ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Bullhead Collection

CAR2C90.FC6341      CAR2C12.FC6327      CAR2C11.FC6327

TAG Heuer Boutique / Bicester Village, 22nd July 2019*

Outlet shopping is, by definition, a mixed bag. On the one hand you inevitably find the less spectacular high production pieces that have reached the end of their run, plus perhaps the models that haven't sold quite as well as hoped, but on the other hand you also get the opportunity to view some very unusual limited editions and also some very desirable high-end pieces. For example, ordinarily, you would be lucky to find one TAG Heuer Carrera Bullhead in any jewellers anywhere, but at Bicester Village you are spoilt for choice with not one, not two, but three on display! Naturally, it would have been a crime to pass the opportunity up, so I got all three on my wrist and here are my thoughts...

CAR2C12.FC6327

If you've already seen a Bullhead Carrera, chances are it's this one, the CAR2C12 features a PVD coated titanium case sitting on a fine brushed stainless steel cradle. The TAG Heuer website describes it as having steel 'lugs' but that's not entirely correct as to me that suggests it is similar to the Heuer 01 Carrera with its 'modular' construction. Here the titanium case sits on the steel cradle, and gives the impression of a stopwatch mounted on a 'base'; it is also angled slightly towards the wearer making it easier to read, but at the same time making the watch slightly bulky on the wrist and definitely not something to be worn discreetly. All the Bullheads feature this same design trait, the main differences then come from the case materials and dial designs. 

All three Bullheads measure 45mm in diameter, so again, definitely on the larger side and the CAR2C12 has a nominally 'black' dial with silver hands, numerals and subdial rings, this is accentuated with red detailing on the tips of the chronograph second, minute and hour hands. The running seconds is at the '6' position although it isn't immediately noticeable as it doesn't have a conventional subdial, I quite like this approach, especially as the date window is also at the '6' position and this layout can also be found on the new Heuer 02 Monaco. The date wheel is also black and shows that while the inner dial is described as 'black', it's rather more of a metallic dark grey than black, but then this helps split up the large dial and creates another level of interest.

Bullhead ownership doesn't come cheap, and as such this one could be described as the 'entry-level' model, but much like a Ferrari Portofino, it's still a chunk of change. Indeed, at list price (£6195) this is comparable to my 'pick of 2019' the carbon Carrera Heuer 02... here though, it's more akin price wise to a regular Heuer Autavia Heuer 02 at £4335.

CAR2C11.FC6327

TAG Heuer fans are inevitably drawn to anything carrying the 'Jack Heuer' name, such is the esteem in which the man is held, and it has to be said, the brand always seem to come up with the goods for Mr Heuer and this is no exception. I love that the dial is split more obviously here, providing contrast between the inner and outer rings and also those black subdials. I also think the baton style hour markers were a great choice as while I do like the Arabic style numerals when they are mirror finished they do become awfully hard to see from certain angles. The red chronograph second hand provides a welcome splash of colour as does the 'Tachymetre' text on the rehaut, and though it's hard to see in the render above the very tips of the subdial hands are also crimson.

My only slight niggle here is the white date wheel, obviously it would have been nicer in silver, but if it has to be white or black then white was definitely the way to go. Price wise the 'Jack Heuer Calibre 1887' carries a 10% premium over the base model and a list price of £6650, although the chances of finding one of these new is now very slim (of the three this is the only one not still featured on the TAG Heuer website). At Bicester village however you can pick this one up new with a 2 year warranty for £4655.

CAR2C90.FC6341

Finally we come to the most expensive of the three bullheads on display, the carbon fibre cased CAR2C90. This one shares the overall aesthetic of the CAR2C12, but with a black carbon dial (notably the TAG Heuer website says 'black carbon' rather than 'carbon effect'). I do like this one, and of the three it would probably be my pick, but then I always have had expensive tastes! Well, I say if you're going to have a Bullhead, you might as well go for it... and while the CAR2C90 shares the same issues of legibility with the CAR2C12, it's inately cooler so I am perhaps more inclined to forgive it some slight shortcomings.

I guess you would get used to it, but it is a bit odd having no protrusions on the right hand side of the case and the angled setting of the watch does make for an unusual on the wrist experience (obviously this goes for all three models), the CARC290 is undoubtedly very cool, but also carries a rather hefty price tag... list price for this model in 2020 is £8250, however our friends at Bicester Village can supply this watch at a significantly more affordable £5775, leaving a spare £2.5k for a 500M Aquaracer perhaps...? 

I do like these watches, but I'm not quite as gung-ho on the Bullheads as some people on the Calibre 11 Forum. I do struggle to think when I would be likely to wear such a watch, but reason that I would be quite happy to own one even if I never actually strapped it on my wrist... I mean just look at that picture above, how luscious is that carbon case? Sadly it's a little beyond my means at present, perhaps it's time I started doing the lottery again.... :)

*Although I tried these watches on back in July 2019 I have checked with the store and all three pieces (albeit probably not the ones I photographed) are still available. Please disregard the prices shown in the main picture, as they have gone up slightly while this post has been languishing in my 'to do' file.

If you fancy a Bullhead for your collection, please call the store on 01869 249008.