BUYING EXPERIENCE: TAG Heuer Keyring, Plaque & International Watch Magazines

This first little item came all the way from China (via eBay, of course) and while it's obviously not in any way, shape or form 'genuine' I simply couldn't resist. No doubt it's made of some kind of incredibly toxic rubber with phthalates up to the eyeballs, but what can you expect for £8 including postage? This one is about 1.1/2" square and undoubtedly the coolest keyring I've ever owned, in fact it's the coolest thing for £8 I've ever owned! Didn't take that long to come either, just over a week if I remember correctly.

I also picked up a couple of copies of 'International Watch' magazine recently, firstly number 49 (1998) which features the release of the Kirium Ti5 and the Kirium Quartz Chronograph.

The first article informs us that... 'Ti5 is a relatively impure alloy, composed of only 90% titanium with aluminium and vanadium. As used in the Kirium, the result is a case that is both hypo-allergenic and some 50% lighter than its steel equivalent and a bright, attractive finish that is not unlike gold or platinum and not possible with conventional titanium alloys.' The article also tells us that the price of the Ti5 on launch was $1295.

The second article is headed by a photo of the blue dial Kirium quartz chronograph (just like mine, but I wish mine was in that condition) and includes a photograph of the very hard to find burgundy dial version (both £1325 on launch, and also available in black or silver).

The second magazine (Issue #40, 1997) features the release of the 6000 Series Chronograph (which was released some time after the three-hander judging by the tone of the article). It seems slightly odd to think that the 6000 Chrono was released less than a year before the Kirium, but there we are. Interestingly the article features the solid gold 6000 Series (you may remember I tried one of these on a few months ago, but this one has diamond hour markers) and also the copper dial three-hander (£1730), a ladies automatic (£1750), an ivory dial two tone quartz chronograph (£2695) and a blue dial quartz chronograph on an crocodile strap (£1300).

Both these magazines are in excellent condition, in fact they look like new. No doubt they've barely been looked at since they came out. These old magazines are quite thin and pretty lightweight, but it's interesting to flick through and see what was going on in the world of watches just over twenty years ago...

Finally I picked up a little (45mm) 'Aquaracer' display plaque, God alone knows what possible use I will have for that, but it was less than a fiver. I'm sure it will appear in some 'Aquaracer' photographs at some point!

GALLERY: TAG Heuer Link Searacer Quartz Regatta Chronograph

VIDEO: Heuer Autavia Original Vs Re-Issue by Watches On You

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 17 18K Gold

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TAG Heuer Boutique / Oxford Street, London 3rd August 2019

My wife and I popped in to the TAG Heuer boutique on Oxford Street today, it was the end of a long, hot, excessively busy day and we were about ready for home to be honest, but it was nice to see Aneta and Chau from Bicester (both have moved permanently to the London store) and while my wife got some info from Aneta about the upcoming green dial ladies Aquaracer I took the opportunity to try on one of the few watches in the store I haven't already had on my wrist. Admittedly it's not exactly my 'style', but it doesn't hurt to try on something different now and again, and now that I finally have a 'proper' Carrera in my collection (or I will have come October), I'm starting to focus my attention of nailing down some sort of Monaco in the next twelve months or so.

This particular Monaco measures 38mm square and 13mm thick, it contains a chronometer certified Calibre 17 movement and while I didn't catch the exact price, I know it was somewhere north of £11,000 (although I believe they might be willing to move a little bit on that if you are genuinely interested). In this particular instance the watch is supplied on a brown leather strap with a matching gold buckle (the watch is also available with a black strap) and a silvery-white dial. The strap seems a little short to me, it fitted but there wasn't much left over (my wrist is a little above average at 7.3/4") so if you have bigger wrists you might need to change that out.

