FEATURE: Why I'm Suddenly Selling Watches...

 

'People' say that people who collect watches go through predictable stages: they get their first watch, then another and then things gradually pick up steam until eventually the collector realises that they have more watches than they can actually wear. Shortly thereafter they come to the inevitable conclusion that... 'If I sell some of these watches I can buy something more expensive'.  

Often times this is portrayed as a warning through the medium of 'YouTube' as 'One Big Mistake New Watch Collectors Make' or similarly titled videos, the basic message being 'Don't buy loads of cheap(er) watches, go straight to Rolex' or whatever the YouTuber's watch brand of choice may be.

On the face of it this is sound advice since most often you will lose money selling a watch (especially if you bought it new), but since I bought most of my watches 'pre-loved' (as they nauseatingly say these days) this has never really concerned me since I have zero intention of ever selling my TAG Heuer collection in order to pursue Rolex, Audemars Piguet, etc. 

But then earlier in the year something happened which gave me pause for thought....

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 200 Professional by Edgar the Jeweler

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02T 'Plasma' Nanograph

 
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This is the last of the 'Watches and Wonders' releases to get it's 'First Impressions/C.O.C.O.' post, albeit 'First Impressions' is a bit of a joke since I can't honestly believe any of us mortals will be seeing one of these any time soon. To be honest, I've been rather unenthusiastic about doing this post because it's hard for me to grapple with a new TAG Heuer that is utterly beyond my wallet. I mean sure there are expensive models like the Carrera Tourbillons but they are still potentially attainable should I ever decide to sell a large number of pieces from the collection. This however, is a different story... should I wish to buy this watch I would need to sell my house and I don't think my wife would be very keen on that idea.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300 Professional Calibre 5 by Bruce Williams

 

QUIZ: TAG Heuer 'Limited Edition' Quiz

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It's been a while, but it's finally time for another quiz. This time we'll be testing your knowledge of various limited edition pieces from our favourite watch brand. Answers can be found at the bottom of the page... good luck!

Question 1: The unusual Monaco pictured above was produced to commemorate 50 years of which Asian watch boutique?

A: Classes

B: Oriental Watch Co

C: The Hour Glass

D: Wristcheck

Question 2: In the early 2010s TAG Heuer issued a black coated Grand Carrera RS17 in a limited run of 150 for the UK market. What was the main accent colour?

A: Red

B: Blue

C: Yellow

D: Green

Question 3: In 2019 TAG Heuer commemorated the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Monaco by producing five limited edition pieces to represent the five decades of the watch (even though the Monaco was out of production during the 80s). How many watches were produced of each model?

A: 500

B: 169

C: 249

D: 199

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Question 4: In 2018 TAG Heuer issued a limited edition Carrera Heuer 02 in a run of 100 pieces for their new Oxford Street boutique. What text was printed on the sapphire caseback?

A: Limited Edition / London

B: Limited Edition / Oxford Street

C: Limited Edition / 1 of 100pcs

D: Limited Edition / One of One Hundred 

Question 5: Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka got her own Limited Edition Aquaracer at the start of 2022, which of these statements best describes the distinctive colour scheme?

A: Green dial, green bezel on a green rubber strap

B: Green dial, black bezel on a black rubber strap

C: Green dial, black bezel on a green rubber strap

D: Black dial, green bezel on a green rubber strap

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Question 6: For which country was the 200 piece limited edition shown above made? (Not to be confused with the very similar looking WAY101D incidentally...)

A: Kuwait

B: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

C: United Arab Emirates

D: Ireland

Question 7: Which animal was pictured on the backplate of TAG Heuer's 2020 'Chinese New Year' limited edition bronze case Autavia? 

A: Pig

B: Lion

C: Tiger

D: Rat

Question 8: Which British jeweller issued three different limited edition TAG Heuer watches during their centenary year (2019)?

A: Ernest Jones

B: Beaverbrooks

C: Asprey

D: Goldsmiths

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Question 9: For which South American country did TAG Heuer produce this very limited edition Formula 1 chronograph (105pcs)?

