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Saturday, 2 July 2022

SPOTLIGHT ON: TAG Heuer Link Automatic 'Tiger Woods' Limited Edition Watch

WJF2114.BA0570

It's fair to say that the 'Link' series of watches doesn't get a lot of love these days, but back in the 00s the 'Link' was a pretty popular watch. Today the line has dwindled to a handful of pieces and seems destined for extinction or possibly retention only as a 'female' focussed range. Which is a shame really, but the seeds of change were perhaps sowed by Jean Claude Biver when he famously said in an interview that the 'Link' bracelet should just be a bracelet that could be used on other watches. Since then we've seen the famous bracelet used on several Formula 1 'Senna' models, but as for the Link range itself, except for a few ladies pieces there has been nothing new for years.


This one was sent to me by our Swedish correspondent Jim Dollares, he found it while browsing Chrono 24 and as you would expect, the 'King of Bling' (as he likes to call himself) was bewitched by the diamond bezel and twinkling dial.

I have to say, the dial is pretty damned cool actually, I'm not entirely sure what that style of texture is called, but it certainly catches they eye and I like the subtle use of Tiger Woods autograph in red over the 'Tiger Woods' text.


Looking around it seems that there was a plain bezel version (WJF2113: limited to 5500pcs) whereas this one, which features 64 diamonds totalling 0.91 carat, is limited to 350 pieces. The watch was originally purchased in 2008 (at the peak of Tiger's fame I guess), and features anti reflective coating on the sapphire crystal. Annoyingly there are no photographs of the back of the watch, but the WJF2113 has a solid backplate. This one is being sold as a chronometer, but I am not sure this is true. Generally speaking TAG Heuer gives the pre-fix 5 to chronometer certified movements, so I would expect this to be (for example) a WJF5113 if that were the case.


As I said, this watch is currently listed on Chrono 24, but I can't help feeling that the price is a little optimistic. The WJF2113 can be had online for about £1500, whereas this one is listed at a rather humungous 112,000 SKR. Okay, so it has a diamond bezel and yes it's in very nice condition, but that equates to over £9000. That is absolutely CRAZY and I really can't see anyone is going to be willing to pay that. For that money you could get a mint condition solid gold 6000 Series with a green dial, or a used Carrera Heuer 02 Tourillon!


But then again, I found another site which said the original list price was $6000 (which I can believe actually, I was looking at a 2009 price list the other day and I noticed a diamond edged Microtimer in there for $7000!) and you try finding another one of these for sale. It's not easy. Perhaps the 'Tiger Woods' factor is stronger than you might imagine with this one and that's keeping the price buoyant? Pity because I quite like it, but not at that sort of money...


LINK TO THE SALE ON CHRONO 24:

2 comments:

  1. The face is modeled after the dimples on a golf ball. I bought one new in 2006. And it is a daily wear time piece. I have had to do about 1800.00 of repairs over the last 18 years. Including cleaning , oiling and new seals. It still one of my favorite time pieces

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    1. Hi, welcome to the blog. Do golf balls look like that? My 'GOLF' dial looks more like a golf ball to me, but maybe different balls have different textures. A very cool watch regardless!
      Rob

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