2020 TAG Heuer Formula 1 Heuer 02 Fragment Design by Fujiwara (CAZ201A) - Hiroshi strikes again!

THJunkie · Jun 20, 2020

Mr_Orange
It isn't a strange scale. It is the same scale with different labels on it. That is all.

ah ok. And what do those numbers mean? In terms of what they represent vs the other examples? Why have they changed that?

and to clarify, when I meant by ‘strange’ is that the spacing between the measurement points and the sequencing of the numbers seemed odd. Most others I’ve seen have a relative scale and consistent spacing and number Increment. Assuming of course the sweeping seconds hand goes smoothly around at a constant rate. So there must be functional reason that explains that I expect? I don’t follow F1 (“sport”) so maybe that's where the answer lies. I doubt it will be used to time artillery shelling. 😜

Mr_Orange · Jun 20, 2020

THJunkie
ah ok. And what do those numbers mean? In terms of what they represent vs the other examples? Why have they changed that?

The numbers can be whatever unit of speed you choose to measure - mph, kmh, knots.

You time a known distance and tachymetre scale indicates the average speed. For example, if you travel 1 mile in 30 seconds, the chronograph second hand will be pointing at the 6 o'clock position, indicating an average speed of 120mph.

I have no idea why the Fragment model has labelled 63 and 66 instead of just 65.

THJunkie · Jun 20, 2020

Or respective replies crossed. But thanks. I’ve no idea either. It just looks a bit odd I suppose without knowing the reason. I hope there is a good technical reason to how that can be applied and it is just not the case of a fashion designer making things up ::rimshot::

.

THJunkie · Jun 20, 2020

And is it just my eyesight, or is the triangle marker in the wrist shot above off by 1s? I assume it rotates in that case.

Mr_Orange · Jun 20, 2020

THJunkie
Or respective replies crossed. But thanks. I’ve no idea either. It just looks a bit odd I suppose without knowing the reason. I hope there is a good technical reason to how that can be applied and it is just not the case of a fashion designer making things up .

I think you might be missing the point.

Imagine your tape measure has labels for 8 and 13 instead of 10 and 15. It's the same tape measure and you can still work out what the intermediate markers indicate so it really doesn't matter which markers are labelled.

kappa_md · Jun 20, 2020

After reading newly released articles from Calibre 11, OTD & Hodinkee, (great inputs and thoughts BTW 👍) the inspiration is definitely from the Viceroy Autavia, yet the packaging is done in the modern counterpart of the Autavia which is the Formula 1. I have come to understand why Fujiwara chose not to put any label of “Formula1” or “Autavia” at the dial, so as to appreciate the essence of the design and create “disruption” 😲 but in a positive way 😉 Mixing and matching elements of the vintage Viceroy & modern Fragment. Creating the “Modern Vintage” Like I said, the Fragment F1, probably is the nicest Formula1 watch to date especially with the modern in-house CH02. 👍 It is already reimagining the Formula1 lineup and stepping up the game, not just to be seen as a “quartz” version lineup, which I do believe is a great move for TAG Heuer!

So after this buzz, when does the Aquaracer or Link get a Calibre Heuer 02 movement? 🙄

Albert-AMG · Jun 20, 2020

C calibre11user
Why is the tachymeter bezel on this new watch so asymmetrically busy at 11 o'clock? Is there a name for this style of tachymeter to distinguish it from other bezels in the Carrera and Formula 1 lines?

I guess because this watch is inspired in the Autavia 1163, so it took the same tachymeter scale and numbers (with 63 and 66 instead of just 65 km/h)

El Matarife · Jun 20, 2020

Mr_Orange
I think you might be missing the point.

Imagine your tape measure has labels for 8 and 13 instead of 10 and 15. It's the same tape measure and you can still work out what the intermediate markers indicate so it really doesn't matter which markers are labelled.

It seems like a ruler. But randomly choosing which cm to mark. And the spacing of the tick marks on the bezel changes too. Why do they get closer at the 7 o'clock position? I get that this does not alter the function. So why do this?

The bezel is so busy it clashes with the relatively clean dial. Urgh, tachymeter bezels are not my thing. Uni directional dive bezels all the way. (I scuba!)

Albert-AMG · Jun 20, 2020

THJunkie
And is it just my eyesight, or is the triangle marker in the wrist shot above off by 1s? I assume it rotates in that case.

It’s an optical effect due to the angle at which the photo is taken, which is not entirely frontal. It’s a fixed bezel

Albert-AMG · Jun 20, 2020

El Matarife
It seems like a ruler. But randomly choosing which cm to mark. And the spacing of the tick marks on the bezel changes too. Why do they get closer at the 7 o'clock position? I get that this does not alter the function. So why do this?

Because it’s an heritage detail: exactly same tachymeter bezel as in the Autavia 1163

abrod520 · Jun 20, 2020

The Autavia originally included these gradations because it's meant for auto racing (originally, rallying). Where speeds are more often measured in the 50-70 mph range, than they are the 400mph range!

Consequently, there's more focus on the numbers on the latter side of the bezel - see how close the tick marks are from 110 on down to 80?

Some older tachymetre chronographs actually had the scale continue past 60 into the 50s for this reason:

El Matarife · Jun 20, 2020

abrod520
The Autavia originally included these gradations because it's meant for auto racing (originally, rallying). Where speeds are more often measured in the 50-70 mph range, than they are the 400mph range!

