GALLERY: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre S

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

CAR2B80.FC6325

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

INTERVIEW: Pitfitter 446 (Calibre 11 Forum Member)

Today's guest is another Calibre 11 Forum regular and I'm sure you'll all recognise his avatar above (the much missed Archie), to you he's known as Pitfitter446, let's find out why?

Hello, I’m Martin, from Dunfermline, Scotland, I worked almost 30 years as a mechanical engineer in the coal mining industry and then landed in the motor trade in which I’ve done various things, now I’m getting bored again in my retirement...


It's nice (for me) to interview someone older than me, makes a change from all these whippersnappers, hahaha. So what started you on the watch path?

I’ve always had a thing for them, or at least mechanical things I could take to bits, although not always rebuild!


Ah yes, we've all been there... not so much with watches, with me it was guitars, but I get the idea. What was your first watch, or perhaps first 'good' watch?

My first watch had been my fathers, I unfortunately lost that although in my defence I may have been 11 or 12 at the time. I had various timepieces after that, I remember a Bulova and several Citizen digital, then one day in Edinburgh I spied a TAG in a window that was reduced and calling my name. As it happened I also knew the sales girl and so got an even better price and so gained my first TAG, a series 1000 full lume, still in use today, the wife was pleased, it kept me quiet, for a while anyway.

Condition now used! But approaching 40 years old.

Nice! I imagine that's a cherished piece, but is there an even more treasured watch in the collection?

My McQueen Monaco, or maybe a Disney Tigger watch my daughter bought me on a school trip many, many years ago.

I assume the Tigger watch is quartz, so how do you feel about quartz?

Quartz is fine by me, usually ready to wear at the correct time, willing to go at once, like a faithful dog? I’m not fussed that way if I like the style it’ll do, I may have to get a hybrid car a some point, heaven forbid, well there might be a couple of acceptable ones.


Okay, so what about the Connected..

No thanks, or any smart watch really, no rhyme or reason I can explain.


Do you have an inkling about what your next addition to the clan might be?

Oh, so many to pick from, don’t know, when I see it I’ll know, the specials for 50 years appeal but I have a Monaco so maybe a Monza, I do fancy a Bulgari Octo in the grey finish, not definitely a chrono but maybe, what’s out there? Another TH, who knows.

Is there a kind of 'money no object' grail piece that you have in mind?

I’ve seen and tried a Patek perpetual calendar that has my attention but at circa £100k it’ll have wait.


How does your wife feel about your watch collection, and how many watches is it acceptable to own?

I’m lucky my wife’s understanding about the need for more watches than wrists, I always promise to move one on to make room for the next but it hasn’t happened yet. In Madrid a couple of years ago it was her that decided I should have the MontBlanc I was trying, no logic there then. If it was food or a watch I might have a problem then... as for how many, well, how big a number can you think of? Serious though, when obsession takes over or there are more watches than you can can rotate then it may be time to take stock, not there yet.


This question often proves a little revealing, so have you ever 'sneaked' an expensive watch into the house?

No not yet, never felt the need, if she said no then I’d accept that, I wouldn’t want to have to train another wife at my time of life.


Heaven forbid! Hahaha. Have you ever bought or sold a watch and regretted it?

I bought a gold Rolex that was a bargain, but after two days decided it wasn’t for me, luckily my then sales manager has admired it too so it went way, for a slight profit too. My regret in the purchase soon disappeared then.

Well they always say Rolex is money in the bank! The watch industry has been regurgitating itself endlessly for about a decade now and TAG Heuer are playing their part, are you more drawn to re-issues of older pieces or modern pieces?

I really have no sway towards one or the other, no logic behind my preferences, re issues mean I could own a watch previously not available, whilst a new piece is, oooh new.


One question that usually divides my interviewees pretty much down the middle is next, so how do you feel about 'faux' aged lume on new watches?

If someone likes it why not, if it suits the style I’m fine with it.


In your opinion, why do you think TAG Heuer in particular seems to attract negativity from people who favour other brands?

Jealous of sales figures, brand awareness? Perhaps because they are available to all regardless of someone’s standing in life so no superiority feeling to others. Far too deep a question/answer for me, I like mine so and it’s my opinion that counts. :)


Bamford TAG Heuers are also not everyone's cup of tea, how do you feel about the collaboration?

