There is a distinct possibility that what you are looking at here will, in a few short weeks, become the COCO Watch of the Year for 2024. Of course, it's not a foregone conclusion, because the TAG Heuer x Hodinkee Seafarer is bound to attract a decent number of votes, but based on the 'First Impression' scores, this is the watch to beat. Could it be true that after five years we finally get a proper, modern, TAG Heuer branded watch on the top step of the podium... and an Aquaracer (in this 20th anniversary year) at that?
Time will tell, but I will be keeping my fingers crossed for it because my personal 'Watch of the Year' (the diamond bezel Carrera CBN2A12) has zero chance of winning. Which, of course means I have a crisis of conscience to deal with - do I vote with my heart or with my head? Hmm...
Like the Seafarer, several members of the THF Forum have purchased this new limited edition (just 250 pieces, all individually numbered*) and it's not difficult to see why because it's easy on the eye - and for once the renders are actually pretty much spot on. I don't even mind the fact that 'Time & Tide' have put their logo on the (solar harvesting) dial; it's a smart looking logo, and while I wouldn't personally want the logo of any 'shop' or 'media company' on my watch dial, it could just as easily be the logo for a sailing club or something, so on this occasion I'm prepared to let it go.
* It's funny I saw a £200 'Elvis' watch that was 'individually numbered' the other day, so it can be done! 🤣
The NATO strap, of course, is a different matter... I've never met a watch on a NATO that I liked and while I do like the combination of the green with the blasted titanium and rose gold, for me I would have to purchase either a black rubber strap (£260 including the clasp) or the titanium bracelet (£520) which of course adds considerably to the initial purchase cost (£2700 or AUD$4450). Regardless I still think it would be worth it because why wouldn't you want the option of a bracelet?
I don't want to say too much about this one, firstly because I think the watch speaks for itself, and also because I know my good friend Ben is writing a 'Buying Experience' post about his 'Time & Tide' Solargraph which you will hopefully be able to read before Christmas.
But before we pass this one over to the 'Council of Considered Opinion' I thought you might like to see how this one looks on the aforementioned bracelet and rubber strap, so I did a bit of photoshopping for you...
Looks pretty good to me (despite my amateurish photoshop skills!), if only there was a 'military' green rubber strap suitable for this watch, that would be perfect.
Oh well, maybe at some point TAG Heuer will see fit to produce such a thing. In the meantime let's see how high the Council can push this one...
7/10: It's a cool watch. However, I still like the original all black Solargraph the best. Also, $3050 for solar quartz is steep, even factoring in the rose gold bits. For an additional $1575, I'd rather get the Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT, which has a similar vibe, a mechanical GMT movement and an overall look that I prefer. Having said that, the price isn't bad considering that this is a Limited Edition and the normal Ti and DLC Solargraphs are priced similarly.
9/10: A very beautiful watch. I like what T&T do in general. They always kept a positive attitude towards TAG Heuer. The rose gold looks nice, like bronze in this case. But it wont develop the awful patina of bronze. Also the NATO strap is beautiful and cool.
6.5/10: I want to like it more but there something not right but I don't know what!? I like the rose gold but it doesn't work with the bezel for me. Also very much not keen on that strap!
5.5/10: Nice looking watch, perhaps not my favourite in the line-up, plus I have no need of a Time & Tide logo on there.
9/10: A great release with subtle Time and Tide branding. I like the rose gold and grey. I also really like that they plated second hand is rose gold as well. It seems like a well thought out design.
8/10: Cool lume!
9/10: Stunning watch. Not quite warmed to the T&T logo location on the dial, but everything else about it is spot on.
7/10: I like the fact it’s a bit different, but I'm not sure on the rose gold retainers and buckle.
7/10: Not fan of the green strap, but a nice looking watch.
8/10: I like it. Not enough to even remotely consider spending that kind of money on a watch with this calibre and on a NATO strap; but enough to give it a 8/10 👍
8/10: Love the rose gold hands and markers against the black dial. The green strap also works surprising well with the watch. Only complaint is the bezel -- the rose gold engraving just doesn't have enough contrast against the grey surface.
7/10: I like it but wish they did more fun stuff with other lines and not just quartz Aquaracers.
9.5/10: I really like this one! A LOT! Not sure what it is, but definitely caught my eye. Probably the Solargraph element, black and gold together has always intrigued me, but the green NATO works so well too. Oh, and that Orange lume is amazing! Definitely WOTY for me. Enough that I broke my no watch purchase 2024 target!
7/10: I never seem to get NATO straps 100% comfy but, looks ok.
9/10: I like it. noticed that they made the date window black colour as well. And the theme oh Time + Tide logo really make cohesive design with the diving watch.
7/10: I think it’s quite nice 👍🏻
5/10: The watch itself is......OK but I hate the strap, it just looks really cheap. Even the rose gold details can't save it!
7/10: A very nice edition. Even for a solar watch!
7/10: I don’t like NATO straps (-0.5 points), but it’s still an interesting watch, and a properly numbered LE 👏🏼, so it’s a 7/10 for me
9/10: It's hard to get, but it's one of the products I want this year. I don't think the price is that high either, but I think TAG Heuer has been fishing the price up too much lately. The combination of rose gold and titanium is very nice. I can't decide what the right strap is for me, but the NATO strap gives it a military feel and it is cohesive.
I don't know if this is the right place to discuss this, but the recent price increases by TAG Heuer go against TAG Heuer's past philosophy and I feel like it is the beginning of the end. Tag Heuer prices should be less expensive and more accessible than other luxury watches. Besides, recently brands such as Tissot have been producing a series of inexpensive, high-performance watches.
The quality of the cheaper price range needs to be improved, and the higher price range needs to be brushed up more. Otherwise, there is no reason to buy a TAG Heuer and everyone will buy another brand of watch. Perhaps it is the beginning of the end. It will continue until it is no longer profitable and is cut off from the LVMH group.
Killer release. Bracelet is the winner, no doubt.
ReplyDelete100% but people persist with the NATOs anyway...
Delete