Consequently, there's more focus on the numbers on the latter side of the bezel - see how close the tick marks are from 110 on down to 80?

Some older tachymetre chronographs actually had the scale continue past 60 into the 50s for this reason:

Thanks for the information! The dial of that Carrera is really nicely laid out.

Albert-AMG · Jun 20, 2020

Testing the Formula 1 Fragment Heuer 02 in its TH Connected version... and I'm getting used to this dial. I like it! 😉 👍

Mspeedster · Jun 20, 2020

I really like this watch, but dang that price tag! I just feel it's overpriced. 😡
The price tag of the Fragment Carrera is also what stopped me from buying one, I really love that watch too but just couldn't justify its price. Fujiwara Fragment doesn't equal a 2k premium in my book. It will be interesting to see how quickly this one gets snapped up. In the Carrera's case, it took quite a while for TH to sell all of them.

THJunkie · Jun 20, 2020

Mr_Orange
I think you might be missing the point.

Imagine your tape measure has labels for 8 and 13 instead of 10 and 15. It's the same tape measure and you can still work out what the intermediate markers indicate so it really doesn't matter which markers are labelled.

You’re quite right. Thanks for the straightener. I’d been up most of the night working and not thinking that clearly this morning.

I admit I’ve never actually used the Tachy on any of mine and unless I buy a boat I doubt I ever will. I’ll have to read up on their application.

cheers!

Aquagraph · Jun 20, 2020

Mspeedster
I really like this watch, but dang that price tag! I just feel it's overpriced. 😡

I'm not disagreeing with you, but how low could it have gone with a Heuer 02 movement? If the issue is the case, how much actual 'value' is there in a F1 case vs an Autavia 'case'? They are both basically the same - in fact isn't the case of the F1 basically inspired by an old Autavia case... I just wonder if it had been £3000 say, then wouldn't that have made the other H02 models look expensive?

cwsbbb · Jun 20, 2020

The OTD article does such a good job of placing this within the TH range and history.

Mspeedster · Jun 20, 2020

Aquagraph
I'm not disagreeing with you, but how low could it have gone with a Heuer 02 movement? If the issue is the case, how much actual 'value' is there in a F1 case vs an Autavia 'case'? They are both basically the same - in fact isn't the case of the F1 basically inspired by an old Autavia case... I just wonder if it had been £3000 say, then wouldn't that have made the other H02 models look expensive?

I have no issue with the case, I think the current F1 case is a nice step up from its predecessors in quality and finish. My issue is that the F1 is positioned as an entry level watch in TH's range. But this watch, which also has Autavia DNA, is more expensive than any Autavia in TH's line up. I can buy a new heritage TH Autavia Viceroy for hundreds less than this F1 and get a true Autavia.

I think if this watch was priced right around $5000 USD (£4000), it would still be very expensive for an F1, but a little more acceptable for me. Since the standard heritage Autavia starts at about $5300. Or if TH had decided to brand it an Autavia, then its price sitting atop the Autavia line might have been easier to accept as well.

Remo · Jun 21, 2020

The quality of the watch and movement seems to be at eyelevel with the modern Heritage Autavias. The design of the bracelet is new. The colored sapphire is new. The design as a whole is more or less unprecedented. And of course the Fragment branding must be a very substancial share of the price.
From my view it's high but adequate.

Mspeedster · Jun 21, 2020

C cwsbbb
The OTD article does such a good job of placing this within the TH range and history.

-- From OTD--
Offering the Fragment Formula 1 Limited Edition, with its Heuer 02 movement, certainly sends the message that the Formula 1 is no longer the “entry level” watch for high school graduations and people buying their first “real watch”. With the introduction of the Fragment Formula 1, the collection now covers the entire range from “accessible” luxury to “aspirational” luxury. This is a watch for enthusiasts.
--
This is no tweaking of TAG Heuer’s current models of Autavia or Formula 1 chronograph. This is not an update or a refresh of either model line. Rather, it is as if Fujiwara has pressed the key, “Return to Default Settings”, and in an instant the Formula 1 chronograph that had been evolving over the last three decades was transformed into the ultimate racing watch of the 1970s.
--
To those who will lament the fact that this new Fragment creation is marked “Formula 1” rather than “Autavia”, we can say, “The king is dead; long live the king.” The Formula 1 collection is TAG Heuer’s pure play in racing chronographs, and with the pedigree of the “Viceroy” Autavia and the superb quality of the Heuer 02 movement, the Fragment Formula 1 chronograph wears the crown well.
--

OTD/Jeff Stein does his best to explain (spin?) the logic of TAG Heuer's product placement. But I highly doubt the majority of the buying public will see it this way. You can not simply press a "Return to Default Settings" and undo decades of market perception. It's like if Honda decided that their Civic line would no longer be entry level and would include a high-end Civic luxury-performance model priced north of $80K. Would I pay $80K for a Civic just because Honda tells me it's no longer entry level? Nope.

2020 TAG Heuer Formula 1 Heuer 02 Fragment Design by Fujiwara (CAZ201A) - Hiroshi strikes again!

THJunkie

Mr_Orange

THJunkie

THJunkie

Mr_Orange

kappa_md

Albert-AMG

El Matarife

Albert-AMG

Albert-AMG

abrod520

El Matarife

Albert-AMG

Mspeedster

THJunkie

Aquagraph

cwsbbb

Mspeedster

Remo

Mspeedster

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