ON THE WRIST: Monza Calibre 17 40th Anniversary (CR2080.FC6375)

CR2080.FC6375

Ernest Jones / Birmingham Bullring 4th October 2016

This was the second time I had seen the Monza 40th Anniversary, but my first chance to actually try it on. Initial impressions were good, the watch stands out from the pieces around it by virtue of it's unusual case design and the black PVD coating lends it a modern twist, which is most welcome. The touches of red on the face and the second hand pop nicely and the whole design just works really well. 

The watch sits nicely on the wrist and isn't as tall as I perhaps expected. The curved edges make it flow better with the arm than a Monaco (which as much as I like them, do seem to jar due to the square shape) and TAG seem to have done a great job modernizing an old design for 2016.

It's slightly disappointing that the watch doesn't have a glass caseback, I think for the price you would pretty much expect that feature, but the back is still very nice with a red Heuer logo in the middle, 'Monza' above in white and the limited edition number below. Strange that it doesn't say how many (as in XXXX of XXXX) and I don't seem to be able to find that information either. I have a feeling it was a limited run of 4000 but common sense tells me that could be a mix up with the price.

Overall, while I like the watch I do have one major reservation, the strap. It's horrible. I know it's a Heuer not a TAG Heuer, and as such it's a retro piece, but they've done such a great job of updating the design it seems a colossal shame to put it on such a dated strap. If I was to purchase this watch the first thing I would do would be to switch out the strap for something more modern. I hesitate to say a rubber strap, because I'm not sure that would be the ideal choice, but certainly something with a more modern edge.

While the strap doesn't agree with me, I have to say the clasp is nice, with a push button release mechanism. I kind of expected this watch to have an old-fashioned buckle, but again the clasp lends it a modern feel and is nicely branded with the Heuer logo and like the case is black PVD coated titanium.

Size 42mm

Price £4000

Power reserve 38hrs

LINKS:

http://www.calibre11.com/first-look-2016-heuer-monza-calibre-17-40th-anniversary/

http://www.horologyme.com/2016/06/review-heuer-monza-calibre-17/

ON THE WRIST: Aquaracer 300M Calibre 5 Black (WAY218A.FC6362)

WAY318A.C6362

Ernest Jones / Birmingham Bullring 4th October 2016

I tried this model on at the same time as the Monza 40th and I must say I was slightly surprised by how small it seemed on the wrist. Sure it is 1mm smaller than the Monza, but unlike that piece I actually held the Aquaracer against the F1 that I was wearing to compare the sizes. I wouldn't say the size was a dealbreaker (I'm sure I would get used to it after all) but I would certainly consider the 43mm chronograph version as an option, albeit that is obviously rather more expensive.

Having tried on a modern ceramic bezel Aquaracer in the not to distant past, the first thing that struck me was the new nylon strap. I think it's fair to say I am not a particular fan of it, which is a shame because these things seem to be sneaking up here there and everywhere (even on a Monaco I saw in the same store). To me it just doesn't fit with a luxury watch somehow and I much preferred the rubber strap with the yellow back fitted  the WAY211A.FT6069. Still I suppose there would be nothing to stop me ordering a 'FT6069' strap and swapping them over, and that's probably what I would do because I have to say I definitely prefer the black case on this model.

As before the yellow on the second hand adds a nice touch of colour and even though it's quite small and therefore relatively subtle, it definitely adds something as you surely notice the difference on the models without it. The yellow stitching on the strap is a nice touch, but it still doesn't make up for the rather odd texture and I think the yellow on the back of the rubber strap pops a lot more.

My other issue is the cyclops, I just don't really like them that much... but maybe I could get used to it? 

This review sounds rather negative, which is unfair, because I do like the watch, but could I justify the extra £400 for the black case AND the extra (£???) to get the rubber strap as well. I don't think so. It seems a bit of a no brainer to me that they should release this watch with that strap and if they do I would certainly be seriously considering it, until then I think I'd probably go with the WAY211A instead. 

Size 41mm 

Price £2250

Power Reserve 38hrs

LINKS:

http://www.tagheuer.co.uk/int-en/luxury-watches/aquaracer/aquaracer-300m-calibre-5-black-version-41-mm-black-skeleton-steel-bracelet

http://www.calibre11.com/in-depth-review-aquaracer-300m-ceramic-bezel-calibre-5/