If you like the idea of a post-Christmas bargain, but you've grown weary of yet another email from Beaverbrooks, Ernest Jones or Goldsmiths imploring you to take yet another look at the same twelve 'entry level' Aquaracers and Formula 1s they've been peddling since Boxing Day (or in some cases before Christmas), perhaps it's time to look beyond the big boys on the high street and investigate some of the independents who rather than bulk-buying 'window' watches for exactly these purposes, might actually be trying to shift some more interesting pieces at healthy discounts. Case in point, one of my two local AD's in Northampton, 'Michael Jones'.
Their window on Gold Street has a decent and somewhat surprising bounty of TAG Heuer watches just at the moment, which might be of interest to those of you living in the UK. I did actually take some photos on my iPod but I can't work out how to get them onto my computer, and they aren't really worth wasting too much time on when stock photos will do just as well.
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Top of the list, and most surprising of all for me is this Calibre 16 Formula 1 which has only been in store for a couple of months at the most. LIST PRICE: £2650 / OFFER PRICE: £1985
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Another relatively recent release (and one I believe I predicted would end up in a sale sooner or later) is this 2019 Indy 500 Formula 1 quartz. LIST PRICE: £1395 / OFFER PRICE: £1050
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With the news that Cara DeLavingne is on her way out as a TAG Heuer ambassador, I expect to see plenty of these in the sales and outlets over the next little while. Not sure if this list price is correct either, it seems high, but it's been removed from the TAG Heuer website and I can't find it new anywhere else. LIST PRICE: £3895 / OFFER PRICE: £2925
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Can't be 100% sure on this as I've only a photograph to go from, but it certainly looks like a CAR2A91 to me. LIST PRICE: £5395 / OFFER PRICE: £3895
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Again, I'm pretty sure this is the model they have, but I could be wrong.
LIST PRICE: £4100 / OFFER PRICE: £2995
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Rather surprised to see these Links in the sale, but on the other hand I'm not sure if they've really been that big a hit with the public. Beautiful watches, but as far as I can recall the only time I've seen anyone wearing one was when Colton Underwood was 'The Bachelor' (USA) and he wore a diamond bezel model every week. Fortunately for TAG Heuer he spent quite a lot of time with his head in his hands which meant the Link got a lot of on-screen time!
LIST PRICE: £3695 / OFFER PRICE: £2775
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They also have the non-chronograph version, which is obviously quite a bit more affordable.
LIST PRICE: £2450 / OFFER PRICE: £1835
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They also have a couple of Aquaracers which I think are WAY211As, the price certainly matches the TAG Heuer website. LIST PRICE: £2095 / OFFER PRICE: £1575
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Another very current ladies Formula 1, this one is two tone with hour marker diamonds and a mother of pearl dial. LIST PRICE: £1695 / OFFER PRICE: £1275
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This is one that I've featured in my Bicester Village reports, it's worth noting that while this looks like a good price, the Bicester price was £1470 (and as low as £1075 during their Christmas sale!) LIST PRICE: £2150 / OFFER PRICE: £1615
WAY131H.BA0914
Same story with this one actually, Bicester may well still have these at about £1330.
LIST PRICE: £1950 / OFFER PRICE: £1465
Michael Jones do also carry a fair stock of pre-owned watches, for example:
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This tasty Carrera Calibre 16 Monaco Grand Prix Limited Edition on a tyre tread rubber strap.
PRE-OWNED PRICE: £2950
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And this classic black PVD Grand Carrera.
PRE-OWNED PRICE: £2495
Of course Michael Jones isn't restricted to TAG Heuer, they also carry Omega, Longines, Rolex and Breitling, but the watch that catches my eye in the window every time I see it is this pre-owned Cartier Santos 100 in black PVD.
This is a watch I tried on in Watches of Switzerland on one of my trips to London and while I like it a lot and I know it's a considerable saving over the new price, I still struggle with the idea of parting with £4850 to make it mine. Besides, it will stick out like a sore thumb in my collection, so I'll probably just admire it from afar.
Well there we are, not sure how long the 'Winter Sale' goes on for, but here are the contact details for the store:
Michael Jones, 1 Gold Street, Northampton, NN1 1SA PHONE: (01604) 632548
Incidentally, you can mention my blog if you like but they probably won't have a clue what you are talking about. I have been in there a couple of times, I bought a rubber strap from them once and they polished my Microtimer for me (lovely job they made of that), but I haven't 'identified' myself to them as yet. :)
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