2023 TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper CBS2213.FN6002

Mspeedster · Jul 13, 2023

HeuerLondon88
Similar to what others have also said. Could have done without the running seconds and date. Date could have been in the same colour as the dial if it has to be there!

Seeing it in person I’d probably put this watch in the bracket just beneath the recent anniversary Carrera’s from the last couple of years. However I still can’t justify the price to be honest, once we start getting to the £6k mark there are so many other pieces I’d rather pick up first!

You know the running seconds and date doesn't bother me much. I'm more irritated that TAG seemed to make design choices just to make it different, like having "Skipper" in the 9 o'clock register instead of above the logo, and the logo really should've been Heuer (IMHO) to be consistent with the original and Hodinkee versions.

Similar to the reverse panda glassbox, if this Skipper had been done as a heritage Heuer model (like the 60th anniversary), I'd have zero reservations about buying one.

Aquagraph · Jul 13, 2023

Mspeedster
The Skipper is nice, but it's hard to ignore the CronotempVs. It's less money, more rare, also inspired by a Carrera Yachting reference (1153BN), and for my taste, is actually slightly more appealing. OTOH, the Skipper is one of those mythical legendary Heuer models. That in itself carries quite a bit of weight. Plus the 15min regatta counter is cool.

Tough call, but my knee jerk reaction pulls to the CronotempVs. Having said that, I really do need to look at the Skipper again in different lighting.

Chronotempvs all day for me.

HeuerLondon88 · Jul 13, 2023

Mspeedster
You know the running seconds and date doesn't bother me much. I'm more irritated that TAG seemed to make design choices just to make it different, like having "Skipper" in the 9 o'clock register instead of above the logo, and the logo really should've been Heuer (IMHO) to be consistent with the original and Hodinkee versions.

Similar to the reverse panda glassbox, if this Skipper had been done as a heritage Heuer model (like the 60th anniversary), I'd have zero reservations about buying one.

Would have sold out on the day if it was a LE Heritage model as well. Some of the design choices do seem a bit off but that is the trend in recent years in my opinion. Considering the Skipper would mainly appeal to the Heuer market it would have made sense to go down that route. As many previous discussions have said though, looks like those days are done for the foreseeable!

imagwai · Jul 13, 2023

Personally, I think it's about time TAG brought some of their historic influence into the regular line-up via Tag Heuer branded models. And they've already done a heritage glassbox, Heuer branded Skipper. This is different and refreshing.

paysdoufs · Jul 13, 2023

Sounds like a number of folks around here are still not on board with the fact that - with the modern glassbox series - TH designers are fixing problems that no-one had in the first place…

A.k.a.: Here’s the answer to a question that no-one has asked 😜

paysdoufs · Jul 13, 2023

@imagwai - That’s obviously my very subjective stance, but while it is clearly not a re-issue, it’s maybe at the same time still too close for comfort to be considered a re-interpretation. I thus agree that a couple hundred of these in the heritage glassbox case and with Heuer-branding would have probably sold out overnight while these here will probably have a harder time in the marketplace.

Sc1mitar · Jul 13, 2023

Mspeedster
The Skipper is nice, but it's hard to ignore the CronotempVs. It's less money, more rare, also inspired by a Carrera Yachting reference (1153BN), and for my taste, is actually slightly more appealing. OTOH, the Skipper is one of those mythical legendary Heuer models. That in itself carries quite a bit of weight. Plus the 15min regatta counter is cool.

Tough call, but my knee jerk reaction pulls to the CronotempVs. Having said that, I really do need to look at the Skipper again in different lighting.

Especially if that is a textured dial, like it looks. I think the advantage of the Skipper is that it will hit the second hand market and can be bought at a discount, whereas the Crono will be list only and I suspect rarely sold. (I got really lucky and got the cherry red Carrera at under list second hand!)

Aquagraph · Jul 13, 2023

paysdoufs
@imagwai - That’s obviously my very subjective stance, but while it is clearly not a re-issue, it’s maybe at the same time still too close for comfort to be considered a re-interpretation. I thus agree that a couple hundred of these in the heritage glassbox case and with Heuer-branding would have probably sold out overnight while these here will probably have a harder time in the marketplace.

Well sure it would, because they've already made it and they are trading for way over list.

Anthony. · Jul 13, 2023

Someone cashing in on the Skipper Hype.

