Horological Meandering

bernard cheong
7182

• Show profile
• Show other posts

Finally, Tag Heuer....Tag Heuer V4

I can't resist...after 10 years, I see finally people SELLING their V4 s..in titanium..the rest will trickle in.

But before you do sell.

May be I can share...and I hope I don't spoil anyone's day.

So..we go back in time...2004/2006...

When I was at Basel during the early prototype stages, I thought this was to be another concept car, never to see light.

It made no sense for belt drive, even today.

But as the tourbillons evolved next to smart phones today, I realized my error, and that watch making had the beginings of the arguments at the Salon during 1860 to 1870.

This watch has run tough, bashed, gone deep in my home pool....not one minute fast/slow...no repairs. It's like an eta !!!

And for once, a big company to fix it, if I drop it on a really hard floor.

I feel good wearing it, because it's just a Tag...I don't get the "expensive watch" looks...that's if you don't want it.

You can reactivate it...by telling, it makes the best conversation piece, without too much price.
 

The Monaco V4 is the world’s first watch with belt drives, linear mass and ball bearings. Industrialized and entirely hand manufactured for real.

Tag was large, successful, and a move like this was early.

So relevant was Tag as a player, it could have upturned the Opus projects, MB&F and so many small but important makers.

If it was successful, and it was, all these have long sold out...sold out faster than the Opus and MB&F, possibly because of Tag's size and ability...even to rope in Dufour.

I stayed away.

But times have matured.

The mocking laughter has softened.

And I expect great things from Biver...even for a few weeks.

With the closing of the rather conservative high end branch recently, I am hoping a technical branch as fascinating as this may be Biver's new palette.

This watch is massive.

As heavy as my Opus V, I think it's the crystal.

It's also a complete really new watch...in every way.

Even the strap is new.

There is nothing like this.

This is the only watch that takes on Greubel Forsey for extremes, and the best way of arguments.

There will always be great Pateks, RMs and Rolex...even if I miss buying one...I know I have a chance to pick it up later.

The guys who buy Greubel Forseys and Tag V4 's...they don't have to sell their watches. Don't count me in....I am an outlier.

If one trawls the web, Opus 3, Opus 5, Cabestan, Antiquas, and this Tag V4 are rare animals.

Just about 1% less rare than platinum Greubel Forsey IP1...only 11 exist.

It's maybe not possible to buy a Greubel Forsey IP1 platinum...like a Dufour duality. Who knows.

Stories of very low prices are true....owners who are too shy, too embarrassed to admit buying any of the above often fall prey to good smart grey buyers, who will off load at 10 to 20 times the price they paid.

The age of the art pieces have cemented their arrival...a rough start, and not going to get easier.

BUT...Tag has never had a Chinese market. That's good. Because I really expect the west to play ball this time, and change the arc of history.

Site Info.