Carrera question

[nicksaint]

I'm new to Tag Heuer and I was hoping to get some advice here. I've been thinking about getting one, but wasn't sure which one I wanted to buy. Well, yesterday I went into a local authorized dealer. I bumped into a old college football buddy of mine that was working there. Turned out to be his family owned business. Well, I was really liking the look of the Carrera. I asked him to pull that one out, which he did. He then began to try to talk me out of buying that one. He was saying that it's the worst design that Tag Heuer has ever made. That it's a great looking watch, but the case is crap. Basically that it marks and dents really easy. Something about a cheap aluminum bezel, among other quality issues. He was explaining that it's probably one of the reasons it's so cheap. And, he suggested that, even if I wanted to spend that dollar amount, spend it on another model Tag Heuer instead and that I would be much happier in the end.

My question is, are there any owners of this watch, that have had issues? I would appreciate any comments, Thanks

[thechief]

Gee, I am glad I bought a piece of crap. I have had mine since Nov 05 and it is perfect. I am very careful with my watches. I have no problems with my Carrera. Do not be swayed by his comments. Great watch.

[hankr37]

a while back, when the carrera your talking about just came out, i purchased one. i think that was just a little over a year ago, if i recall. the look alone of the watch, caught my eye. i wasn't that impressed with the weight and overall quality of the watch. but, since it was cheap and i was looking for a every day watch, i went ahead and bought it. after about a week of wearing it, i got rid of it quick. it just didn't wear well. i'm a person that takes care of my watches, but this thing just got dents too easy. your sales guy hit the nail on the head with the bezel issue, cause that thing is very fragile. the bracelet is also very fragile as well. i work in a office, so it's not like i have some job where i'm always banging into things. so, overall i would have to agree with your sales guy, based on personal experience. the carrera was the last tag i purchased since then. i still like the brand, but it's been mostly panerai's, since then, for me. about a year before i purchased the carrera, i purchased a tag link calibre 36, which has been awesome. this watch is very solid and still looks brand new, even today. personally, i think the carrera is a perfect example of, you get what you pay for. although, i think they could have done some little things, to make it a bit tougher. it's just a bad design, that looks really nice on the outside. watch mfg's make bad designs once in a while, it's just trial and error. but, hopefully over time, they can make this same watch better. i mean lets face it, no watch should have a metal as fragile as aluminum on it. i understand weight is a issue for some. but, there are a lot of metals out there, that are light, but much stronger them aluminum.

my opinion would be, to definitely look at some of the other models that tag has to offer. tag is a good brand, with lots of other tougher models to offer, even at the same price point





I'm new to Tag Heuer and I was hoping to get some advice here. I've been thinking about getting one, but wasn't sure which one I wanted to buy. Well, yesterday I went into a local authorized dealer. I bumped into a old college football buddy of mine that was working there. Turned out to be his family owned business. Well, I was really liking the look of the Carrera. I asked him to pull that one out, which he did. He then began to try to talk me out of buying that one. He was saying that it's the worst design that Tag Heuer has ever made. That it's a great looking watch, but the case is crap. Basically that it marks and dents really easy. Something about a cheap aluminum bezel, among other quality issues. He was explaining that it's probably one of the reasons it's so cheap. And, he suggested that, even if I wanted to spend that dollar amount, spend it on another model Tag Heuer instead and that I would be much happier in the end.

My question is, are there any owners of this watch, that have had issues? I would appreciate any comments, Thanks

[thestumper]

Its a nice watch: I had one for about two weeks before I flipped it. I love the looks, but I wanted something with a little better "survivability". I should probably explain that a little more:

Its a BIG watch. Not as wide as some of the current popular favorites, but its also pretty thick. I was concerned that something which sits so high up on my relatively small wrists would be bound to bounce off of something. I travel a lot, and that happens frequently in airports. The aluminum bezel was just something i wasn't willing to accept in the end. Size-wise, it felt awkward on my wrist, and I couldn't get used to it. Most of that is my fault, but I didn't want to own a watch I was constantly paranoid about.

The movement is solid: the 7750 has been around for a long time and is a well proven mechanism.

The finishing is nice: It looks great from almost any angle. The view-back crystal is a nice touch as well.

Construction is good: I didn't have it long enough (obviously) to guage overall quality but it sure felt solid to me.

Design: Thats arguable. I would have liked AR coating on the crystal, but its not a huge deal. That aluminum bezel is what perplexes me. Had I kept it, I'd be lamenting the dings in it by now. Overall, I think its an acceptable package; I'm just a klutz, and a picky one at that.

In the end, if you sit at a desk all day and take care of your stuff, you might just like it. If you can get a fabulous deal on it, all the better. If you plan on being pretty active with it, and can't always meticulously baby it, then think twice. I don't know you and maybe you're the kind of guy who doesn't mind the dings and scratches too much. It just depends.

Note that if you can get a good deal on an Aquaracer Chrono or a Link Chrono, they appear to be a little tougher. The Monza is pretty solid as well, but more expensive.

Also note that I tried on the smaller Carrera chrono at a dealer recently (38 mm "classic" look). Its smaller but I thought it was pretty sweet, and it might prove a little tougher. That one should be in the same price area.

Best of luck in whatever you decide, and share pics when you get it !!!

[cadeucsb]

i have one and wear it everyday...the bezel has one TINY ding that is only noticeable by me even if someone else stares at it.

I bang it into things all the time... desk, etc... and it doesnt take any damage..

Previous posts mention normal use mutilating the thing and its hard for me to believe unless ur a total clutz. The bezel is prone to tiny dings, but its not like ur gonna get some dime sized dent in it.

