Feature: The most affordable TAG Heuer watches
Bursting with heritage and known for its avant-garde designs and pioneering technology, TAG Heuer has for decades been one of the watch industry’s most visible brands.
Its catalogue caters for every conceivable watch collector, whether you’re into cutting-edge tourbillons or starting out on your watch collecting journey and seeking something more affordable.
For the latter, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite entry-level TAG Heuer models, past and present. All watches are less than £3.5k at the time of writing.
Carrera, reference WBN2110.FC6623
The Carrera began life in the early 1960s as one of Heuer’s famous motor-racing chronographs, which include the Monaco and the Autavia. Since then, the line has been expanded to include simpler time-and-date models.
Granted, these are not quite as adept at accurately timing laps at the Grand Prix, but they are sporty, stylish and accessibly priced, starting at £2,850 brand-new for this stainless-steel version on a perforated racing-style leather strap. It runs on a Calibre 5 automatic movement, visible through the exhibition caseback.
Formula One Date, reference WAZ1010.BA0842
Since its first battery-powered watches emerged in the 1970s, TAG Heuer (or Heuer, as it was called back in the day) has always offered its customers a wide range of quartz models. This technology is now largely confined to the Formula One and Link collections, which are also where you’ll find some of the brand’s biggest bargains.
This Formula One model boasts a blue sunray dial and matching bezel with bold markers. Best of all, it’s fit for the swimming pool or sea, too, with a rotational bezel and a water resistance of 200 metres—which is all you’ll ever need unless you’re exploring shipwrecks.
Formula One chronograph, reference CAZ101AP.BA0842
Once you’re in the realm of chronographs, things get a little steeper price-wise. But if you stick with quartz, rather than mechanical, you can still find some great TAG Heuers around the £2k mark. This Formula 1 model features a dial that’s nothing less than a beacon on the wrist thanks to its vivid green dial.
This contrasts wonderfully with the black subdials and PVD-coated bezel You also get a date window at 4 o’clock. Green not your thing? It comes with a vibrant red dial, too.
Aquaracer Professional 300 Date, reference WBP231C.BA0626
The Aquaracer is TAG Heuer’s long-running dive watch collection, a more-than-capable alternative to Rolex’s Submariner or Omega’s Seamaster.
With 300 metre water resistance, an automatic movement and a fade-proof ceramic bezel, it’s hard to find another watch from a deep-rooted Swiss brand that offers such good value (current price is £3,100). We love the wave-pattern dial and the octagonal lume dots that (sort of) echo the dodecagonal bezel.
Formula 1 Solargraph, reference WBY1160.FT8085
This sporty Solargraph made from TH Polylight—a kind of durable plastic that’s more sustainable than regular plastic—could pass for a Swatch. With its bold red case and notched green bezel, there’s something slightly “Lego” about its appearance, but this might endear it to TAG Heuer’s younger fans.
There’s no battery or mechanical movement here. This watch relies purely on solar-power—around a minute’s exposure to any light source powers it for the whole day. The RRP at the time of writing is £1,550.
Of course, if these are still out of your price range, there are endless discontinued models to delve into...
Kirium, reference WL1110.BA0700
The designer behind the brand’s discontinued Kirium line was Jorg Hysek, who also designed Vacheron Constantin’s 222 model. Launched in the 1990s, the Kirium—which influenced the contemporary Link range— developed into a sprawling collection of quartz-powered models, which is why they’re still in plentiful supply on the pre-owned market.
You’ll find most models for well under £1,000, whether they’re time-and-date versions or chronographs. The Kirium line is easily identifiable by its notched bezel and integrated three-link bracelet.
Monaco, reference WW2110.FC6177
TAG Heuer usually flexes its most cutting-edge technology via the Monaco, which also happens to be the brand’s most easily recognisable watch thanks to its square case. But while the Monaco is best known for being a motorsports chronograph, there is a simpler alternative.
This time-and-date model gives the Monaco a touch of monochrome elegance. It’s a far cry from the blue-dialled version Steve McQueen famously wore behind the wheel of his Porsche in the film Le Mans, but he might well have paired it with a tuxedo at the Oscars. You can pick this model up for less than £2k on the pre-owned market.
Professional 1000, ref: 980.113N
Image courtesy of Bonhams
Neo-vintage stainless-steel TAG Heuer watches, especially those from the 1990s, offer great value. Best of all, models like the recent collaboration with the US fashion brand, Kith—which revived the old-style Formula One models with a plastic bezel—means that neo-vintage TAG Heuer is as collectable as ever.
This model is part of its wide-ranging Professional series, which came in a multitude of styles, many of which can be bought for less than £500 if you’re willing to hunt around.
