Hard to believe but back in 2016 TAG Heuer launched the first Max Verstappen limited edition Formula 1 chronograph to celebrate the Dutchman's very first win. Kinda crazy when you think about that, eh, it's almost like they KNEW he was going to be the next Lewis Hamilton. I mean who the hell gets a watch to celebrate their first win? Their first WDC maybe... but for whatever reason (could it be Max's huge and vociferous Dutch fanbase?) TAG Heuer decided a run of 500 would be a good way to turn a quick buck and as far as I can tell they pretty much never saw the inside of a shop window.
Since 2019 (at least) TAG Heuer have been selling the CAZ1014 paired with the bright orange FT8028 strap that came on Max's CAZ101B and more recently I noticed they've also been selling the WAZ1010 on that same strap too. Maybe they've been selling it for a while and I just haven't come across it, but that's not really important because everything I've said so far is only to serve as preamble to (and to slightly pad out, let's be honest) what promises to be quite a short post...
Ya see, while orange is a fun colour it's not something everyone necessarily feels 100% comfortable with and so TAG Heuer have teamed up with Watches of Switzerland to bring a slightly less obnoxious coloured rubber strap to the table. Personally I think this looks rather nice, and while these watches are indeed getting very long in the tooth now they are none the worse for that.
Admittedly this isn't the most Earth-shattering of ideas and certainly not sufficient to awaken the (quartz hating) COCO... but still worthy of a mention I feel. It certainly illustrates how, for a relatively small amount of cash, you could buy a single watch and dress it up with different straps depending on how your mood takes you.
Maybe in the winter you prefer to stick with the steel bracelet or the blue rubber strap and in the summer you break out the bright orange? Or maybe you alternate the blue and orange all year long? Who knows, but I think for a buyer on a budget it would be a fun way to keep your watch interesting and without resorting to after-market straps (which somehow never quite look right).
Just please don't go buying your WAZ1010 or your CAZ1014 from eBay or one of those '100% Totally Authentic Swiss Watches Direct 4 U 2' kinda webstores. I know it's tempting, but honestly these are two of the most faked watches you will ever find and if you buy from either of these sources you are probably more likely to get unlucky than lucky, especially if the price is too good to be true.
Seriously, don't say I didn't warn you.
The watches are available now from the Watches of Switzerland website or any W.O.S. owned store or TAG Heuer boutique. Alternatively you can order the blue or orange straps separately for £140 each or if you already have a rubber strap and fancy a BA0842 bracelet that is £195.
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