Help with Carrera/Monza
Discussion
Hi chaps,
I'm a total ignoramus when it comes to watches, as my selection may attest, but I wanted to get some information from you knowledgable chaps about the following watches. All are Tag Heuers;
Monza Callibre 36
Heuer Carrera
Tag Heuer Carrera
So, aside from asthetics and personal taste, does anyone have any information I really should know about the selected models (not the history of the exact watch or anything... unless you know it!).
Phil.
I'm a total ignoramus when it comes to watches, as my selection may attest, but I wanted to get some information from you knowledgable chaps about the following watches. All are Tag Heuers;
Monza Callibre 36
Heuer Carrera
Tag Heuer Carrera
So, aside from asthetics and personal taste, does anyone have any information I really should know about the selected models (not the history of the exact watch or anything... unless you know it!).
- What are they like to live with day to day?
- Why would the Monza be so much more expensive than the Carrera's?
- How come a 1998 watch costs the same as a 2003 watch?
- Any other gems of information that'll help me decide between the three?
Phil.
I have the dual time Carrera as an everyday watch and it's excellent. Gains a small amount of time, but generally pretty accurate.
I did have to replace the strap though - it didn't take kindly to my sweaty wrists and began to hum a bit. I got a nice Hirsh waterproof leather strap from www.strapfactory.co.uk - would recommend you do the same if you don't go for the metal strap.
Otherwise the watch looks great. I didn't go for the chronograph (how often are you likely to really need that feature...?) but the dual time is useful to keep tabs on my offshore team!
UV
I did have to replace the strap though - it didn't take kindly to my sweaty wrists and began to hum a bit. I got a nice Hirsh waterproof leather strap from www.strapfactory.co.uk - would recommend you do the same if you don't go for the metal strap.
Otherwise the watch looks great. I didn't go for the chronograph (how often are you likely to really need that feature...?) but the dual time is useful to keep tabs on my offshore team!
UV
Tag Heuer used to be known as Heuer. The second carrera watch is a recent re-issue of an older 60s Heuer watch, as it is just called Heuer it is perhaps a little rarer than a Tag Heuer Carrera.
Both watches are almost the same except for the name on the front.
The Monza is more expensive as it uses Tag's Calibre 36 movement which is said to be very accurate with a high frequency balance wheel that has a pendulum oscillating at 36,000 vibrations per hour.
Tag Heuer has re-issued many watches like this (see monaco, monza, carrera etc).
If you want to see some of the original Heuers check out, www.heuerboy.com/heuerwatches.htm
Both watches are almost the same except for the name on the front.
The Monza is more expensive as it uses Tag's Calibre 36 movement which is said to be very accurate with a high frequency balance wheel that has a pendulum oscillating at 36,000 vibrations per hour.
Tag Heuer has re-issued many watches like this (see monaco, monza, carrera etc).
If you want to see some of the original Heuers check out, www.heuerboy.com/heuerwatches.htm
Edited by stovey on Monday 1st October 17:00
freddies_dad said:
Thanks chaps.
Would the relative rarity of the Heuer mean that it should hold it's value better?
Are there any reasons not to consider any of the watches listed (again, personal taste not withstanding!).
Thanks,
Phil
The original (pre-Tag) Heuers are most desirable (by miles) and the re-issues marked just Heuer are more desirable than those with Tag Heuer on the dial. Would the relative rarity of the Heuer mean that it should hold it's value better?
Are there any reasons not to consider any of the watches listed (again, personal taste not withstanding!).
Thanks,
Phil
freddies_dad said:
Would the relative rarity of the Heuer mean that it should hold it's value better?
Yes, although not by much. Most watches will depreciate certainly at this price level. Check the RRP of those you like compared to the second hand value.As tertius said it goes Original Heuer then re-issue heuer then Tag Heuer amongst the watch boffins. Although re-issue Heurs are the same as the Tags except in name.
There is nothing wrong with any of the watches you've looked at. Have you tried them on? Sometimes watches look quite different 'on' than in pictures.
There are some more pictures of those watches and some info on www.chronomaster.co.uk which is a good place to buy from.
Edited by stovey on Monday 1st October 18:10
I have a Monza Calibre 36 Black Face.
I love the watch especially black face / brown strap combo. It is fairly accurate, within the Chronometer spec that its supposed to be.
I paid just a little under 2K for it in 02, but I bought it in Canada and haggled. I dont think they Monzas are current models anymore so you will have to buy a s/h one or get one from a shop that has some old stock.
There is a less expensive version of the Monza (most recent models, not Heuer Vintage) that didnt use the Calibre 36 movement but IMO I didnt think they looked as nice as the Cal 36 models.
As UV says in his post the straps can age quite quickly if worn every day, and also the watch isnt 'waterproof'. For that reason I dont wear mine every day. Also I bought both the black and brown straps from new so every now and then I change them.
go on - get the Monza!
I love the watch especially black face / brown strap combo. It is fairly accurate, within the Chronometer spec that its supposed to be.
I paid just a little under 2K for it in 02, but I bought it in Canada and haggled. I dont think they Monzas are current models anymore so you will have to buy a s/h one or get one from a shop that has some old stock.
