FEATURE: Something to be Aware of When Buying 6000 Series Bracelets

The 6000 series bracelet is a very complex beast made up of many parts combined to produce a very dramatic and expensive looking design... but when buying a 6000, even one in otherwise excellent condition, it's worth checking the individual bracelet links for wear.

I've had my blue dial 3 hander for a good while now and the bracelet is pretty much perfect, so I was somewhat disappointed when I bought my silver faced chrono 6000 to find that the bracelet had a slight issue with a couple of the links. The bracelet isn't intended to be as solid as a Kirium (which holds it's shape completely when off the wrist) but neither is it supposed to 'collapse' like a 4000 does. What seems to happen is that the links are designed to move so far to provide the flexibility to shape to the wrist, but they are not supposed to move further. But if they wear they can, and then you might get a situation where the individual links can stick out slightly.

Generally speaking, once it's on the wrist it doesn't seem to be a huge problem, but then my wrists are quite big - if you have a small wrist and the individual links are extended further then you could well have issues.

Fortunately, the seller I bought my 6000 chrono from has behaved impeccably, not only has he replaced the links that are faulty (and one of those meant replacing a whole shoulder) but he also refunded me the postage cost. It's certainly made me feel better about maybe paying slightly over the odds for the watch and I now have the pristine example I was expecting in the first place!

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer WAP2011 Review by Watch On

STATE OF THE COLLECTION: December 2018

I think my 'collection' actually started even before I bought my first TAG watch. I remember when I first got serious about getting myself a decent watch, I went into Goldsmiths and had a look and walked out with a 2004 catalogue. It was in that catalogue that I first clapped eyes on the Formula 1 Kirium and I knew that was the one I wanted. Of course, the catalogue wasn't priced and so it was a bit of a shock when I discovered how much the watch that I really, really wanted was!

But I saved some more until I get myself into a position to get the one I really wanted, which was a good lesson (and one that I sorely regret compromising when I bought my Grand Carrera GMT) for a new collector. Although, at the time I didn't know I was going to be a collector, I just thought I was buying one watch. And indeed for nearly ten years the Formula 1 Kirium was my only decent watch.

So obviously that catalogue has sentimental value to me, and I find it really disappointing when I compare the old catalogues to the ones from the last few years. Yes I know it's all on the internet, but the online website changes as things become discontinued, if there was a section on the website showing all the models that are no longer in production it wouldn't be so bad, but as it is these old catalogues are goldmines for collectors and enthusiasts. Imagine in twenty years if someone picks up a 2017 TAG Heuer catalogue, they'll be under the impression that there was only about 5 Carreras in the range (rather than the actual figure of 2,497).

But anyway, the purpose of this post isn't to moan about the new catalogues, it's about sharing with you guys all the things I've picked up over the years. So let's begin with the watches, since that's what this is all really about!

01. FORMULA 1 QUARTZ (383.513/1)

02. 3000 SERIES TWO TONE QUARTZ (934.206)

03. 4000 SERIES QUARTZ (WF1111-0)

04. S/EL QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPH TWO TONE (CG1120)

05 6000 SERIES QUARTZ (WH1115-K)

06. 6000 SERIES QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPH (CH1110.BA0675)

07. 2000 EXCLUSIVE TWO TONE QUARTZ (WN1153.BD0341)

08. MICROTIMER (CS111C.FT6003)

09. KIRIUM QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPH (CL1112)

10. FORMULA 1 KIRIUM  (CL111A.BA0700)

11. AQUAGRAPH (CN211A.BA0353)

12. GRAND CARRERA GMT CALIBRE 8 (WAV5111.BA0901)

13. AQUARACER CHRONOTIMER (CAF1010.BA0821)

14. AQUARACER CALIBRE S (CAF7013.BA0815/FT8011)

15. AQUARACER QUARTZ 500M (WAJ1111.BA0870)

16. CARRERA HEUER 01 (CAR2A1Z.FT6044)

Next up let's take a look at the catalogues. Unfortunately as yet I don't have all the catalogues, but I have managed to amass quite a few, mostly from eBay alongside a few more modern ones from just asking in authorised dealers.

17. The Catalog 2012-2013

18. The Catalog 2014-2015

19. The Catalog 2011-2012

20. The Catalog 2009-2010

21. The Catalog 2013-2014

22. Grand Carrera Hardback Catalogue (2008)

23. Selection Catalogue 1992/1993

24. Selection Price List 1992

25. The Catalog 1999-2000

26. The Catalog 2002-2003

27. The Catalog 2015-2016

28. 2005-2006 Catalogue.

29. 2006 Price List.

30. The Catalog 2004

31. Price List 2004

 

32. 2006-2007 Catalogue

33. 6000 Series Catalogue

34. The Catalog 2016-2017

35. The Catalog 2017-2018

These are not actually 'catalogues' as such, but other publications that I've managed to pick up.

36. 'Action' Paperback (2018)

37. 'Action' Paperback (2017)

38. Grand Carrera Hardback Book and Slipcase

39. Lady Link Pamphlet

40. Motorsport Booklet 2016

41. Motorsport Booklet 2015

42. The Art of Manufacturing Booklet 2014

43. Promotional Pamphlet 2001

44. Promotional Pamphlet 1992

45. TAG Heuer Factory Visitors Booklet 

46. Motorsport Booklet 2018

Recently I've managed to get hold of two TAG Heuer books, Mastering Time and 150 Years. The film cover for the Mastering Time one is a bit of a mess but the book itself is fine (and I got it for next to nothing), the 150 Years one was bought still in it's shrinkwrap and is obviously in 'new' condition.

47. 150 Years Anniversary Book

48. Mastering Time Book

49. Mastering Time Supplement

So now lets take a look at some other things that I've picked up. These are mostly gifts I think, but a few of them (like the watch stand) have been purchased from eBay.

50. Drinks Container with Carabiner

51. Baseball Hat

52. Ballpoint Pen

53. Notebook

54. Watch Travel Carrier

55. Service Watch Case

56. Watch Stand

57. Heuer Scarf

58. Umbrella

59. Holdall.

These are this years and last years Christmas cards...

60. Christmas Card 2017

61. Christmas Card 2018

My TAG Heuer shades, which I took to Switzerland this year and unfortunately scratched one of the lenses. :(

62. Ayrton Senna Sunglesses

And my TAG Heuer wallet which my wife purchased from Bicester Village and gave me last Christmas.

63. Wallet

While this isn't 'official' in any way, this is quite a treasured possession as it is the photobook I made using the pictures I took when I visited the TAG Heuer factory and museum this year.

64. Museum Visit Photobook

Finally, I have a wooden block which definitely isn't 'official' and a lapel badge which probably isn't either... but still, pretty cool!

65 & 66. Wooden Block and Lapel Badge

Well, there we are. Sorry I didn't put things into a bit of a better order, next year I will organize myself a bit more efficiently. Amazingly I managed to get all of this (bar the umbrella and the watches) into one VERY large plastic box. But that said, it's pretty full and I know there's a catalog waiting for me in the post when I get back to work in January, and who knows what other things I'll pick up over the next twelve months. It may be that I need to invest in another box at some point, either that or a bigger house with a room I can turn into a TAG Heuer shrine. :)