Bamford? Mmmm, some look ok, others just don’t interest me, are they trying to see just how far they can go before bad taste kicks in?


What about limited editions and special packaging, is that something that influences/interests you?

Yes as long as they are special, not purely a monthly gimmick purely to keep sales going as the latest must have.


Are there any Heuers or TAG Heuers that you don't personally like?

Nothing that’s jumps to mind at present, none I’d refuse as a gift, or that I’m aware of so far. Not a huge fan of skeleton faces, or A Monopoly messed about with versions, sorry guys.


How would you like to see watch design progress?

I don't really want thinner cases or lighter materials. I like a large and/or heavy watch so really a longer power reserve and better long term accuracy; resistance to magnetism in today’s technology world and better shock resistance would be a plus for me.

Another subject that really divides people is two-tone, how do you feel about that?

I am wearing a two tone today in fact, a bit of bling if subtle does no harm.


Is there a TAG Heuer / Heuer you'd like to see re-issued?

Really hard to answer this, maybe I don’t know enough about TH’s past, maybe an update of their first ever watch, or, one that marked a milestone in Heuer or TH history, other than the Monaco?


We probably haven't seen everything as yet, but if you were in charge, how would you have celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Monaco?

We now know the anniversary editions but perhaps a memento to all registered Monaco owners, or if this weren’t possible to all owners who could provide a serial number.?


Speaking of the Monaco, what's your take on the square pusher vs round pushers debate?

I personally prefer the square pusher-I’ve broken/lost a button pusher and a crown in the past so I feel the square pushers are more secure to a careless guy like me, would it be too hard for TH to make the two model styles available to buyers, especially in big volume models.

That's a fair question I guess... but then, you could equally argue they should make Aquaracers available with both current and Mercedes hands, where do you draw the line? I guess it would make more sense to do it for the re-issues, like say if they ever made a 'new' Dark Lord, but the 50th Anniversary watches aren't re-issues, so my feeling is they are correctly made with square pushers.

You've already mentioned that you are a little bit clumsy, so dare I ask if you have a watch horror story?

On my first TAG I discovered that the date was out a day, reset it but I hadn’t screwed the crown in properly I my haste, I then washed a car pre-delivery, it was after when looking at my watch later I saw it was steaming up, water ingress, it never dried out properly and did stop, only recently did it get a fresh movement and get back in use, now I make sure my watch is waterproof or in my pocket when water is involved. Less haste, more speed is the motto.


We already know you've owned a Rolex and the Tigger watch, what other brands / watches do you own / appreciate?

Well, in addition to the TH I have a couple of Rado, a MontBlanc, a couple of Seiko, a Disney Tigger, an old Citizen quartz digital someplace, and a gold Bernex that was my stepfather’s 25 year gift from his employer. That’s it I think.


Over the years we've seen Ferrari flit from watch brand to watch brand, but they now seem to have settled with Hublot. Given Hublot's links to TAG Heuer, would you like to see a more affordable Ferrari watch made available, and given the popularity of the red Monaco maybe a variation on that theme?

Ferrari Monaco? No not for me, I’d need to own Ferrari to have a watch named Ferrari, hence no Breitling Bentley in the box, unfortunately, although I’m sure TH could find an alternative red to use as a regular model, Chianti red anyone?


And finally, who would you like to see TAG Heuer partner with as a brand ambassador?

Brand ambassadors, ok but only if they are TH buyers, not just walking adverts, I’m not influenced by celebrity X wearing/using an item into buying it. Stop spending on them and reduce prices, or give me one and I’ll tell anybody who will listen it’s great!


Well Martin, I really appreciate you taking the time to do this interview and I hope maybe we can do it again sometime...

SPOTLIGHT ON: New Arrivals at TAG Heuer Bicester Village

Call the Bicester Store on 01869 249008

Another large delivery of watches to the Bicester Village outlet store yesterday, as always some items will be limited to just one piece so please contact the store if you are planning to travel a long way.

CAG2011.BA0254 - SLR Calibre 17

List Price: £4550

BICESTER PRICE: £2960

CAW211C.FC6241 - Monaco Calibre 11

List Price: £5500

BICESTER PRICE: £3850

CV2A10.BA0796 - Carrera Calibre 16

List Price: £3850

BICESTER PRICE: £2695

CV2A11.BA0796 - Carrera Calibre 16

List Price: £3850

BICESTER PRICE: £2695

CV7A12.BA0795 - Carrera Calibre 16

List Price: £2550

BICESTER PRICE: £1785

WAJ2150.FT6015 - Aquaracer Calibre 5

List Price: £3700

BICESTER PRICE: £2590

WAK2110.BA0830 - Aquaracer Calibre 5

List Price: £2300

BICESTER PRICE: £1495

WAK211A.BA0830 - Aquaracer Calibre 5

List Price: £2600

BICESTER PRICE: £1690

WV2212.BA0798 - Carrera Automatic

List Price: £4550

BICESTER PRICE: £2960

CAR201W.FT6122 - Carrera Heuer 01

List Price: £4250

BICESTER PRICE: £2975

CAR201Z.FT6046 - Carrera Heuer 01

List Price: £4100

BICESTER PRICE: £2870

WAY1311.BA0915 - Aquaracer Quartz

List Price: £1200

BICESTER PRICE: £840

WV215D.BD0788 - Carrera Automatic

List Price: £3500

BICESTER PRICE: £2280

WAS2114.BA0732 - Carrera Calibre 6

List Price: £2800

BICESTER PRICE: £1960

FEATURE: TAG Heuer Manufacture Visit (One Year On)

It's a little over a year since my 25th Wedding Anniversary trip to Geneva, during which my wife and I were lucky enough to visit the TAG Heuer Manufacture in Le Chaux de Fonds (eternal thanks to David at Calibre11 who suggested and arranged the visit) where we were shown around the factory and the museum by our warm and friendly guide Paul Buchs. It was an incredible and incredibly unexpected experience (since it was arranged quite soon before the trip) and while Paul did say that we were welcome to return in the future and I would really love to go back, I'm not 100% sure if that will ever happen. Honestly, I can't quite explain the excitement I felt getting off the bus and walking through the car park, over the TAG Heuer logo printed on the tarmac and up to the front door, it was truly a surreal moment for li'l ole me!

I'm not much of a traveller to be honest, before last year we hadn't been overseas for over ten years... but we enjoyed this holiday to Geneva so much that we are considering returning to Switzerland and Zurich next year (we previously visited Zurich in 2005). Zurich is a good bit further away from La Chaux de Fonds than Geneva which makes it a bit impractical for a journey there (and it's probably too soon to ask for a revisit anyway), but we're looking forward to revisiting this beautiful city and perhaps revisiting the Rheinfalls at Schaffhuasen, which is the largest waterfall in Europe.

I recently posted my photos from our 2005 visit to my personal blog and when we were there last time there was a 'Bear Festival' going on with hundreds of decorated teddy bears everywhere, some of which (obviously) were themed with watches and two with Omega in particular.

I've actually just watched a video about Zurich which tells me it is the largest city in Switzerland, this confuses me slightly as I don't remember it as being that large and I would certainly not have thought it was as big as Geneva. Probably we only saw part of it last time then (we have a bit of a habit of doing things like that) so there should be plenty to see next time!

I'm sure most of you have read my post about my visit to the TAG manufacture and if you haven't then if you look to the right margin of the page you will see a big photo of the factory, just click on that and it will take you straight there.

I don't want to repeat myself too much, but it was a couple of hours that was filled with highlights, including seeing the watches being assembled, Alec Monopoly's studio, the design process and notably a 'Grand Monaco' prototype that never made it into production. But for me the museum was the absolute highlight; time flew by in that darkened room as my eyes wandered from one spectacular piece to another and another and another. For a confirmed 'TAG Heuer Enthusiast' like me you really couldn't imagine anything more thrilling!

This video of TAG Heuer ambassador and Formula E driver Jean Eric Vergne 

scooting round the manufacture makes me smile as it brings back so many memories.

I cannot overstate how beautiful Switzerland is, it's so incredibly clean and 'cared for' and a pleasure to walk around. I'm sure there are less beautiful parts that I haven't seen, but comparing the streets of London to the streets of Geneva is an eye opener for sure and I can't recommend a visit enough. And coming from someone who doesn't really like travelling much that's quite a statement!

The only thing I would say is that when we visited last year it was ten degrees hotter than it should have been, which did rather put a damper on the chocolate munching side of our trip... we were given some Goldkenn chocolates in the reception of TAG Heuer and by the time we got back to our hotel they were not just soft, they were liquid! So this time we will be going about a month later to make sure I can fully indulge my sweet tooth, so we'll probably end up getting snow!

Still, I can think of worse places to get snowed in! 

Hopefully you will forgive me the indulgence of this post, normal service will be resumed tomorrow, and on Sunday we have our next interview to look forward to, this time it's Calibre11 member Pitfitter446's turn in the spotlight.

GALLERY: TAG Heuer 6000 Series Quartz Chronograph

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Calibre 12 Monaco Review by Clockbait

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Chronograph

CAW2114.FT6021

TAG Heuer Boutique / Bicester Village, 19th September 2019

There is, I suppose, a fair chance that you may have seen this before, and perhaps your first thought was 'Wait, what... there's a Monaco on a rubber strap!', that certainly was my reaction and I must admit it is just slightly incongruous. But, having said that... close up it's not nearly as odd as you might think. Sure, I'm not crazy about this particular rubber strap's 'design', but it doesn't look as inherently wrong as you might assume. In fact, to my eyes it looks perfectly fine. I'm not sure what kind of rubber strap I would choose to fit if it was my decision to make, but the fact that TAG Heuer have fitted one at all shows that it can be done and relatively successfully. I can't recall seeing this strap fitted to any other watches, but a quick Google shows that you can get this on a few other Monacos, but no other model ranges and it looks like a straightforward switch out to fit to any 22mm lug width watch case.

Leaving the rubber strap to one side, this really is an excellent colour scheme (when did 'colour-way' become a thing exactly*?) for the Monaco and I know I'll probably be in the minority here but much preferable to the classic 'McQueen' blue to my eyes. Long term readers may remember a post I wrote detailing my 6 favourite Monacos and number one was a watch which looked very similar to this, albeit with a carbon fibre dial. This model would make a nice alternative to that and perhaps with a Hirsch carbon fibre strap with some red trim it could look rather special for a bit less money... Hmm, there's a tempting idea!

*According to Google it was 1950, although it's current usage apparently peaked in 2009.

Around the back it's your typical display case back and a matching steel clasp, and the great thing about this being a Calibre 12 of course is that you get a nice subtle TAG Heuer logo rather than the rather unsubtle, HEUER logo as found on the recent Gulf variant. I don't know whether I'm getting used to the square case or what, but I actually thought this looked smaller than I expected. I'm assured it is 39mm, but I was surprised, especially with it having a steel case (the black ones usually trick you into thinking they look smaller).

I think I may have found my perfect Monaco here, I just hope one turns up at Watchfinder sometime and I can trade my CF1112 Aquaracer in for it (assuming it doesn't sell on eBay in the meantime). If you fancy this one then Bicester village have this one reduced from £4350 down to £3045, but rubber strap or not, you might want to jump on this because I'm sure it won't hang around.

EDIT: Of the three delivered last week, two have already been sold, and incidentally Watchfinder do have one of these, but it's £300 more pre-owned!


Read about my top six favourite Monacos by clicking the link below:
https://tagheuerenthusiast.blogspot.com/2018/04/feature-my-top-five-monacos.html

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Monaco 50th Anniversary 1999-2009

CAW211Y.FC6469

It seems like forever since the release of the 'concrete' dialed CAW211X (1989-1999) Monaco and that one defied all expectations when we finally got to see close up, real-life photographs of that dial. Somehow I don't think this 1999-2009 model will create the same kind of stir. To me this one looks the most 'retro' of the four that have been released so far, and definitely more so than the upcoming 2009-2019 model (CAW211Z... Google is your friend).

