The Alter Ego was launched in 1999 as an exclusively 'female' product range. Rumours abound that a men's Alter Ego was considered, indeed one Calibre 11 forum member claims to have in his possession a prototype case, but if true, ultimately the idea was abandoned.
The Alter Ego was only available with a quartz movement and in two case sizes, both of which came in a variety of brushed and/or polished finishes. As you would expect from a range aimed exclusively at ladies, the watch was also available in precious metals and with mother of pearl dials, diamond dials, bezels and even bracelets.
1999 ALTER EGO CATALOGUE
The Alter Ego did not feature in the main 1999 Catalogue, but there was a separate launch catalogue made which featured Helena Bonham Carter, Kristin Scott Thomas, Monica Seles and Marion Jones. Six watches were featured at launch, all of which were in the larger (29mm) case size:
WP1311.BA0750: 29mm, silver dial, brushed steel on a bracelet
WP1312.BA0750: 29mm, blue mother of pearl dial, brushed steel on a bracelet
WP1314.BA0751: 29mm, white dial, polished steel on a bracelet
WP1315.BA0751: 29mm, silver dial, polished steel on a bracelet
WP1316.BA0751: 29mm, blue dial, diamond bezel on a polished bracelet
1999 ALTER EGO CATALOGUE (alternate version)
This catalogue was much more in depth than the shorter version, containing more watches and different pictures of the ambassadors. Unfortunately I did not discover this one until I had already finished this post and so most of the watches listed in the 2000 catalogue were already shown here. There were two pieces unique to this version of the catalogue.
WP1314.FC8128: 29mm, mother of pearl dial, polished steel on a brown strap
WP1311.FC8127: 29mm, silver dial, polished steel on a red strap
2000 CATALOGUE
The 2000 catalogue introduces more models to the range, albeit the watch is still only available in the larger size. Here we see the introduction of the first precious metals and diamonds and also previous models now available on textile straps alongside bracelets.
WP1317.BA0751: 29mm, mother of pearl dial, diamond bezel on a polished bracelet
WP1318.BA0751: 29mm, blue dial, diamond case on a polished bracelet
WP1319.BA0751: 29mm, mother of pearl dial, diamond case on a polished bracelet
WP1350.BA0752: 29mm, mother of pearl dial on a two-tone brushed bracelet
WP1351.BA0752: 29mm, slate-grey dial on a two-tone brushed bracelet
WP1315.FC8216: 29mm, silver dial, polished case on a blue textile strap
WP1410.BD0753: 25mm, blue mother of pearl dial on a brushed bracelet
2001 CATALOGUE
With the 2001 catalogue we see the introduction of yet more variations on the 29mm theme, but also the first 25mm pieces.
WP1411.BD0754: 25mm, blue dial on a polished bracelet
WP1412.BD0754: 25mm, white dial on a polished bracelet
WP1414.BA0754: 25mm, mother of pearl dial, diamond bezel on a polished bracelet
WP1415.BA0754: 25mm, blue dial, diamond bezel on a polished bracelet
WP131A.BA0751: 29mm, black dial on a polished bracelet
WP131A.FC8125: 29mm, black dial on a black textile strap
WP131B.BA0751: 29mm, mother of pearl/diamond dial on a polished bracelet
WP131C.BA0751: 29mm, blue mother of pearl/diamond dial on a polished bracelet
WP131F.BA0751: 29mm, blue MOP/diamond dial, diamond case on a polished bracelet
WP131D.BA0751: 29mm, blue/diamond dial on a polished bracelet
WP131E.BA0751: 29mm, mother of pearl/diamond dial, diamond case on a polished bracelet
WP131G.FC8125: 29mm, black dial, diamond case on a black textile strap
WP1440.FC8141: 25mm, mother of pearl dial, gold case on a red lizard skin strap
2002 CATALOGUE
The 2002 sees the introduction of more new models and for the first time a selection of 18k solid gold pieces. Also of particular note is the 'River of Diamonds' WP131L, although I have to say it isn't quite as impressive as the 'River of Diamonds' S/EL which preceded it.
WP1440.FC8149: 25mm, mother of pearl dial, gold case on a white leather/satin strap
WP1442.FC8143: 25mm, blue dial, gold case on a blue lizard skin strap
WP1443.BG0755: 25mm, mother of pearl dial, gold case on a polished bracelet
WP131L.BA0755: 29mm, MOP/diamond dial, diamond set polished case and bracelet
WAA1410.BA0760: 25mm, dark blue dial on a polished bracelet
WAA1415.BA0760: 25mm, MOP/diamond dial, diamond case on a polished strap
WP1444.BG0755: 25mm, MOP/diamond dial, diamond bezel/case on a polished gold bracelet
2004 CATALOGUE
The 2004 catalogue represents the last stand for this rather short-lived model, but that's not to say there weren't still more variations to be added to the range. In fact, 2004 sees a complete clear-out of all previous models and in it's place only the 25mm range with a new, simpler dial with less hour markers.
WAA1412.BA0760: 25mm, pale pink dial on a polished bracelet
WAA1413.BA0761: 25mm, pale blue dial on a brushed bracelet
WAA1416.BA0760: 25mm, MOP/diamond dial, diamond bezel on a polished strap
WAA1417.BA0760: 25mm, MOP/diamond dial, diamond bezel on a polished strap
NON CATALOGUE MODELS
These models were not featured in any of the catalogues covered previously. It is possible that some of these may have been specific to certain countries and could have been made in fairly small numbers, obviously the costly gold ones but even some of the other pieces. The orange one in particular seems very hard to find any information on and I could only find two pictures of it on the internet.
WP131P.BA055: 29mm, pink dial on a polished bracelet
WP131P.FC8150: 29mm, pink dial, polished case on a pink strap
WP131R.FC8152: 29mm, orange dial, polished case on an orange strap
WAA1411.BA0760: 25mm, purple dial on a polished bracelet
WP131H.FC8183: 29mm, mother of pearl dial, polished case on a pink strap
WP131J.FC8125: 29mm, mother of pearl dial, polished case on a black strap
WP1417.BA0754: 25mm, MOP/diamond dial, diamond case on a polished bracelet
WP1416.FC8148: 25m, black dial, diamond polished case on a black strap
WP1440.BG0755: 25mm, MOP/diamond dial, solid gold case and bracelet
WP1441.FC8142: 25mm, black dial, polished gold case on a black lizard skin strap
WP1441.FC8148: 25mm, black dial, polished gold case on a black textile strap
WP1443.FC8148: 25mm MOP/diamond dial, polished gold case on a black textile strap
For me the Alter Ego really represented the 'Avant Garde' spirit that TAG Heuer often reference in their marketing material. I think it's a shame it didn't last longer and I also think it was a good move to make a range specifically for women. Right now it seems that women are rather poorly served, sure there are 108 ladies watches on the TAG Heuer website, but a lot of them are the same watch on different coloured straps and there seems to be little invention or creativity. In fact it's a fairly bland selection, save for a few notable pieces like the purple Carrera with the textured dial.
All the more reason to celebrate the Alter Ego then, and there are plenty of pre-owned pieces available at reasonable prices. The only thing you really have to look out for is condition. All those polished surfaces attract scratches like you wouldn't believe and the bracelets are prone to stretching and are difficult to size (my wife's had to go to the service centre to have a few links taken out).
The crown is badly designed as well, being polished and inaccessible - bravo! But still, the overall look is striking and still looks quite special even today, more than fifteen years after its untimely demise.
Next up will be the History of the 4000 Series
Excellent!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!