Whether you choose the brown or black strap is a matter of taste, I think I'd probably prefer the black myself, but I like that this comes with a proper pin and buckle instead of a deployment clasp. The brown makes it more retro in my opinion, and hence less suited to me really... but it definitely goes quite well with the gold case. The only thing about the gold case is that it rather limits the dial colours one can pair with, and personally I'm not a fan of this silver/white dial. It's hard to know what would go well with it as the black dial gold Carreras don't look all that amazing either. I'm thinking a fairly dark blue might be a good choice, but this dial doesn't really create any significant contrast with the case and so appears a little 'flat' to me.

Clearly I'm not really the target market for this particular watch, but it's still interesting to get it on the wrist. I expected it to be a little heavier if I'm honest, but it didn't really feel significantly heavier than the watch I took off (my 43mm Aquaracer Calibre S) so I don't think that weight will be an issue for anyone. At 38mm it fits nicely on the wrist (38mm square is bigger than 38mm round) but a square cased watch is never going to be the most ergonomic of items. At this sort of money you've got to be seriously bowled over to plunge for this one, even if there is a deal to be had... but this is no longer on the TAG Heuer website (if it ever was?) and I'd suggest chances to buy this piece 'new' are probably running out, so if you are tempted then now may be the perfect time to make your move.

I also took the opportunity to pick up a copy of the new Autavia booklet (make sure to pick up the one in English as they have it in Chinese as well: unless you'd prefer it in Chinese of course) which is a nice little addition to my ever growing collection of TAG Heuer ephemera. 

GALLERY: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre S with Peanut M&Ms

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Monaco 50th Anniversary 1979-1989 Unboxing by Edinburgh Watch Company

INTERVIEW: Mr Orange (Calibre 11 Forum Member)

Another regular member of the Calibre 11 Forum for you this time, and another with the occasional 'forthright' opinion (cough, Jim 'Dogsh*t' Dollares ), so, without further ado, please welcome 'Mr Orange'.


For the benefit of any of my readers who don't as yet frequent the Calibre 11 forum, please tell us a little bit about yourself...

To misquote Sting, " I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien. I'm in Englishman in Brisbane".


Clearly this is an obvious question, but I feel I need to ask it all the same as it gives us some kind of background, so how did you get into watches?

That's easy! The Omega Seamaster (although I will probably never buy one because every time I have tried one on, I have been disappointed) and my Father. He once came home from work in the Middle East with a titanium Seiko. I don't recall the exact model, but that got me interested such that when he came home from another trip he had a Seiko Kinetic Titanium for me. A watch that I still have some 25 years on.

I know from the forum that you have a couple of very nice Carreras in your collection, do you have a 'favourite' piece?

Without a doubt I do, although that is not to say that I don't still love wearing all my watches. My Heuer Carrera 300 SLR Limited Edition is my favourite though.

Those are both very beautiful pieces which I would love to own, although I think I would tend towards the McLaren 1974 myself. So now we get to the slightly trickier questions, beginning with a personal favourite of mine: is there a place in your collection for quartz / how do you feel about quartz watches?

Yes. The Seiko Kinetic is quartz and I also own a Rado R5.5 that is quartz. That said, I don't see me buying quartz in the future. As an engineer, I am fascinated by mechanical watches so that is where my $$$ will be going in the future. Oh, and maybe an JLC Atmos - those things are super cool!


Yes, I don't really understand how that works personally, but it's ingenious none the less. Something else which is ingenious, but in a completely different way is the TAG Heuer Connected, is that something you could see yourself buying/wearing at some point?

Nope, sorry, never. I think it has its place but the way that TAG Heuer have allowed any and all dials to be bastardised on to the face of the Connected really irks me. (Sorry Albert-AMG)


Do you have any idea what you might like to add to your collection next?

Not yet. I have a fairly long list including a Carrera Calibre 17 (CV5111), a couple of Monacos, an IWC Spitfire Flyback Mk XVII, the Carrera MP4-12C, a JLC Geophysic True Second, a Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control and so it goes on. Quite a few of those can now only be bought second hand and I have sadly watched the prices of some them increase over the years. If only I had had the funds at the time I decided I definitely wanted to buy them.

Is there a 'money no object' grail piece that you lust after?