[hankr37]

i don't see any previous posts where the word "mutilating" was used. i have lots of watches and none have any scratches. the only one that scratched up easy was the carrera, which is all i was saying. and, trust me when i say, you don't have to be a "total clutz" to have that thing dented like a tin can, in no time lol. it's a solid movement, inside a good looking case, that is just cheaply made.

i have one and wear it everyday...the bezel has one TINY ding that is only noticeable by me even if someone else stares at it.

I bang it into things all the time... desk, etc... and it doesnt take any damage..

Previous posts mention normal use mutilating the thing and its hard for me to believe unless ur a total clutz. The bezel is prone to tiny dings, but its not like ur gonna get some dime sized dent in it.

[Mr BIG]

i don't see any previous posts where the word "mutilating" was used. i have lots of watches and none have any scratches. the only one that scratched up easy was the carrera, which is all i was saying. and, trust me when i say, you don't have to be a "total clutz" to have that thing dented like a tin can, in no time lol. it's a solid movement, inside a good looking case, that is just cheaply made.

I understand your argument that stainless steel has a higher hardness factor on the Mohs scale than aluminium. But in many cases if the watch "scratched up" like you said, i would think that a stainless steel watch would also scratch.

At the end of the day it takes some impact for a watch to get dented or scratched.....it does not scratch itself now does it?

Thats why LVMH as a company invest a lot of time and money into training staff to be able to assist a customer in selecting the right watch for the right person. Its good to see (and welcomed by Tag) that an experienced AD is being honest and using experience to help chose the right watch for that customer. Thats what AD's are there for!

As an AD myself i would recomend the Carrera as a good quality and reliable watch. But my customers who buy the Carrera chronograph are more "collectors" who buy the watch without the intent of a daily-use but more as a "special" watch for special occasion. A watch to wear infrequently so to admire its classic beauty.

Out of the entire Tag collection the Carrera Chrono is one of the most sought after and admired pieces because of its design and quality. People who want one for everyday use would most likely pick another model.

Just my 2 cents;-)

[hankr37]

"At the end of the day it takes some impact for a watch to get dented or scratched.....it does not scratch itself now does it?"

not with aluminum my good man. aluminum scratches and dents very easily, as i found out. this is exactly why i would never buy a watch that has ANY aluminum in them. my panerai and breitling watches have ZERO scratches or dents in them.

the bottom line is you get what you pay for. a cheaper priced watch, like the carrera, may have metals in it, that are more fragile. i've learned this and it's exactly why i won't buy a watch for less then 3k (actual walk out the door price). like i said, my tag link calibre 36 is in brand new condition, after having it for a long while.







I understand your argument that stainless steel has a higher hardness factor on the Mohs scale than aluminium. But in many cases if the watch "scratched up" like you said, i would think that a stainless steel watch would also scratch.

At the end of the day it takes some impact for a watch to get dented or scratched.....it does not scratch itself now does it?

Thats why LVMH as a company invest a lot of time and money into training staff to be able to assist a customer in selecting the right watch for the right person. Its good to see (and welcomed by Tag) that an experienced AD is being honest and using experience to help chose the right watch for that customer. Thats what AD's are there for!

As an AD myself i would recomend the Carrera as a good quality and reliable watch. But my customers who buy the Carrera chronograph are more "collectors" who buy the watch without the intent of a daily-use but more as a "special" watch for special occasion. A watch to wear infrequently so to admire its classic beauty.

Out of the entire Tag collection the Carrera Chrono is one of the most sought after and admired pieces because of its design and quality. People who want one for everyday use would most likely pick another model.

Just my 2 cents;-)

[trojan21]

I have to agree with MrBig, it will take a big impact for dents to appear unless I'm missing something. I took a geology class in college so I know all about hardness factors and such but getting dings on the watch itself is also partly the fault of the user (whether it was an accident or not).

I got my Carerra 3 weeks ago and have been wearing it everyday...needless to say, I risk denting and scratching my watch the more I wear it. My girlfriend has this coach purse that has nickle buckles and when she walks, she doesn't walk straight, she walks against me so on about 25 different occaisions, I would bang my watch against the nickle but the case holds up really well, no dents what so ever. Today, I even banged it pretty hard against the metal door frame of my friends house and still nothing.
I'm not clumsy but crap happens all of the time and I have to say that my watch has held up really well.

I'm trying to baby my watch as much as possible and I still have no scratches on the band. I know eventually that will happen as it will with all watches but so far, my experience with Tag has been great. Don't let your friend or other forum members discourage you. At the end, you are the one who sees the watch everyday and you are the one who wears it. If you like the Carerra, then go for it.:-!

[Mr BIG]

At the end of the day only the bezel is made of Aluminium. The rest of the watch is stainless steel!!!!!!

So after enjoying wearing it (and wearing out the bezel) then you just simply replace the bezel for a new one like you would change the tyres on you car when they wear out:-D

[thechief]

As stated above.|>|>|>|>|>

[Paintrain]

At the end of the day only the bezel is made of Aluminium. The rest of the watch is stainless steel!!!!!!

So after enjoying wearing it (and wearing out the bezel) then you just simply replace the bezel for a new one like you would change the tyres on you car when they wear out:-D

What is the price to replace the bezel? I've had the watch for 6 months and it has 3 tiny pits that I have to find by running my finger nail around the bezel.

I wear the watch 24/7 and I've hit it against steel door frames etc. more times than I could count. I wear the watch on duty as Police Officer. despite having other watches I could wear. I did not buy this watch to hide in my safe.

They should have made the bezel out of steel or titanium. But the despite the crappy bezel I would not trade for the others mentioned (and a few not mentioned).:-!

[Timewarp]

Maybe the bezel is in aluminium but Carrera is still my favorite line from TAG Heuer. What a great design, I can't never get tired of it.

And that is an important point for me.