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Heuer Ltd. Ed. Monaco...?

J
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abrod520 abrod520
Yes but Omega take care to put their watches together well, and use good movements. TAGs aren't very well made watches - ask me how I know.




Yup - bargain bin base movement, with a bargain bin chrono module stuck on it. Good on them for reversing the base module to get the left-hand crown, but that's really the only inspired touch on the modern Monaco.


Have to know, how is it that TAGs are not well made? And how do you qualify a bargain bin movement? Just want to know!
 
NikoMartinez_SYD
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I have always been curious and close to buying a Monaco, but always back out at the end for some reason, i fear i'd get bored of it too quickly but i know i will own one eventually, vintage hopefully!
 
NGO1
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that 39mm is VERY deceiving. It wears like a 45mm. Current blue Monaco is still best looking, imho, for half the price. It's a lot of watch for the money, especially gray market.
 
Heuer-Monaco-Calibre-11-Ref-CAW211P-Blue-Steve-McQueen-2015-6.jpg
abrod520
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J jim_chung
Have to know, how is it that TAGs are not well made? And how do you qualify a bargain bin movement? Just want to know!

Case finishing on TAGs isn't too nice, nor are many of the hands they've used. And the movements are poorly finished / regulated. The Heuer-02 has had a few teething problems as well, though I don't think that's super unusual for a brand new in-house movement. They do have very nice dials generally though.

As for bargain-bin movements - TAG's base movements are Sellitas which are cheap ETA clones. Now, there's nothing wrong with that if you're a microbrand charging $300-$1500, but when you're asking $6500 (MSRP on a new Monaco) it's not great.
 
NGO1
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abrod520 abrod520
The Heuer-02 has had a few teething problems as well.

can you share some links of 02 teething issues.
Got a Heuer Fragment. 2 months old, no longer keeping time.
 
67B09B1F-9732-40ED-A692-E0D597C5377F.jpeg D58B20A8-75E3-4101-9524-4E5D66FE6BA4.jpeg
abrod520
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NGO1 ngo516
can you share some links of 02 teething issues.
Got a Heuer Fragment. 2 months old, no longer keeping time.

I don't have links (you can try Google) but I had an Autavia Calibre 11 Siffert LE that arrived with misaligned chrono hands.

When you say the Fragment is no longer keeping time, what do you mean? Does it stop, or run fast/slow?
 
NGO1
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fully wound, second hand runs for about 15sec, then stopped.
People poopoo over the Monaco for its generic movement, but my Monaco is bulletproof.
-1 for in-house Heuer 02!
Edited:
 
sjg22
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NGO1 ngo516
that 39mm is VERY deceiving. It wears like a 45mm. Current blue Monaco is still best looking, imho, for half the price. It's a lot of watch for the money, especially gray market.
The initial re-issues (CS2110 + CS2111) from 1998 are smaller. Not massively so, but enough that I found them to wear noticeably better on my smallish wrist. The re-issues are 38mm x 38mm and 13mm thick, whereas the newer models are 39mm x 39mm (which, on a square case, makes for a reasonably significant overall dimensions increase) and 15mm thick.

If you're keen on a Monaco but are worried about the size, I'd keep your eye out for a CS2111 - they're still quite reasonably priced and feature the "Heuer" only dial which I prefer. The Carrera re-issue from that time period is also quite nice. Mine was unfortunately stolen a number of years ago and I never replaced it - I do miss it and may have another crack at one someday.
 
NGO1
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Sorry for your loss, 2111 is certainly very nice. I’ll hunt one down to try on.
 
abrod520
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NGO1 ngo516
fully wound, second hand runs for about 15sec, then stopped.

Wow. Well you'll be pleased to know that it will require a trip back to La Chaux de Fonds as unless something has changed, the regional service centers can't work on Heuer-02s.

Personal tip: Send it in yourself with your own insurance, rather than dropping it off at an AD. Because the movement issue isn't the worst thing that happened to my Siffert LE...
 
NGO1
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abrod520 abrod520
Wow. Well you'll be pleased to know that it will require a trip back to La Chaux de Fonds as unless something has changed, the regional service centers can't work on Heuer-02s.

Personal tip: Send it in yourself with your own insurance, rather than dropping it off at an AD. Because the movement issue isn't the worst thing that happened to my Siffert LE...

any suggestion to avoid sending it home? I’m willing to pay out of pocket for service.
 
abrod520
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NGO1 ngo516
any suggestion to avoid sending it home? I’m willing to pay out of pocket for service.

Nope, the Heuer-02 is an in-house movement. Maybe in the past year they've trained up their regional service centers on the new movement + supplied them with any proprietary parts needed to service or replace, but you'll still need to send it in.

Check TAG's website for your country, they'll probably have a service kit you can request, to send it to them.
 