Absolutely. Two JLCs and an ALS. First the Duometre Spherotourbillion Moon, second the Amvox 3 Tourbillion GMT and lastly the Lange 1 Moon Phase.


I'm glad I don't have to answer that question myself because I tend to focus on what I can afford, and what my wife will let me get away with, haha. So how does your partner/wife feel about your collection?

She is very supportive and has "bought" (in inverted commas) me three of my collection. She expects me to exercise restraint though but can also be an enabler. Luckily, I am not that impulsive and tend to think long and hard about my purchases.


How many watches is too many?

Whatever it is, I haven't got there yet.


Have you ever ‘sneaked’ a watch into the house?

Ermmm, pass ;)


I'll take that as a yes then. :) 

Have you ever maybe bought or sold a watch and regretted it?

I still own every watch I have ever bought and there are no regrets. I think that has something to do with the length of time I spend mulling over a purchase.


Probably, I am far too impulsive but I'm trying to roll it back a bit now. So here's another question that seems to divide the forum somewhat, and that is how do you feel about 'faux' aged lume?

Lume the colour of baby poo doesn't really float my boat, on the other hand I really don't care and it is horses for courses.

In the wider watch world TAG Heuer has long attracted more than its fair share of negativity, do you have any thoughts on why that is?

The 80s - The plastic Formula 1 didn't help, but I suspect the main reason must have been their marketing campaigns because everyone associates TAG Heuer in the 80s with w*nker bankers wearing gold and two-tone models. I was too young to really appreciate what their issues were at the time, but looking back this is what I see. Having said that, TH have definitely moved well beyond this decade (although refer to Bamford comments) and should not be being persecuted for it any more. I think that anyone who is genuinely interested in the brand or knows the full history doesn't care about, let's call it 'The Great Mistake', but the trolls who love to hate TAG Heuer cling to it and bring it up time after time much as they do the story about the birth of the Calibre 1887. That said, the Bamford collaboration is a total fail. It is the 80s all over again, only worse. Bamford's creations look like something off Playschool, IMO.


Are you swayed by ‘limited editions’ and associated packaging?

I'm not swayed per se. I own 3 limited editions (Monaco ACM Edition, Carrera 300 SLR and Carrera McLaren 1974 Edition) but I bought them because I like them not because they were limited. I used to be a bit annoyed by cheap packaging but the reality is that all my boxes are stuffed away in drawers or cardboard boxes and never see the light of day. The packaging probably only matters at time of resale which is not something that interests me since I buy to keep. Rather than packaging, I think watch companies could do more in terms of providing a second strap or accompanying books (as TH have done).


Is there a TAG Heuer / Heuer you really don’t like?

This will be controversial, so I will caveat it by saying that I love and respect the Heuer history and the Heuer family story but there is almost nothing from the old Heuer days that I like. I also don't like the new 'mutant Carreras'. In fact, I don't think they should even be called Carreras!


I kind of agree, even though I have one... I don't necessarily think calling them Carreras was the best idea. How do you feel about gold and two-tone watches, would you / do you wear them and do you feel comfortable wearing them?

In general, I am not a fan and don't see myself wearing them, but the aformentioned JLC Amvox 3 is two-tone rose gold and black DLC and I love that.

We've now seen three of the five Monacos made to mark the 50th Anniversary and it seems like we're in for a long wait before we 'officially' see the last two (plus some more that we think we know about), but if you were in charge of TAG Heuer, how would you have chosen to mark the 50th anniversary of the Monaco.

Maybe I would have run the 'Monaco Cup', similar to the Autavia Cup, with a larger production run of the eventual winner and at a more affordable price point than the decade '5', but this would have been in addition to the '5'.


You've mentioned a couple of brands already so I know this question isn't moot: which other brands do you appreciate / own?

I own Seiko, Rado, Maurice Lacroix and, of course, TAG Heuer. I aspire to add JLC, GO and ALS to my collection and no doubt others I have yet to discover.


Do you see your collection growing, if so how?

Yes, I see it growing. How - that's a bit harder to answer. Outside of my day job, I trade shares - it's working out fairly well so far. I do still see affordable watches that I really like, for instance the Ultrmarine Morse UTC, so it is not just about spending the big dollars.

Given the very positive initial reaction to the red limited edition Monaco, would you like to see some sort of ‘Ferrari’ Monaco?

Yes, but also no. Various other brands including Hublot, Girard Perregaux and Panerai have all done Ferrari watches in addition to the Ferrari branded watches that exist so I don't think that TAG Heuer would benefit from a tie up with Ferrari. I could also see the brand being accused of jumping on the bandwagon which would give the TAG Heuer haters even more ammunition.


How do you feel about the Hodinkee limited edition phenomenon, and leading off of that, would you like to see TAG instigate some sort of ‘VIP’ club for people who buy regularly with special editions offered first/or possibly exclusively to members?

I think they are aimed at different customers to me. They seem to take a watch, change the dial colour and slap 2 grand on the price. Revolution/The Rake have done something similar. People who buy these watches are buying into some sort of 'lifestyle'. Good on them though for seeing the business opportunity and grabbing it.


And finally, who (if anybody) do you think should be TAG Heuer’s next brand ambassador?

Nobody. Actually scratch that, it should be one of us from the Calibre 11 forum.


Perhaps we should 'elect' someone, maybe Hubert can be the ambassador with special responsibility for Monacos, and the Connected, well we know who that'll be, haha. Well, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and maybe in the future we can do this again?

GALLERY: TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 and TAG Heuer Aquagraph Calibre 60

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Review by EDC Gunner

FEATURE: The Rise of the Green Watch Dial

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For the last little while the blue dial has been the colour to have, but times are changing and by all accounts the new colour to be seen wearing on the wrist is green. Of course, the Rolex Submariner Hulk is partly responsible for this change, but now apparently the green dial solid gold Rolex Daytona is trading pre-owned at something like 60% above its list price and Rolex aren't even taking orders, this for a watch which two years ago was languishing unloved and unwanted in the boutiques. Clearly the green dial is on the rise...

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Green dial TAG Heuers are few and far between, there's the 2019 Autavia pictured above (top) of course, which to my mind is the pick of the new Autavia range and the perfect complement to the bronze case. There's also the Khaki Aquaracer Calibre 5 from a few years ago (that one was released alongside the blue/white camouflage model), and the quartz Khaki that effectively replaced it (below).

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A little further back in time we've had the Formula 1 Khaki, which was available on either a bracelet or a rubber strap - never seen one of those, I used to have the black version and I must admit the Khaki definitely appeals, great lume on the that watch as well, which was an added bonus, but the rubber is a no-no for me as I had major issues with the clasp digging into my wrist and it doesn't have the same appeal for me on the bracelet.

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Further back still we have the green dial Kirium, which is another piece I'd like to get hold of at some point to expand my Kirium collection, but colour dial Kiriums seem to hold their price better than black dials so they can be a little hard to pick up and they weren't made in massive numbers either.

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Even further back we have the green dial S/EL, but the same goes here too really. Red and green examples command a noticeable premium over standard black dials and again scarcity means the sellers can wait for the right buyer to come along.

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Another old favourite is the two tone 6000 Series Chronometer, but this is even harder to get hold of and you'd have to be looking at nigh on a grand to get one of these on the wrist. These were available on a leather strap as well if the two-tone bracelet is a bit too much for you, but again good luck finding one!

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If you're undaunted by bling, you could go full gold and really make a statement, but finding one of these solid 18k gold 6000 Chronometers is really going to be a challenge...

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I'm pretty sure I've never come across a WH5145 for sale, and it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of them have been melted down for the gold content, that is a thing these days apparently. Sounds like vandalism to me, but then it's probably worth more as scrap than it is whole, so I guess it's understandable, I have a feeling that these might have been made to order as well, so there's no telling if there was that many out there in the first place...

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But if you want something a bit more up to date and a bit more 'classic' into the bargain then the Monaco might be the watch for you. This 'Men's Club' limited edition was released in Japan in 2017 but apparently hasn't sold out as yet, which I find quite incredible actually given that there's only 100 pieces in existence!

