Furthermore, what's the bad rap about TAG?

[JJL]

A similar thread is going on asking what peoples opinions are on Tag.

I'm more interested in why some experts give Tag Heuers a bad wrap.

Do many feel Tags are crap? Or is it more so that because of their popular name, they are more expensive than they should be, or more expensive than some of their lesser known competitors who make just as nice of pieces?

I've owned a Tag Heuer Searacer for around 8 years now. I still love the watch. I'm just curious because I hear people say bad things about Tag. I'm just trying to learn! :)

Thanks for the feedback!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Do they really have a bad reputation? I don't think I've heard something like that. Personally that kind of debate is a bit like comparing apples and oranges, Tag makes great watches (in my opinion) that are different from Rolex, Omega or the other brands. They're not as prestigious and maybe not as well made (I'm not an expert, chances are they're just as well built as any other brand) but I didn't hear about them being bad watches.

[kilyung]

I've had a number of Tags, the last one being a Monaco reissue. I liked the brand (toolish) but had horrible service experiences with every watch. I finally decided to quit the brand because of the issues and not the design.

[masterkiller]

Basically everything interesting from Tag Heuer came from 'Heuer' and not 'TAG' as the:

-Monaco
-Carrera
-Monza

/masterkiller

[Timber Loftis]

Originally Posted by masterkiller

Basically everything interesting from Tag Heuer came from 'Heuer' and not 'TAG' as the:

Yep, Heuer was better before it got TAGged.

[conrail]

I don't think they have a bad rep, nor do I think they are crap. However, none of their watches wow me. Some designs are interesting, but they do feel and look cheap in person compared to other brands above them (e.g., Omega, Breitling). The finish on their watches just feels cheaper - but at Tag's secondary market price range, it probably should be.

[JJL]

Well I don't want to be misunderstood. I did say "some" experts give Tag a bad rap. It just seems that I've come across some watch enthusiasts that have a strong dis-taste for the Tag Heuer brand.

[wantonebad]

I agree with others who have commented on the build quality and styling. My issue with Tag is for what they are, entry-level Swiss made watches, they aren't affordable. JMHO but I would rather own a Tissot or Oris based on quality and price. They went more the "style" route in the 80's and 90's and that made them popular then. But not for me, their style did nothing for me and when began to explore watches and learn about quality they weren't on the top of any list.

[conrail]

Originally Posted by JJL

Well I don't want to be misunderstood. I did say "some" experts give Tag a bad rap. It just seems that I've come across some watch enthusiasts that have a strong dis-taste for the Tag Heuer brand.

Weird. I def don't dislike them, and can only guess those people that have such strong feelings about them are a bit watch snobby.

[eric23]

I like Tag, never owned one but a lot of my friends have Monaco's, they really like them.

[p_mcgee]

For me Tag is kind of in no-mans land. Too expensive to be a weekend beater, but not as desirable as other entry-level luxury watch options in the same price range. Some of the simpler Carreras and Aquaracers seem like nice watches, just never got to the top of my list.

[Maxfli]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

They went more the "style" route in the 80's and 90's and that made them popular then.

I think Marc put his finger on the source of mixed feelings about this brand. Tag's marketing has been fashion oriented, which helped make them popular among the general public but was a bit of a turn-off for watch enthusiasts.

[B. Doggy]

Not a lot of bang for your buck IMHO.

[Mockingbird]

Tag Heuer is a decently mediocre brand. Heuer was spectacular.

That's putting it as simply I can. Heuer produced some amazing pieces back in the day, unfortunately the merge into Tag Heuer has resulted in a myriad of overpriced, uninspired, pedestrian pieces.

They're decent, just not for the price.

