I am new to this great forum. I am a big Heuer fan and owe a few pieces (two Carreras and one Formula 1).
This is my first Tag. I am hoping some of the experts here can give me more info on the watch. I have read some articles online and I know some of the history behind this re-edition.
As far as I can tell it is working perfectly. The crystal is cracked on the side (by 9-10 o'clock). The strap is original. I don't have the papers (only have the cool box back and red)
>>>> Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Should I get a new crystal? Does it make sense to sell it like this? I have seen this watch online for $4500 (but in better shape with all the papers and box)...
Should I keep it? Should it go up in value in the future?
I am considering selling it and get another Tag that I would wear more often.
Thanks!!!

 

Hi. Great watch. I have the same model. A few thoughts from me:

Yes, you should get the crystal replaced. It's perspex so hopefully it won't be that expensive.

I don't think the strap is original and it's quite hard to find these watches still with original straps in good condition. The original had rally holes. Hopefully the original Heuer buckle has been switched to the replacement strap, though. If you want an original rally strap then you can get one from Tag Heuer - it's not too expensive. I obtained a deployant clasp and strap for mine (see pics below).

The box appears to be missing the red pillow

Regarding value, I think $4500 is a little high for a private sale. For one in good condition, I'd expect it to sell for about £2500 which equates to about $3000. Yours appears to have a few dings and scratches (especially to the caseback), no papers, and of course the damage to the crystal, but the box helps a little - but you obviously need to adjust the price slightly for these factors.

Future value, who really knows, but these watches are generally considered to be the best re-editions of the 1960s Carrera ever done since they are pretty much a 1:1 representation of the original (minus the word Carrera on the dial) and contain a derivative of the highly-respected manual-wind movement used in the Omega Speedmaster. The fact they are a little on the small side for some people probably keeps the value down. However, I can't see them losing any value and only see them going up as they become harder to find and almost become vintage themselves.

 

Thank you for your reply. A lot of very valuable information.
Your Carrera and your pictures are great!!!
I bought the watch new from a jewelry store in the US about 20 years ago.
I might have the red pillow and the manual somewhere in my closet. Will keep looking for them.
I am 99.9% sure I never replaced the strap. I think this watch was offered with both options. Your strap (which I like better and is the same type I have on my other, more modern Carrera) and a "regular buckle" that you can see in the image I just uploaded.

 

Thanks. Great that you're the original owner. I may have been vaguely aware that some of the re-editions sometimes came on a plain strap. Wasn't sure about this model, though. Maybe it's original then. Certainly not unheard of that ADs swap straps for customers at point of sale either. I have everything that originally came with the watch apart from the original strap (still have the Heuer buckle though).

 

Yes, I have all the boxes and papers from my other two Tags. My Carrera CS3110 box and papers have a lot of history, though. They went from the US to Venezuela, then to Canada (sat there for 1 or 2 years in a storage) and then came back to the US... my bad. I have been a lot more careful with the other two.
Thanks!!

 

Another question. Is it a good a idea to replace the crystal? is the watch going to lose value if I do it? I've got a quote from a local jeweler for $250 using the original crystal (see pictures from Jul 11, 2020) . Thanks in advance!

 

You're not going to lose any significant value if you replace the crystal. I'd say in this case, you will only enhance the value in doing so.

 

Thank you! that is what I thought