I guess somewhere along the way this slow burn release schedule had to flounder, and I'm afraid this is where they've hit the 'diminishing returns' button for me. For a start I really don't like the way those chronograph subdials intrude onto the minute track, which in itself is a bit weird... I mean, the Monaco is the quintessential square watch, so putting a bold white circle on the dial like that just doesn't really make any sense to me. Monacos are always a delicate balance between square dial and round face, and it's usually carried off well, but here it clashes.... badly. I don't know, maybe someone thought 'It's about the 00s, so maybe we need a big 'O' right there on the dial'... or am I perhaps thinking just a little too literally here?

It's rare that black and red doesn't strike the right chord, but for me there's just too much white on that dial (and even more on the strap) for it to chime with me. It seems a shame that after three strikingly original and downright unusual Monacos in this series, it should go slightly off the rails now with such an uninspiring piece. But then beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I'm told that Oxford Street has pre-allocated all the watches it's due to receive, so maybe it's just me. On the other hand, apparently the Tokyo boutique has found no takers for this one... so maybe not.

I've been consistently told that every one of these new Monacos so far has looked better in person than in photos (and the first three looked great in the photos) so maybe you have to actually see it, but since that's not likely to happen I can only go off of the photos and sadly I have to say I'd take a CAW2114 instead, more on that tomorrow...

EDIT: Looking at this in some of the pictures that are now being released, it doesn't look quite so bad... I think the main problem is it has followed three real big hitters and the comparison has not done it any favours. Maybe if this one had been released first it would have been a different story.

Having said that, close up shots reveal these atrocious red/orange minute markers which have put me right off it again!

GALLERY: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 500M Quartz Watch

FIRST SIGHTING: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Quartz Chronograph

CAZ101Y.BA0842

Michael Jones / Northampton, 23rd September 2019

Just a short post this morning while we wait for the new Monaco to be revealed at 1pm today... come back later for my take on that.

So this is one that I found a few months ago on one of those Czech websites that publish everything the minute they get wind of it (embargoes be damned) and so of course I enquired about it and again I was told it wasn't released yet so I sat on it, forgot about it... and the next thing I know it's in my local AD (can you tell I'm getting a little bit frustrated with these embargoes)!

What I don't understand is how it got released without me noticing, I mean it's not like I don't look at watch sites constantly. Maybe nobody thought it was worth talking about, but you'd have thought TAG Heuer themselves would have 'announced' it somewhere, wouldn't you?

Okay, so what can I say about this one? Well, it's not the best looking watch I've ever seen and it does look very chunky and very metallic. It's definitely not a 'dressy' watch in any shape or form, in fact it conjures up a slightly unfortunate 'betting shop chic' image in my head, which is perhaps unfair but a tad amusing nonetheless. 

Doubtless the chunkiness is at least partly because of the very industrial looking steel bezel, but also down to the coloured dial edge which tricks the eye into thinking that the central (black) dial is smaller than it really is. This is similar in fact to the Aquagraph, which also exhibits the same visual trickery (albeit there it's because the bezel is quite thick but also smaller than the case), but this illusion can also make the watch appear thicker - which is not always a welcome side effect. Speaking of that coloured outer rim, the red there is a fair bit darker than this render suggests, which is a shame as it's definitely not as striking as I'd hoped. Actually it's similar in that regard to some previous Formula 1's with red edged dials like the rather underwhelming CAU1116 for example.

Searching online has drawn a complete blank as regards actual photographs, Chrono 24 couldn't help me and even the TAG Heuer website doesn't have a single proper photograph of this watch; no wonder there's such a 'buzz' about it! Oh well, I might as well tell you that the list price is £1250, it has an estimated two year battery life and rhodium plated indexes. No really, battery life, that's what it's come to. 

Are you excited now? Didn't think so... see you later for the new Monaco.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 (Green Dial)

WAY2015.BA0927

A couple of days ago I sat down and attacked the mess that was my blog. Behind the scenes were piles of disorganised posts, some merely ideas, some half started, some half finished, and all in a complete jumble. It took me a good couple of hours but now everything has been organised properly and I know which posts I need to work on first and which can be done later. In the process I found posts that I thought I'd actually completed and posted, and in this particular case which needed rewriting from scratch.

So here we are.... 

