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Heuer 160th Anniversary/ Carrera 160 Years Silver Edition CBK221B
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Mspeedster
·Here's a rather opinionated view of the watch and moreover TH's direction. I don't disagree with a lot of what the author is saying. 😗
https://thetruthaboutwatches.com/2020/01/tag-heuer-carrera-160-years-silver-le/#more-2669
https://thetruthaboutwatches.com/2020/01/tag-heuer-carrera-160-years-silver-le/#more-2669
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Aquagraph
·Here's a rather opinionated view of the watch and moreover TH's direction. I don't disagree with a lot of what the author is saying. 😗
https://thetruthaboutwatches.com/2020/01/tag-heuer-carrera-160-years-silver-le/#more-2669
He says he wants 'new' classic designs, but what he really means is he wants new watches that look like old watches... Just like I want a new Metallica album that sounds like Master of Puppets and what I get is Hardwired to Self Destruct.
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Mspeedster
·He says he wants 'new' classic designs, but what he really means is he wants new watches that look like old watches... Just like I want a new Metallica album that sounds like Master of Puppets and what I get is Hardwired to Self Destruct.
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Aquagraph
·My interpretation was a little different. I felt he was saying he wants new designs that can rival the classics to become future classics in their own right.
We'll have to disagree on that, how do you make a modern watch that looks 'classic' without strongly referencing the past? There are plenty of modern Carreras that aren't 'mutants' as Mr Orange would have it, nor retro re-editions, but they don't really stand out. I should say because of the weight of history it's incredibly hard to create a genuinely new design that is neither 'modern' nor 'retro' that truly captures the imagination of enough people to become a classic.
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Aquagraph
·Actually, I could propose that this is exactly why TAG Heuer have launched the modern Autavia. Despite having a very similar case, it doesn't have the baggage of the Carrera name... some might even suggest the Calibre 5 Autavia is a potential modern classic, though it still is heavily retro infulenced.
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Jim Dollares
·Here's a rather opinionated view of the watch and moreover TH's direction. I don't disagree with a lot of what the author is saying. 😗
https://thetruthaboutwatches.com/2020/01/tag-heuer-carrera-160-years-silver-le/#more-2669
Not sure how to interpret "I’m a classicist who wishes there were more new classic designs from major watchmakers, rather than retro retreads".
He wants new designs that are classic but they should not be retro but not modern while looking like watches did a long time ago so they can remain timeless and be classics now and also in the future 👎
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Aquagraph
·
Here's a Carrera that is neither modern nor overtly retro, it also looks very nice IRL.
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Jim Dollares
·Michael, what say you, is that one too modern?
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Hubert
··TAG Heuer Forums ModeratorPSA: Pre-orders with ADs and Boutiques are now open. I pre-ordered mine already.
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Jim Dollares
·PSA: Pre-orders with ADs and Boutiques are now open. I pre-ordered mine already.
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Hubert
··TAG Heuer Forums ModeratorCongrats! Looking forward to some comparison shots next to the telemeter 👍
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Mspeedster
·Hmmm I dont know if "purists" approve of that since it has the Tag logo and it does not look like a remake of s 60's watch.
Michael, what say you, is that one too modern?
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abrod520
·Not sure how to interpret "I’m a classicist who wishes there were more new classic designs from major watchmakers, rather than retro retreads"
What he means are new, understated designs that are destined to become classics - rather than most modern watch design which are trendy, contemporary styles that look dated within a few years.
He'd prefer that kind of originality to 1:1 reissues, and I agree with him though I do appreciate TAG putting out something along those lines. For me, the fact that this is 39mm qualifies it as new - I want to see how the design works at the larger proportions.
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Aquagraph
·What he means are new, understated designs that are destined to become classics - rather than trendy, contemporary styles that look dated within a few years.
I'd say the problem with that is twofold, one that the industry is obsessed with retro/reissues and has been for good few years and two, all the brands are so obsessed with the model's history. The way to create a new watch that meets the criteria would be to start a new model (like the Kirium when it came out, it was a brand new model with no baggage) but the industry doesn't want to do that because it costs too much and it's a harder sell than recycling old Carrera/Monacos for eternity. Same as the movie industry really. Why create a new film with new characters when you can reboot everything every ten years?