A: Argentina

B: Paraguay

C: Venezuela

D: Colombia

Question 10: In 2019 TAG Heuer issued the 'Calibre 12 Final Edition' in a run of 1000 pieces. Of what unusual material was the dial made?

A: Palladium

B: Ruthenium

C: Polonium

D: Berkelium

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Question 11: Which Japanese designer collaborated on the limited edition Heuer 02 powered Formula 1 pictured above?

A: Kenzo Takada

B: Hiroshi Fujiwara

C: Issey Mayake

D: Yumi Katsura

Question 12: CAV518C is the model number for a 100 piece limited edition chronograph which was sold exclusively by the watch retailer 'Tourneau', but which TAG Heuer model was it based on?

A: Carrera

B: Link

C: Monaco

D: Grand Carrera

Question 13: In 2018 TAG Heuer released a blue dial Aquaracer with a red and white crown logo but for which Swedish hockey player?

A: Daniel Alfredsson

B: Filip Forsberg

C: Peter Forsberg

D: Henrik Lundqvist

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Question 14: In 2019 TAG Heuer honoured which 113 year old Portuguese football club champions with the watch pictured above?

A: S.C. Braga

B: F.C. Porto

C: S.L. Benfica

D: Sporting C.P.

Question 15: In 2002 TAG Heuer released the CT2115, a 'Senna' Link limited to 4098 pieces. But what did the 4098 relate to? All of them are pretty ridiculous, but one of them is actually true!

A: The number of laps Senna completed during his F1 career 

B: The number of minutes elapsed during the 41 F1 races that Senna won

C: The number of minutes elapsed during Senna's career with McLaren 

D: The number of laps Senna completed while wearing TAG Heuer sponsorship

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16. Which military organization does the symbol on this WAJ2117 Aquaracer 500M represent?

A. The Green Berets

B. Israeli Special Forces

C. Special Air Service

D. 658 Squadron

17. In 2016 TAG Heuer released a Limited Edition Aquaracer for the Japanase Anime series 'One Piece'. There were actually two versions of this L/E, one of which came in a box shaped like a pirate's chest. Inside this chest were nine different....?

A. Straps

B. Souvenir Cards

C. Backplates

D. Bezels

18. In April 2021 TAG Heuer released a 500 pce limited edition Monaco in an unusual dial colour, what was it?

A. Green

B. Purple

C. Red

D. Teal

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19. Which movement powered the 2021 Hodinkee/Heuer Dato 45 limited edition?

A. Calibre 16

B. Heuer 02

C. Calibre 5

D. Valjoux 7750

20. Which sea dwelling creature can be found on the dial of a WAY2119 'Hawaii' limited edition Aquaracer?

A. Dolphin

B. Shark

C. Whale

D. Turtle

For the answers click on 'Read More'...

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 7 GMT by Brent L Miller Time

 

BUYING EXPERIENCE: TAG Heuer Golf Quartz Watch

 

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Ever since I got into the whole TAG Heuer thing I've always been fascinated by the more off-beat models, and one such example would be the TAG Heuer 'Golf' which appeared in the mid 2000s and exploited TAG Heuer's collaboration with the legendary golfer Tiger Woods. The watch was designed with the express purpose of being suitable for wearing while playing golf, which meant that comfort and lightness was imperative. To this end TAG Heuer moved the watch's crown to the left hand side (so as not to press into the back of the hand while taking a shot) and a created a unique design which completely eradicated the need for a clasp. 