There is a less expensive version of the Monza (most recent models, not Heuer Vintage) that didnt use the Calibre 36 movement but IMO I didnt think they looked as nice as the Cal 36 models.
As UV says in his post the straps can age quite quickly if worn every day, and also the watch isnt 'waterproof'. For that reason I dont wear mine every day. Also I bought both the black and brown straps from new so every now and then I change them.
go on - get the Monza!
It's quite chunky, but not like a Panerai or some of the bigger Breitlings, or even the Monaco.
Its also quite thick /tall so it does catch on things sometimes, and doesnt always fit under a tight cuffed shirt. Thankfully it has mineral glass so it doesnt scratch easily.
Best bet is to go and try it on somewhere.
Its also quite thick /tall so it does catch on things sometimes, and doesnt always fit under a tight cuffed shirt. Thankfully it has mineral glass so it doesnt scratch easily.
Best bet is to go and try it on somewhere.
Personally I have worn the middle one (heuer reissue) almost every day for the past three years.
By far my favourite watch.
I also have to hand the tag logo'd auto version you linked (my fathers) while it is awaiting a new strap.
The two are different in much more than name. The manual heuer logo'd one is far superior in movement and desirability. In my opinion it looks better too-smaller and far cleaner with the smaller logo and no date window.
The differences:
-Manual Lemania 1873 movement vs auto calibre 17.
-Smaller
-Thinner
-Plexi-glass not sapphire (plexi is cheaper and wont easily shatter but will scratch- easily polished out though- from experience)
-No date
- The perforated strap is slightly different (inside the holes its light- as opposed to dark on the autos) although this doesnt matter as the one you linked to is on a non original strap...
-Manual one has a traditional buckle (should be signed if original)- auto has a safety bracelet/clasp
A replacement perforated strap for the Heuer logo one is £120 from tag or you can pick up a decent quality replica one on ebay for £20 if that's too much.
Dont forget if you plump for the manual heuer, you really should get it serviced every couple of years. Mine is in at the moment - £175 plus £25 for new plexi glass. I think a replacement sapphire for the auto is some ridiculous figure well into the £100s if you ever need to replace that.
Will gladly post a side by side pic for comparison when mine is back from being serviced- should be next week. Ish.
By far my favourite watch.
I also have to hand the tag logo'd auto version you linked (my fathers) while it is awaiting a new strap.
The two are different in much more than name. The manual heuer logo'd one is far superior in movement and desirability. In my opinion it looks better too-smaller and far cleaner with the smaller logo and no date window.
The differences:
-Manual Lemania 1873 movement vs auto calibre 17.
-Smaller
-Thinner
-Plexi-glass not sapphire (plexi is cheaper and wont easily shatter but will scratch- easily polished out though- from experience)
-No date
- The perforated strap is slightly different (inside the holes its light- as opposed to dark on the autos) although this doesnt matter as the one you linked to is on a non original strap...
-Manual one has a traditional buckle (should be signed if original)- auto has a safety bracelet/clasp
A replacement perforated strap for the Heuer logo one is £120 from tag or you can pick up a decent quality replica one on ebay for £20 if that's too much.
Dont forget if you plump for the manual heuer, you really should get it serviced every couple of years. Mine is in at the moment - £175 plus £25 for new plexi glass. I think a replacement sapphire for the auto is some ridiculous figure well into the £100s if you ever need to replace that.
Will gladly post a side by side pic for comparison when mine is back from being serviced- should be next week. Ish.
Edited by GCH on Wednesday 3rd October 21:09
GCH said:
Interesting stuff
Thanks GCH! Most informative. I have to confess that I hadn't noticed that the Heuer didn't have a date window - unfortunately, 
that's something I want/need. Also, I know what I'm like with things that scratch easily!This leaves the "Tag" Carrera and the Monza... I think I'm going to have to try both on.
freddies_dad said:
This leaves the "Tag" Carrera and the Monza... I think I'm going to have to try both on.
Some good info on this thread, but that's the only thing to do.I was convinced that I wanted a Monza (still really like them) but it didn't look right when I tried it on. Tried on a Carrera (1964-2004 edition) at the same time, and although I hadn't really considered one beforehand, once I'd tried it on I bought it.
I have a Monza re-issue, black dial and dark brown strap.
It is not a chronograph or the C36 movement, so it might be a bit slimmer than the one you are looking at. I especially like the chunky silver surround which contrasts nicely with the black dial and the silver inlays.
It is still quite a substantial watch and looks pleasingly retro. I have had many compliments on it.
It is very different to anything else available really, - the Monacco was far too big on my girly wrist.
If you like it, get it, it's an excellent choice!
(Just expect the strap to stink a little bit after a while of use. You'll get used to it soon enough...)
It is not a chronograph or the C36 movement, so it might be a bit slimmer than the one you are looking at. I especially like the chunky silver surround which contrasts nicely with the black dial and the silver inlays.
It is still quite a substantial watch and looks pleasingly retro. I have had many compliments on it.
It is very different to anything else available really, - the Monacco was far too big on my girly wrist.
If you like it, get it, it's an excellent choice!
(Just expect the strap to stink a little bit after a while of use. You'll get used to it soon enough...)
Edited by princeperch on Thursday 4th October 13:34
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff