VIDEO: TAG Heuer Monza 50th Anniversary Chronograph by Monochrome Watches

 

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Monza Carbon Flyback by Swiss Watch Expo

 

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Autavia Heuer 02 Flyback Chronograph by Brent Miller Time

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Autavia Heuer 02 Flyback Chronograph

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Way back in March 2019 a Czech website called Hodinky.Koscom posted pictures of a bunch of TAG Heuer Autavia chronographs, including this one alongside the black and silver versions which were released early last year. I'm 85% sure there were more than three but I don't recall what the other ones looked like and sifting through my records produced nothing but a slew of broken JPGs. Typical. 

Suffice to say that this watch is already nearly four years old, which is kinda crazy. One of the reasons for this perhaps, is that these watches were originally supposed to carry the Isograph carbon hairspring which was originally launched in the three hand Autavia range and then subsequently recalled and discontinued as in practice the technology did not work well with the (rebranded Sellita) Calibre 5 movements. And then of course there was the global pandemic... 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Monza Carbon Heuer 02 Flyback Chronograph

 

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Well this is different, isn't it? But is it good different? Or bad different? I'm pretty sure if you ask people who like the 'classic' Monzas you're probably not going to get the most positive responses, and that's  rather borne out in the comments at the foot of the page... but does that matter? Because clearly this is not aimed at someone who cherishes their Calibre 36 gold cased Monza, but rather a (possibly) younger customer who wants their own take on the Monza, but with a modern slant and more on-trend materials.

And so was born the carbon Monza, a slightly curious choice to be fair, but I suppose they'd already done the carbon Monaco with George Bamford back in 2017 and what better way to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the Monza? It is somewhat perverse that TAG Heuer wish to be edgy and avant garde, but they choose to do it with a watch case that was born in the 1960s, but that's the watch industry for you - new cases and model names are death to sales, so this is what we get instead. 

HISTORY: TAG Heuer Autavia (2003 / 2017-)

 

The modern Autavia has had a bit of a troubled life, being resurrected in 2003 but failing to find traction and disappearing almost immediately. It wasn't until 2017 until the Autavia name was seen again, and this time (with a bit of Mr Biver magic) it managed to stick around a little longer. Even then, once the world had got used to the Autavia TAG Heuer decided (once again) to use the name on a watch that bore no resemblance to anything that had gone before and rather predictably it didn't go down all that well with the 'enthusiasts', which is a shame because the three handed pilot Autavia is actually quite a nice watch. Now, as I'm writing this in January 2022 we've just seen a further expansion of the Autavia line with two flyback chronographs and a GMT, once again resurrecting the Autavia as a chronograph... what's next? I have no idea... probably a 50mm carbon Autavia on a calfskin Bund!

Right, brief history lesson over, let's have a look at what's gone on...

Note, all Autavia watches are automatic (no quartz pieces)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Autavia 60th Anniversary Flyback Chronographs and GMT

 

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I literally don't know where to start with writing this post, I really don't. So, a quick 'catch up' for those not well versed in the history of the model. The Autavia was originally launched in the 60's and was briefly brought back to life about fifteen years ago with a TAG Heuer dial and disappeared again almost as quickly as it appeared. Nothing more was heard of the Autavia until 2016 when (then TAG Heuer CEO) Mr Jean Claude Biver announced the Autavia was being resuscitated once more, only this time in a regular 42mm case with an in-house chronograph movement and (importantly for the cognoscenti) a 'Heuer' dial.

Autavia fans seemed largely happy with this (apart from the usual moaning about it being too big and too thick) and for a while all was well. Then we started to see some special editions, including the JH85, Calibre 11, UAE, Hodinkee 'Orange Boy' and 'Viceroy' all of which were well received. But then at Baselworld 2018 pictures were leaked of some pretty woeful looking three handed Autavias, including a particularly ropey looking GMT and about a year or so later we started to hear that maybe the 2017 Heuer 02 chronograph was being discontinued.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 36 Chronograph Review by WatchBox Studios

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 36 'Racing' Flyback Chronograh

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TAG Heuer Boutique / Bicester Village, 19th September 2019

I remember trying this watch on years and years ago, way before my blog was even an idea. Back then these were a good bit dearer, I believe the list price might even have been as high as £8000 back then, but there was a period a few years ago when these and the other flyback Carreras had a repositioning of price which meant the prices dropped considerably. This means that today you can pick one of these up brand new with a two year warranty for just £4200.

As you can see from my photo, this one gives the impression of being quite a big, imposing watch, but it's actually only 43mm in diameter and 14.5mm thick. Big enough for most people admittedly but still a good bit smaller than the original Heuer 01s. I've always loved the Arabic 'minute' numerals that feature on some TAG Heuer Carreras, but here, like on some other watches I've mentioned in the past, we have them finished with reflective surfaces which make them all but useless in many lights. The hands too aren't exactly legible, which is a pity, but then if you enjoy a semi-phantom aesthetic then this could definitely be one for you.

Inside the case, the watch features the Calibre 36 movement, otherwise known as the 'Zenith El Primero' and in this instance not only is this a chronograph, but it's also a flyback chronograph. I can't really think why I would ever need a flyback chronograph, but it's undeniably cool to watch the hand fly back and start timing the next event immediately as soon as you press the lower of the two pushers mounted on the right hand side of the case.

As far as I can tell the strap is unique to this particular model and it's pretty stylish, bringing to mind the sort of texturing you might find on a seat in a high end Porsche or other European supercar. I must admit the all black look is quite cool, with just a few tiny details picked out on red on the dial. It doesn't feel particularly Carreraish though, it's more of a stand alone product to me. Even more than the standard Calibre 36 Flyback models, which themselves have something of a unique and instantly recognisable design about them.

I like this, but I want to like it more than I actually do. I think this watch is probably more suited to someone who is more into the functionality and technological prowess of a watch, whereas I am much more swayed by the design and aesthetic. Hard to believe, but I find this one just a little too black... I'm itching to switch out the hands and hour markers for some bright white ones even though I know it would probably look an absolute dogs dinner.

If you are taken with it though, I'm sure the good people at TAG Heuer's Bicester Village outlet would be more than happy to furnish you with one, and you can contact them on 01869 249008

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 36 Flyback Racing by WatchBox Studios

VIDEO: Carrera Calibre 36 Racing Chronograph review by A Blog to Watch

VIDEO: Jeff Stein on the TAG Heuer Flyback Carrera