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Lastly, we have this, which I must admit I dismissed as 'fake' at first glance, but then I noticed the picture source was Calibre 11 and so the reality is, this was a 2016 limited edition Monaco made for the Swiss boutique and limited to 250 pieces. I can't help but think that the stripe on the left hand side looks a bit odd, but I'm sure you'd get used to it.

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And finally, finally, I couldn't resist adding a couple more pieces I came across while Googling for this post, a couple of 2000 Series limited editions (500pcs each I believe) which are quite similar to the black/green 2000 Series I posted about a little while back. Not strictly green dials, but definitely worthy of mention.

If none of these has really grabbed you, worry not - there's at least two new green dial TAG Heuer's on the horizon, one of which is due next month.

GALLERY: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 with Tutankhamen Mug

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Two Tone Unboxing by Samuel Kim

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 'Camouflage' Calibre 5 Watch

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TAG Heuer Boutique / Bicester Village, 22nd July 2019

Yeah, I know, like haven't I tried this on a hundred times already? Well yeah I have tried it on at least three times now, but maybe this time finally I can put it to bed. But then again, maybe not... see, it came to the point where I wanted to either buy this, or the sand/gold Aquaracer (WAY208C) and when it came to it I decided that the WAY208C was just the better long term prospect. And then of course it turned up at the outlet, and that was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Of course, a week later this one turned up at the outlet too and I was still very tempted, but couldn't justify the expense and truthfully I expected it to disappear as fast as it had arrived, thus my problem would be solved. But, oddly it's still there, taunting me. Which is strange as anything a bit unusual tends to fly off the shelves at Bicester Village.

So inevitably I decided to try it on again, just to see... and of course I still like it, but maybe not as much as I once did. The sticking point is, was and always will be the strap, although I have to admit I am starting to warm up to it a little bit. But I really don't like that huge tail sticking up at the back and because there's a double thickness of strap underneath the back of the watch it sits way too high up off the wrist for me. The obvious answer would be to put it on the rubber strap that I got for my WAY208C (still in the packet at the moment) but I'm sure that would diminish the overall effect.

I still like the dial though, it's so unique and different, but I struggle to understand when I would wear this really. It's an automatic with a PVD case so I'm going to want to take care of it, but then it has a camouflage dial so it's not exactly something to wear when you're going out to dinner is it. I realise this is partly my ludicrous desire to keep things 'nice' and maybe I do need to make another concerted effort to get over this and wear my 'posh' watches day to day too, but still... my need for a watch like this is limited, but that's never stopped me before, has it? :)

The WAY208D Camouflage Aquaracer is 43mm in diameter, features a Calibre 5 automatic movement and is currently on offer at the Bicester Village outlet for £1610 (list price £2300). I'm sure it's only a matter of time until the right person comes along and takes this home... I must admit though, I will be a little disappointed when it's gone, it's like I don't really want to buy it, but I don't want anyone else to buy it either!

GALLERY: TAG Heuer 1500 GMT Quartz with Mint Imperials

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Vs Longines Hydroconquest by Perth Watch

BUYING EXPERIENCE: TAG Heuer Rubber Strap BT0702

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It's nearly three years since I bought the BT0702 rubber strap for the first time, then for my black dial 2000 Series which I subsequently sold (along with the rubber strap) because I felt the case size was too small for my wrist and didn't expect to replace it (the BT0702 is specific to the 2000 case). So consequently, when I bought my 2000 Series Multigraph I should probably have realised that I was going to have the same old problems with the bracelet that led me to buy the rubber strap the first time around.

But of course, I didn't. It was a triumph of optimism over experience and consequently I ended up having to re-order the BT0702 as I literally could not wear my Mutligraph without chewing up my wrist. Believe me I tried to get on with the clasp, I even went as far as filing down the sharp edges that sat lower than the main section of the clasp, but it was no good; my wrist would not stand it and so I had to get this strap all over again.

It only took a couple of weeks to come in to the Bicester store and I scooted over one night after work to get it fitted. It's not the easiest of straps to fit by all accounts but Sophie (who is quite charming to talk to by the way) got there in the end and it looks great to me. I don't remember it smelling of vanilla last time and on first acquaintance it was a bit overpowering (actually it gave me a bit of a headache!) but it quickly settled down to a more subtle scent and after a couple of days it was much less noticeable.

Initially I thought the watch looked slightly better on the bracelet, but it still looks good on the rubber strap and the comfort and wearability is night and day better. I really enjoyed wearing this strap the first time round and it's nice to have it back in the collection again, and actually the more I wear it the more I'm starting to think maybe I prefer it this way after all... 

The BT0702 costs £135, which is perhaps quite a lot for a fairly simple strap, but I'm not really into fitting aftermarket straps to my watches, I'd much prefer to keep my entire collection 100% pure TAG Heuer, so it's worth it to me. It's nicely made; the buckle and pin are nicely manufactured and the strap has four (count 'em) TAG Heuer logos on it. I really like that, I get that some people might not but they are all pretty subtle, this is no 'in your face' Breitling rubber strap that's for sure!

Honestly I wish I could have got on with the bracelet, because I think it looks neat and it would have been nice to have the choice, but I can definitely live with this rubber strap and it's been a blessing in the stupidly warm weather we've been having recently.

FEATURE: TAG Heuer Fakes on Ebay Are Now Too Good to Ignore

Everyone loves a bargain, and what better place to shop than eBay...? Unfortunately, this 'bargain' is nothing but a fake. A very good fake that would fool the average man in the street for sure, but a fake nonetheless, and eBay really couldn't care less. I and others like me at the Calibre 11 forum report several watches a week, but they are rarely taken down - it's not in their interest after all*, they make a profit from every fake watch sold. But ultimately they are facilitating the sale of counterfeit goods, and to be honest we have to face the fact that fake watches are now at the point where unless you really know what you are looking at it's probably time to give eBay a miss.

*They don't exactly make the 'Report Item' button easy to find either!

Not for everything, I would happily buy pre-owned TAGs from eBay that date from the 80s, 90s and 00s. But anything that's relatively modern is downright dangerous, and the problem is, right now these look relatively obvious; they're always brand new with film on the bracelets, often complete with hang tags and even sticky labels all designed to make them look absolutely genuine. But sooner or later these will be back on eBay pre-owned, and if anything that will make them appear even more trustworthy.

It's hard to know if people are buying these knowing they are fake (seduced by ridiculously low prices) or if they are being hoodwinked, but either way it is unacceptable. I've seen utterly dreadful fakes sell for hundred of pounds, and that's even more hard to fathom than someone falling for this. At least the sellers still have the good grace to put pictures of the fakes they are selling on the site so at least we have a chance to spot them, it would be just as easy for them to use photos of genuine watches and send out the imposters.

So my advice to you if you're looking for a bargain watch is use an authorised dealer and ask for discount, or at the very least go to a reputable grey market seller (I wouldn't use Amazon either, most of their watches come from third party sellers so their reputation is irrelevant), or failing that buy from someone like Watchfinder who check the authenticity and performance of their watches before they purchase them.

Or if you must buy from eBay, go for old school watches like the 6000 Series and the Kirium. Fakes of these are absolutely terrible and easy to spot, and don't forget if you are looking at buying a watch on eBay the Calibre 11 forum members are eager to help (although some have a slightly acidic tongue - don't take it personally) and the more eyes on a watch the better really.

Seriously, I would not buy a modern Aquaracer (in particular) from eBay now, it's not worth it. You'll probably still end up paying £750-1000 and getting a fake watch that is basically worthless.

GET HELP HERE: https://forums.calibre11.com/threads/is-my-tag-heuer-authentic-all-questions-here-please.33008/

VIDEO: Heuer Triple Date Restoration by Watch Repair Channel

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Connected 41mm

CONNECTED 41mm

TAG Heuer Boutique / Bicester Village, 22nd July 2019

The first (and previously unwritten) rule about the 'TAG Heuer Enthusiast' blog is that we don't talk about the TAG Heuer Connected smartwatch...

At least until now!

But before you panic, close your browser and run screaming from room to room like a startled child shouting for your mother, let me reassure you that I absolutely will not be buying one! And it'll probably be a long, long time until I talk about the Connected again. So, just this once, let's relax just a wee bit and take a calm, considered view of the (now discontinued) 41mm Connected smart watch.

I'm not going to get into the functionality because a) I don't have a clue, and b) I'm really not that interested to be honest. I'm sure if you are then you probably have a far better understanding of how they work and what they can do than I can offer you, I'm just here as an innocent bystander offering my two-cents from the perspective of a watch enthusiast.

So clearly, this post is going to be a rant about how awful smart watches are in general and how the Connected is awful and the whole world is going to hell in a handbasket, right? Well no actually...

The first Connected I tried on was this one, and I have to start by saying I really liked the rubber strap. No really, I would definitely have one of those on a 'proper' watch and look, there's no denying this watch is quite a cool thing to have on the wrist. If I was minded to join the Smartwatch revolution then obviously I would be buying a TAG Heuer, I mean... obviously!

But it is quite bulky, quite thick and it looks kinda squashed... like, if somebody took a Heuer 01 and pushed it in from the sides. The lugs are very similar but they seem way too close together and that along with the black pieces at the top and bottom create this illusion of an 'oval' dial, which the narrow, polished lugs only help to reinforce. Maybe the 45mm would wear the thickness better?

Next I tried on the Calibre 5 module on a bracelet, and again it feels dinky and squashed in, but I didn't mind the module itself, it is after all, a 'proper' watch. But I didn't much care for the bracelet, if I was going down this route then I'd be having this module and the rubber strap for sure. It's funny though, how in this picture the actual Calibre 5 module kinda looks like a Connected 'face', indeed a friend reviewing my pictures thought that's exactly what it was!

I'm wishing I'd taken a picture from the side so you can see just how tall this watch is, and I can't help wondering if the Calibre 5 module needs to be so thick, given how thin an automatic movement is. But as much as the thickness irks me, I could forgive a lot, but I can't get past those black parts at the top and bottom of the bezel. Why do we need those? I'm sure they are vital to the modular function, but I really don't like them. They just ruin the shape of the bezel for me.

So here we are, the Connected 41mm system sold in its component parts and... is it just me, but the Calibre 5 module costs £1400 (£980 in the outlet), while the lugs cost £1015 (£735 in the outlet). Does that not seem just a little bit 'off' to you? Of course you 'could' buy this selection of parts for £3310 (£2370 in the outlet), but that means you don't have an actual 'Connected' module (maybe not such a bad thing...) but why would you when you can buy a basic Connected for £735 and the Calibre 5 module for £980 (£1715 in total in the outlet)?

(Actually, I posed this exact question on the Calibre 11 forum and perceived wisdom suggests the answer is that the lugs are priced precisely to stop people buying the parts and making their own Calibre 5 Carrera cheaper than a 'proper' Carrera. It's a little more complex than that, but that is the gist, and it makes more sense than trying to justify the price of lugs in and of themselves.)

Makes no sense to me I'm afraid, but then the whole thing seems a bit doomed to obsolescence. Okay I get that TAG Heuer have done their best to try to negate that exact dilemma, but do I really believe people are going to be wearing their Calibre 5, 16 and Tourbillon modules in ten years time? Not really, no. On the other hand it may end up one day being the cheapest possible way to own a Swiss made Tourbillon movement, as long as you don't mind the 'kids' laughing at your 'old fashioned' Smart Watch of course!

GALLERY: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Quartz Chronograph with Soap Suds

INSTRUCTIONS: Sports-Elegance Bracelet Adjustment Booklet

VIDEO: Watchfinder & Co Review & TAG Heuer S/EL Unboxing by Mr Hyde