Why do TAG's get a bad rap??

[BFW122083]

Hey everyone. Im a new member and an owner of two TAG's. I love my Carrera Day Date and Aquaracer Calibre 5. I come across some sites that seem to not be in favor of TAG's and I don't understand why. Of all the other brands I look at, I am always drawn back to the design and style of TAG's. Are they not " high end" enough? Anyone else see the same thing?

[Wisconsin Proud]

TAG sells about 800,000 watches every year in many price levels. Buy it if you like it.

[BFW122083]

I bought two because I liked them :) Just wondering if someone knew something about them that I didn't.

[Dakota2cSRT4]

Part is the customer service... If they even have one. I own two TAGs but don't think I'd buy another due to the headache and issues I've dealt with surrounding my Aquaracer. I will admit, I have always liked their styling and their new pieces continue to peak my interest. Unfortunately for TAG, I'll only be a window shopper.

[jjt2]

+1

[Vaxe]

From my perspective, TAG Heuer is looked down upon because of the company's pricing structure. Ever since Omega raised their price ceiling, TAG Heuer responded by increasing prices as well but made no improvements on quality.

The Carrera line uses non-COSC ETA and Sellita movements but now has listed MSRPs that are on par with a base model Zenith El Primero. They are also slowing approaching JLC and IWC pricing for SS models, but still uses the same non-ebauche movement as a $350 Hamilton (although the same can be said for many other manufacturers).

Despite the high MSRP, you can usually buy TAG Heuers from ADs for 30%, and close to 50% off on the gray market. For this reason, many regard it as a company that produces overpriced fashion watches due to the intentional inflation of MSRP that does not reflect true market value.


Although I personally respect the company for its avande garde design and innovations, the fact that it's trying to play the price-gouge game with other far more recognizable companies is bothersome. It looks especially bad when its watches continuously sell for half of its listed price.

[whitestardan]

And aren't most of the ETA movements in TAG watches Elaboree instead of Top, or is it assumed?

[Triton9]

From my perspective, TAG Heuer is looked down upon because of the company's pricing structure. Ever since Omega raised their price ceiling, TAG Heuer responded by increasing prices as well but made no improvements on quality.

The Carrera line uses non-COSC ETA and Sellita movements but now has listed MSRPs that are on par with a base model Zenith El Primero. They are also slowing approaching JLC and IWC pricing for SS models, but still uses the same non-ebauche movement as a $350 Hamilton (although the same can be said for many other manufacturers).

Despite the high MSRP, you can usually buy TAG Heuers from ADs for 30%, and close to 50% off on the gray market. For this reason, many regard it as a company that produces overpriced fashion watches due to the intentional inflation of MSRP that does not reflect true market value.


Although I personally respect the company for its avande garde design and innovations, the fact that it's trying to play the price-gouge game with other far more recognizable companies is bothersome. It looks especially bad when its watches continuously sell for half of its listed price.

Quite well say but I still respect them for their design innovation as what u mention. I love my Tag aquaracer but I will not pay a brand new Tag price. Even my Tag watch is a pre-own with good price.

[Eeeb]

And aren't most of the ETA movements in TAG watches Elaboree instead of Top, or is it assumed?

The search function knows alll.... it is your friend.

[Protest]

From my perspective, TAG Heuer is looked down upon because of the company's pricing structure. Ever since Omega raised their price ceiling, TAG Heuer responded by increasing prices as well but made no improvements on quality.

The Carrera line uses non-COSC ETA and Sellita movements but now has listed MSRPs that are on par with a base model Zenith El Primero. They are also slowing approaching JLC and IWC pricing for SS models, but still uses the same non-ebauche movement as a $350 Hamilton (although the same can be said for many other manufacturers).

Despite the high MSRP, you can usually buy TAG Heuers from ADs for 30%, and close to 50% off on the gray market. For this reason, many regard it as a company that produces overpriced fashion watches due to the intentional inflation of MSRP that does not reflect true market value.


Although I personally respect the company for its avande garde design and innovations, the fact that it's trying to play the price-gouge game with other far more recognizable companies is bothersome. It looks especially bad when its watches continuously sell for half of its listed price.

I'll preface this by saying I am very new to watches, but I think that what you're describing are things more steeped in perception than in reality.

Mostly all companies increase their prices regularly, any speculation as to why Tag's prices increased is purely an educated guess at best. For instance, I could say the price hikes by Tag had less to do with Omega, and more to do with the direction Tag is headed. They increased their prices in anticipation of an increase in expense due to purchasing their new factories, and producing more in house movements.

Furthermore, the COSC certification is nice, but many watches, including my Carrera, fall well within the COSC rating standards. According to some people on these boards, their $100 Orient watches fall within COSC standards. So is that extra certification truly worth anything?

Also, getting 30% off at an AD, and 50% off in grey market is an exaggeration. Maybe there are a couple unpopular discontinued models you could find, but most grey market sites have Tag's discounted in the 25%-35% range. Omega's are definitely not reduced that much, in the 20% range, but that has to do with the pricing structure of the companies. Tag produces the F1 entry level models, that come with "entry level" prices. Therefore, the exclusivity of the brand is reduced, and the perception of the brand as a purely luxury watchmaker is diminished.

The truth of the matter is that their business model is just different than Rolex and Omega. They don't value the exclusivity as much as they value appealing to a larger audience. The fact is that these watches don't need to be sold for this much. Once you start getting into the thousands of dollars for a watch you're already getting gauged, regardless of what name is etched on it.

Basically the answer of the question lies in this statement:

"the fact that it's trying to play the price-gouge game with other far more recognizable companies is bothersome."

It is all perception.