I've been aware of the new greeen dial Aquaracer since the start of June, when A Blog to Watch leaked this image on their 'Instagram Stories' (whatever that is). I only found out about it because it was reposted to the Calibre 11 forum and subsequent attempts to find the original post came to nothing (something about Instagram 'stories' only stay up for a few hours/days... I don't know, what is this obsession with impermanence these days, it's like everybody clicking on Hodinkee six times a day in case they release a limited edition Omega Speedmaster and oh no, you missed it because all 500 pieces sold in 13 seconds). ARGH!

Anyway, because some of us have scruples, I enquired with TAG about this and was told it wasn't out until September, so I sat on it and then... well, I certainly didn't forget about it, because it's very much at the forefront of my mind (more of which later), but I started the post and then forgot that I hadn't finished and posted it. Not at all the same thing... 

Admittedly I haven't seen this new Aquaracer in the flesh yet, and there is of course the potential for disappointment. But going off the pictures I really want one of these, indeed until the end of July I was planning on having one for my 50th birthday next month, but then a 'too good to miss' Carrera turned up a Bicester village and that threw everything up in the air (and that's another story I've neglected to post!), so now I have to save for this myself.

You may remember a little while back I did a post about green dial watches and at the end I said there were two green dial TAG Heuer's on the way, well this is one of them and there's still no sign of the other one; but I know this is the green dial TAG that I want, and if the green is as vivid as it looks in these pictures, then I'm not sure I'm going to be able to wait for the saving to bear fruit!

I honestly think this is a great move from TAG Heuer, green dials are the flavour of the month anyway, but even if they weren't surely this will shift some serious units. Blue is fine, but dark blue Aquaracers are ten a penny, this is definitely the one to show a little individualism (at least until green becomes ubiquitous I suppose), and as it happens my wife feels the same way.

Fortunately for her, TAG Heuer have also launched a ladies version of the watch, albeit only one model and with a quartz movement and diamond hour markers. My wife was disappointed that the ladies model doesn't have the slatted dial, but she got over it because: diamonds.

WBD1316.BA0740

So not only do I have to save for my own green Aquaracer, but now she wants this for her 50th too! Still I can't really grumble since she has enabled me with a superb titanium Carrera, which, as I said, will be posted about soon. 

Price wise, both watches are showing on the TAG Heuer website at £1750, and both are in stock in the Oxford Street boutique right now, it's a pity I won't be going to London for a few weeks yet, but maybe they'll start appearing more locally in the meantime and I can get an 'On the Wrist' post up and running.

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Quartz Alarm Watch

WAP111Z.BA0831

TAG Heuer Boutique / Bicester Village, 19th September 2019

Here's something I haven't seen in the outlets before, and honestly I don't think it will stick around for long at the price (£880 reduced from £1350). This is a lovely little watch, and that might be a deal breaker for some people because it's 39mm and it does look a bit wee if you are used to the 41mm or 43mm Aquaracers. That said, I was wearing a 38mm S/EL so it didn't really bother me and it's certainly not small enough to draw comment unless you are an 8" wristed giant, and even then...

I guess the main thing which might be a factor in deciding whether you like this one or not is the 'lop-sided' nature of the dial. I don't mind it, but I notice on the newer replacement model they've made the running seconds sub dial more obvious and in fact it gives the impression of a chronograph (which is, I'm sure, exactly why they've done it). I like that this has a 'grand date', it's very legible (unlike on some of the Grand Carreras actually) and TAG Heuer made a good choice here making the date wheels black with white text I think.

I'm not sure, but I assume this is only a 12 hour alarm, so if you rely on this to wake you up in the morning then it probably goes off at 6:30PM as well, but I guess you can work with it. The red tips on the alarm hands certainly make it easy to see them and gives a welcome splash of colour to an otherwise monochrome dial.

Despite it's slightly diminutive size, I thought this looked good on the wrist and I would be more than happy to wear it. The piece is waterproof to 300M, so more than capable of taking a dip in the local swimming pool without fear of water ingress (no chance of that with your fancy minute repeaters!). If this is still in store three days after I tried it on I would be very surprised, so definitely give them a ring before making a journey if you're interested as I think they only had one on this delivery. I can't honestly say that I was 'tempted', but that's more because I'm trying to save rather than a reflection on the watch itself. I'm sure someone will snap this up and enjoy it every day, at this price it would be silly not to.

GALLERY: A Selection of Images from TAG Heuer Bicester Village 19th September 2019