VIDEO: In Conversation with Guy Bove (Creative Director at TAG Heuer) by Goldsmiths

 

SPOTLIGHT ON: TAG Heuer Alter Ego 'Orange Dial' Quartz Watch

 

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As discussed recently in the 'On the Wrist' post for the ladies' Aquaracer with the fumé dial, when it comes to watches for the fairer sex, the choice of dial colours is often rather limited. And generally speaking the Alter Ego was no different, you had black and (a rather lovely) blue, but beyond that it was mostly different shades of mother of pearl, silver or pale pink. There were however a couple of more vibrant pieces, a much deeper pink and this spectacular orange variation.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 'Tortoiseshell' Bezel Calibre 5 Unboxing by Wrong Time Watch

 

BUYING EXPERIENCE: TAG Heuer Kirium Toolkit

While the more sensible side of my brain knows that I need to stop purchasing things just because they have a TAG Heuer badge on them, unfortunately my less sensible 'collector' side still can't help itself when it sees a shiny object... so when this cool TAG Heuer Kirium toolkit came up on eBay a few weeks ago I knew I would end up buying it as long as it didn't attract silly sums of money.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Formula 1 - I Have Been Won Over by Thomowatch

 

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 'Fumé Dial' Automatic Ladies Watch

 

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Goldsmiths / Victoria Centre, Nottingham 23rd April 2022

After our visit to the TAG Heuer boutique on Clumber Street, my wife Rose and I made our way up the hill and into the 'Victoria' shopping centre. The first impression was not the best since the area near the door smelled inexplicably of fresh fish... I have no idea why since there was no obvious source, but it can't be very pleasant visiting Chisolm Hunter with the stench of halibut assailing your nostrils!

Once further inside the centre thankfully the aroma receded and we passed plenty of jewellers, albeit mostly stocking cheaper brands like Tissot, Gucci, etc. until we eventually came to Goldsmiths which had some more luxury-friendly brands in the window. Rose's eyes immediately fell on the 'smoke' fumé dial 30mm Aquaracer with diamond hour markers and before I knew it we were heading inside for a try on!

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 'Tortoiseshell Bezel' Calibre 5 Watch by The Watch Clicker

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 'Senna' Special Edition

 

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I don't know how many times I've 'thought' about doing a post about all the 'Senna' watches that TAG Heuer have released over the years, but every time I think about it I get nauseous because I just know I'm going to miss one out and someone's going to mock me for my ineptitude. How many are we talking about? Don't actually know right now, but I can safely say without fear of contradiction that we are well into double figures... and sadly that means that every new 'Senna' watch is met with more than a little indifference since it's generally a case of 'here we go again' at this point.

Over the years a certain pattern has emerged and so Senna watches are now basically either black and red, or less commonly grey/black and yellow. Over the last few years we've had the black/grey and yellow variety so now I guess it's time to revert to red and black once again. Ho hum...

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 'Porsche' Limited Edition by Monochrome Watches

 

ON THE WRIST: Heuer Carrera 'Montreal' 160th Anniversary Heuer 02 Chronograph

 

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TAG Heuer Boutique / Nottingham, 23rd April 2022

I can't honestly remember the last time I visited Nottingham city centre (other than occasional visits to Rock City), so it was interesting to see what had changed and of course I was eager to visit the plush looking TAG Heuer boutique on Clumber Street. I was hopeful that they would have the new orange Aquaracer and possibly something else released at Watches & Wonders 2022, but sadly the only things they had were two of the new yellow 'Porsche' Carreras and these were being held out the back as they were reserved for customers.

Still it was nice to visit a new TAG Heuer boutique, although it seemed a bit oddly placed (opposite Greggs and a closed down Holland & Barrett) when most of the jewellers were positioned inside the Victoria Centre (I would have thought that would have made more sense from a security point of view as well really... but then again maybe it's better to have one TAG Heuer stockist inside the centre and one in the city streets). Inside of course it's a very nice environment, though the only watches they had in the window were Connected smart watches which I thought was a bit strange.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera with Diamond Bezel by Jay Brokers

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 'Porsche' Limited Edition Chronograph

 
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At the end of last year someone told me that there weren't going to be any more 'Porsche' branded TAG Heuer watches and that the whole relationship was on the verge of falling apart. Well, it seems like that particular rumour was somewhat wide of the mark, because between you and I this isn't the only Porsche branded TAG Heuer we're going to be seeing this year, and while this one is really a titivated rework of last year's CBN2A1F, the next one is something else entirely.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 'Porsche' Special Edition by WatchBox Reviews