F
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I appreciate the comments, all very helpful. Still watching that one for sale, though...will probably just keep watching and be bummed i didn't spring on it...until the next one comes up. I just really like the looks of that one and there were so few made...
 
F
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Things took a rather surprising turn. I await delivery of my 50th Anniversary 1969-1979 Monaco (caw211v.fc6466). The more I think about/ see pics/ read about it, the more I like the watch as a 'wearer' and also appreciate its place in Monaco (timepiece) history. I am not super into racing, though I am a bit and have friends who are deep into the auto world in various ways. That invites the idea of enjoying the connection but in a less auto-centric way than other models are connected. I realize it is not a quintessential racing -inspired watch, lacking a tachymeter, etc., but it clearly has a connection with auto-racing lifestyle. This is the most extraordinary model in terms of looks in the Monaco lineup. The dial is just fascinating, I really enjoy it and look forward to determining whether it seems even more dynamic in person, as some articles/ posts have indicated. I like the left crown and the color scheme, and though am not generally a fan of big bulky watches, it fits with this item, as it is part of its etiology. It is a massively unique contrast to my other ('real') timepiece. It is a 50th Anniversary - I'll hit my 50th this year. Anyway, blah, blah, blah, I'm excited to receive, inspect, grow accustomed to it, will post pics if that is the thing to do here...I know there are many more higher-quality pics than I have the skill or equipment to produce, but I have some ideas for how to make it interesting...
 
stevec14
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Great stuff. I really like the look of it so interested to see the pics. Congrats. I hope you didn’t pay too much, but with limited nos these things go for a few quid.

it was my favourite of the limiteds but I like something a bit different.
 
F
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stevec14 stevec14
Great stuff. I really like the look of it so interested to see the pics. Congrats. I hope you didn’t pay too much, but with limited nos these things go for a few quid.

it was my favourite of the limiteds but I like something a bit different.

By far, my favorite of the 50th LEs...a truly limited edition - 119 each sold individually, plus another 50 each sold as sets of all 5 pieces. The colors and materials really appeal to me, and the relative quirky nature of the Monaco in the first consideration.

The seller was very gracious in accepting my offer. While still well over 'rrp', it was in line with the mount that the other 2 examples of this I watched over the last year sold for. I bought at a price I was comfortable paying for this item, as I will absolutely wear it. If I planned it as an investment or needed it to increase in value...I would have had a lower limit, but not much. I have faith that it will arrive in very good condition and I'll never suffer buyer's remorse for this!
 
jmazpiazu
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sjg22 sjg22
The initial re-issues (CS2110 + CS2111) from 1998 are smaller. Not massively so, but enough that I found them to wear noticeably better on my smallish wrist. The re-issues are 38mm x 38mm and 13mm thick, whereas the newer models are 39mm x 39mm (which, on a square case, makes for a reasonably significant overall dimensions increase) and 15mm thick.

If you're keen on a Monaco but are worried about the size, I'd keep your eye out for a CS2111 - they're still quite reasonably priced and feature the "Heuer" only dial which I prefer. The Carrera re-issue from that time period is also quite nice. Mine was unfortunately stolen a number of years ago and I never replaced it - I do miss it and may have another crack at one someday.

Agree with all the above. And I'd say that the CS2110 is the reissue that best captures the essence of the original Heuer Monaco.
Mine says hi 😀
923194-2114edb72fa15c6eb8a6ac1fdc66c583.jpg
 
Foo2rama
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Fliegerchrono Fliegerchrono
The vintage ones and first series from the nineties are supposed to be a millimeter smaller, is that true?
The watch wears large... all variations.

I’ve tried on vintage and the more modern ones and they are all too big. I can wear a 45.4 Planet Ocean. They tend to be very tall/thick watches and on my wrist they seem very odd balanced.
 
F
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I have been wearing it sparingly...in my office, which is just me alone these days. Very very low change of scratches, wear - it just seems this uniquecan item ought to stay in super nice condition. I changed the wristband to a brown shiny alligator, same (similar) clasp to original, mostly to preserve original, but I prefer the look of it that way, too. I was rather concerned about how large they wear, but it has not been an issue at all - it is tall, I've worn it loose and snug, it works much better than I imagined, I'm still just really, really happy with it. I don't have particularly large wrists, especially considering my size, but i have never felt itcwas the keast bit gaudy or uncomfortable.

Definitely shows its character best when in bright light, but I'm still too chicken to put it in the sun...don't want the face to fade (overthinking it?). The green Cotes de Geneve is just...sooooo...cool. Looks like grass in a freshly mowed field, green water waves, just draws my eye to it. It's on the pricey side for 'something shiny to stare at', but...oh well.

I read it is recommended for yearly service to check function and seals...opinions on how crucial that is to do? Support for doing or not?
 
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