[Starwalker]

It's seen as a starter brand into the world of luxury watches. Once most people are better read, and more willing to part with their cash to purchase a Rolex, Omega, AP, Hublot, Breguet...they usually cut any association that they have with Tag, because once they get past the looks and the price they realize that there are far better things out there on the market. They also feel cheated for having to part with so much cash for a Tag, when they could have added a bit more and purchased and Omega, but they have to all take a massive it on the initial depreciation of a over-priced watch with mediocre build quality and stylish looks. And to make matters worse, is that they see teenagers running around with tags too. Its a bit of a blow to the self-esteem. Tags, are like the overly needy kids that try to make friends with you when you first join a new school. When you do realize you're way around the class and other peers, and when you realize where all cool kids go, you start to resent your dear friend (tag) for not inviting you to hang out with the cool kids and for the time you wasted being held from the real party. IMHO - this is what is most people's problem with TAG.

[smartson]

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

...Tag Heuer has resulted in a myriad of overpriced, uninspired, pedestrian pieces.

So true. When i start collecting watch 20 some what years ago, Tag, Seiko, Tissot, Rado were the brands that interested me for my budget. But the moment I looked at Tag Formula seriously, the design and quality (lack of both) literally made me sick and permanently turned me off from the brand.

[RolexWatcher]

I guess for their mid-range watches (e.g. around 2500 quid), I would rather buy Omega - I just think they are better quality than Tags, my opinion of course...

[Young Connoisseur]

Originally Posted by Starwalker

It's seen as a starter brand into the world of luxury watches. Once most people are better read, and more willing to part with their cash to purchase a Rolex, Omega, AP, Hublot, Breguet...they usually cut any association that they have with Tag, because once they get past the looks and the price they realize that there are far better things out there on the market. They also feel cheated for having to part with so much cash for a Tag, when they could have added a bit more and purchased and Omega, but they have to all take a massive it on the initial depreciation of a over-priced watch with mediocre build quality and stylish looks. And to make matters worse, is that they see teenagers running around with tags too. Its a bit of a blow to the self-esteem. Tags, are like the overly needy kids that try to make friends with you when you first join a new school. When you do realize you're way around the class and other peers, and when you realize where all cool kids go, you start to resent your dear friend (tag) for not inviting you to hang out with the cool kids and for the time you wasted being held from the real party. IMHO - this is what is most people's problem with TAG.

Hit the nail on the head for me...

I still wear my Tag every day and mind you, its been a pretty solid watch, especially for having a diamond bezel!

Does it compare to the Datejust I used to have or the Daytona I had for a while? Not even the slightest.

Do I wish I would have known how much I was going to fall in love with watches before I got rid of those two and then kept this Tag? Every day.



But, if it wasn't for buying this Tag, I never would have went for the other two and in turn never would have been into this hobby at all.




I'm mixed on Tags. After spending nearly $5K on this current one when the Submariner was near $5500 MSRP, and seeing used prices on those now compared to this....


I'll probably never buy another Tag. I know watches aren't really "investments" but I still think its smarter to shop with brands that hold their value.


That and Daytonas / red subs and DRSDs basically DO always go up in value if you buy used at a good price and don't beat the hell out of them.


^ for that reason alone you really can't beat buying a Rolex.



In my opinion, of course. But I thank Tag Heuer for getting me involved in watches.

[JJL]

Really good points guys. I appreciate the feedback!

[liptonnr]

I owned one for a while but the quality just wasn't there. I liked the looks and it was a great beater watch. Quartz accuracy was fine for me. I definitely don't hate the beand and would consider buying another one if the price and stye was right.

[keschete]

My issue was about spending that amount of money and having a watch less durable than a Sieko. I have a ladies Link that is a beautiful watch. But it was damaged and scratched so badly after a year that the dent on the bezel won't polish out. My Sieko is 15and my Rolex is 5 and they both look better than the Tag.

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[Lexxy]

As a company TAG aren't watchmakers but outsourcers, and as such they go to the lowest tender. This results in some of the cheapest plastic movements ever perpetrated, which is a shock as large watchmakers can bulk buy quality movements for a lot less than you or I. But the tacit reasoning seems to be that it's less expensive to simply replace a cheap movement than repair it, therefore they're doing you a favour.

There's a Wikipaedia article on Heuer's history which is an eye opener for the amount of advancements they'd made in mechanical watches as just Heuer which were promptly adopted by other brands, and which we now take for granted.