Anthony. · Jul 13, 2023

imagwai
Personally, I think it's about time TAG brought some of their historic influence into the regular line-up via Tag Heuer branded models. And they've already done a heritage glassbox, Heuer branded Skipper. This is different and refreshing.

I'm with you Charlie.
When I first saw the pics in January I was not very impressed. Especially after getting the Hodinkee Skipper. Then I thought about it as a different piece. I'm kind of happy it's got Tag Heuer on the dial. It's a point of difference from the Hodinkee.

imagwai · Jul 13, 2023

Exactly, don't think of it as a reissue. It takes a great design from the past into a modern watch that I think is hopefully good enough to hold it's own in the marketplace without having to rely solely on "vintage-inspired" sales to enthusiasts.

HeuerLondon88 · Jul 13, 2023

I completely understand those view points, but after the initial hype, are these really going to do well? The average watch buyer walking into a TAG Heuer boutique will just go for the blue dial glassbox I’d have thought.

abrod520 · Jul 13, 2023

Mspeedster
Really? I'm surprised. I thought you didn't like bracelets, you always swap them out immediately for an aftermarket strap.

Generally I don't, but there are two kinds of bracelets I like - titanium, and I also find that bracelets on smaller (or in this case, smaller-feeling) watches make them feel a bit more substantial. I wouldn't wear a 40mm+ watch on a bracelet, but for this I think it works really well!

paysdoufs
That’s quite astounding! TH should have offered you the bracelet for finding that out and promoting it on the internet 😀

I can't take credit, it was my awesome Boutique team who figured it out initially!

abrod520 · Jul 13, 2023

Ara · Jul 13, 2023

Nalin
+1 on this experience.
The new glass and bezel combination reflects light sources all over the place. Multiple light sources (in boutiques or otherwise indoors) makes the glass react like Plexiglass instead of Sapphire, cheapening the experience.

To me, I think it's gotta be the deep dish dial curvature that affects lighting the most. I think the harsher flat lighting of outdoors (specifically on water with these new pics) flatten out the dial nicely and make everything look much better. The engineering of the new glassbox for sure affected the dial and execution of the inner bezel.

That said, congrats to all who purchased! The original Skipper is a grail for many, this is great to see the addition to the Carrera line. Very happy the brand is embracing its past more than ever.

abrod520 · Jul 13, 2023

Oh a word on the crystal: My initial images are horrible LOL - the new 5th Ave Boutique lighting is a bit harsher and harder to get a good photo out of. But my later photo in my own apt, above, is more true to the wearing experience.

Having rejected a watch before due to excessive reflection (coughNTTDcough) trust me, it's not a problem at all!

Yago · Jul 13, 2023

Haven't seen it yet but having tried on all other glassboxes this one will be a treat. Yes Carrera on dial, weird Skipper position, white date wheel, running seconds, silver hands and markers etc. but still a very cool piece. Best design of the new glassboxes so far. I like the strap, it's very suitable for a regatta watch and looks great. A nice summer watch I would love to own at some point. But 6.850 euro is higher than I'd be willing to spend on this one. However I don't believe these will come down much, regular line-up or not. I expect there will be waiting list moving forward.

Mspeedster · Jul 13, 2023

Anthony.R
I'm with you Charlie.
When I first saw the pics in January I was not very impressed. Especially after getting the Hodinkee Skipper. Then I thought about it as a different piece. I'm kind of happy it's got Tag Heuer on the dial. It's a point of difference from the Hodinkee.

Yes one's opinion of a piece differs depending on how it fits within an existing collection. I can see how it sits very nicely next to your Hodinkee, if I had that one I'd feel similarly about this one as you do.

But when it's a singular purchase my anal nature for "faithful" re-editions starts to get the better of me. The details matter more when it's the only one you've got.

abrod520 · Jul 13, 2023

Couple photos from last night’s launch event, which I had the good fortune to attend!

The event was held on one of Rockefeller Center's private rooftop terraces, just a block or so away from the new 5th Ave Boutique. It was absolutely stunning, just under St. Paul's Cathedral.

It was a celebrity affair too, with Frederic Arnault presiding along with a few ambassadors. I'm glad I had the chance to speak with Frederic for a couple minutes, he seems like a pretty good dude.

The whole event was beautiful and Skipper-themed, even going so far as to offer drinks in Skipper colors which was cute.

For me though the real highlight was the selection of museum pieces TAG brought and put on display, along with the chance to connect with Jeff and a couple of other vintage heads 😁