:
In house unique complication movement (>$10k) >
In house movement ($10k-5k) >=
Highly finished ETA movement ($5k-2k) >
Standard ETA movement (<$2k) >
Quartz movement

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by AsianStyle

What other brands have more tech for less money?

I think TAGs are priced correctly for their market. I do think their quartz watches or quartz watches in general are over priced, but their ETA based watches seem to be priced competitively.

IMHO:
In house unique complication movement (>$10k) >
In house movement ($10k-5k) >=
Highly finished ETA movement ($5k-2k) >
Standard ETA movement (<$2k) >
Quartz movement

Remember that Heuer actually won the race to be the first European automatic chronograph company. They used to lead and drive innovation. Now their 'in-house' high-end movement is purchased Seiko IP. They've relied on the margins of quartz for too long. They've shown that they can still do radical technical innovation with that micro-girder 1/1000th (or was it 1/10000th) chrono they did recently as a tech demo. But the excessive reliance on quartz and stock ETA, then buying Seiko design (even if it is really, really good), is not an Avant Guard Technique, so to speak.

Also for your movement pricing, are you talking chronograph or normal movement pricing? I hope chrono, because 10x+ movement cost (at retail pricing for non-complicated movements) is unacceptable.

[AsianStyle]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Remember that Heuer actually won the race to be the first European automatic chronograph company. They used to lead and drive innovation. Now their 'in-house' high-end movement is purchased Seiko IP. They've relied on the margins of quartz for too long. They've shown that they can still do radical technical innovation with that micro-girder 1/1000th (or was it 1/10000th) chrono they did recently as a tech demo. But the excessive reliance on quartz and stock ETA, then buying Seiko design (even if it is really, really good), is not an Avant Guard Technique, so to speak.

Also for your movement pricing, are you talking chronograph or normal movement pricing? I hope chrono, because 10x+ movement cost (at retail pricing for non-complicated movements) is unacceptable.

I agree with everything you said about TAG. I think the only difference is they meet my expectations of them and I guess you have a higher expectation/opinion of them than I do. Even with their history I don't think they were ever on the level of AP, JLC, PP, etc... Their special limited edition pieces (Monaco v4, Mikrogirder, Pendulum, etc...) are not really what they sell, but just a couple of halo watches to keep their name prestigious. Also, those watches are a lot more expensive than any of their regular watches. I think if you compared their more standard watches to other brands in that price range you get about the same quality for money (Not counting their quartz watches).

Those were rough figures I wrote and it was for regular movements. I did give a range of $5k - 10k for no complication in house movements. I think there are watches from Rolex, AP, PP, and JLC that will meet that $10k mark with no complications. I agree with you that they are not a good buy, but they do exist. Even Panerai's can reach close to that $10k figure using finished ETA movements. Also, does Rolex even make complication movements, besides their Daytona chrono? They seem to sell at those high prices using their name and use of gold, plat, and diamonds.

[Dimman]

Yes it's an expectations, thing I guess. They're very good, but I feel they should be great.

[AsianStyle]

Yea, I think that whole Seiko in house movement scandal hurt them a bit.

Talking about Seiko, I was really interested in a Seiko spring drive moon phase limited edition. A co-worker of mine owned the standard stainless steel Seiko spring drive. The movement of the second hand on that thing was incredible.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Also @OrbitalEllipses (Dimman, Y U No spell Orb's sn, dammit!)

[IMG]http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a551/Dimman7/IMG_20131006_183217_zps91a39eda.jpg[ /IMG]

Got this today, maybe Xmas present for mom/sis. Swiss 2512 handwind movement skeletonized and cased/assembled by Bucherer (famous Swiss jewelry store).

Because skeleton.

That's mechanically delicious...

[fatoni]

my seiko orange monster has been my workhorse for years. i would have to say that its probably the best watch value out there

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by fatoni

my seiko orange monster has been my workhorse for years. i would have to say that its probably the best watch value out there

I was actually looking to see if the 2nd gens were in Canada yet when I bought that black Seiko. The new 4R3x movements are awesome, plus everything about the previous Monster is awesome, so I bet it's a spectacular watch. I could get one online, I suppose buuuut, it's something that I would definitely need to try on in person, given its size and style.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Dimman

I was actually looking to see if the 2nd gens were in Canada yet when I bought that black Seiko. The new 4R3x movements are awesome, plus everything about the previous Monster is awesome, so I bet it's a spectacular watch. I could get one online, I suppose buuuut, it's something that I would definitely need to try on in person, given its size and style.

its a little bit big (not by contemporary standards though) but the actual time piece and the bracelet are so balanced that the weight is kinda perceived as a good thing. i honestly cant think of a better watch so i dont know what else to say. it leaves nothing to be desired

[Boom]

Here's mine! This almost gets as many compliments as my FR-S.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Boom

Here's mine! This almost gets as many compliments as my FR-S.

Attachment 53592

Interesting. Could you share some more details?

All I can figure out is wood and two movements.