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Aquagraph
·What he means are new, understated designs that are destined to become classics - rather than most modern watch design which are trendy, contemporary styles that look dated within a few years.
The other problem with this is that we only remember the good ones from the past don't we? There's plenty of hideous Heuer watches that no one talks about which were presumably 'trendy' in their day... it's a bit like someone claiming 'old cars were better looking' because (Ferrari GTO) while completely ignoring the fact that for ever gorgeous old car there was ten Austin Allegros...
Could you suggest an example of a contemporary, understated design that won't date? One that isn't trendy or a modernisation of an old classic? I struggle to think of something, could the Omega Aquaterra be such a thing or is that another modernisation of an old model? I don't know much about the history of Omega.
He'd prefer that kind of originality to 1:1 reissues, and I agree with him though I do appreciate TAG putting out something along those lines. For me, the fact that this is 39mm qualifies it as new - I want to see how the design works at the larger proportions.
A new 'model', but clearly not a new 'design'. It's more like an AC Cobra, looks the same but with a new engine etc...
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abrod520
·the industry is obsessed with retro/reissues and has been for good few years and two, all the brands are so obsessed with the model's history
Wearing a mechanical wristwatch at all is itself a retro thing - if we were all truly trying to wear the newest most modern watches, we'd all be wearing smartwatches, wouldn't you think? So I think there's a certain amount of nostalgia and history / tradition inherent in all mechanical watches, and it seems like the industry is starting to recognize that in the face of cheaper more capable competition from smartwatches. It's very similar to what happened with some of the larger brands that survived the quartz crisis - no longer the standards for timekeeping, they focused on design and tradition.
As for "recycling" Carreras.... take a look at TAG's releases since the Carrera was first restored as a line in 1996. I don't think anyone would argue that they have been mostly contemporary, trendy models. The last few years have been nothing but skeletonized monstrosities. One or two or even 10 variants of a classicly-styled Carrera (or even reserving that name for vintage-type watches) doesn't portend that the entire TAG product catalog will be going in that direction.
As for Hollywood - yeah it does suck what's going on with the endless reboots... but then, people watch them and they make tons of money, so I guess there's an argument to be made for them somewhere?
Besides - if you distill it down, even the most "original" stories are essentially retellings of one of two tales: A man goes on a journey or a stranger comes to town.
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abrod520
·The other problem with this is that we only remember the good ones from the past don't we? There's plenty of hideous Heuer watches that no one talks about which were presumably 'trendy' in their day... it's a bit like someone claiming 'old cars were better looking' because (Ferrari GTO) while completely ignoring the fact that for ever gorgeous old car there was ten Austin Allegros...
Could you suggest an example of a contemporary, understated design that won't date? One that isn't trendy or a modernisation of an old classic? I struggle to think of something, could the Omega Aquaterra be such a thing or is that another modernisation of an old model? I don't know much about the history of Omega.
Well yeah, most modern watch design is like most mechanical watch design from the '70s onward: trendy. Because they're meant to be style pieces rather than the functional timekeepers they had been up until 1969. But the designs that endure, do so because they call back to that time - they convey a purpose to them.
Many Grand Seiko models have a modern look. Personally, I think the original Tudor Black Bay line is a good example of understated, classic modern design with some classic touches. The Seamaster Aqua Terra (which has been in the catalog for some years now, does it still qualify as modern?) likewise incorporates some classic touches as well - the arrow hands most prominently. But those are a hallmark of the brand - would you consider any new BMW to be "retro" simply because it incorporates a kidney grille?
Also, please let me remind you that you're welcome not to buy these types of watches, or look at them in threads where you know that's what's being discussed. You don't see me popping into all the threads about the new nasty releases TAG is putting out, now do you?
(With the exception of cases like the Autavia where they're just slapping a hallowed name on something new. I don't mind that watch; I mind it being called Autavia.)
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cwsbbb
·Well that is a great example of an old man stuck in the past 😁
Not sure how to interpret "I’m a classicist who wishes there were more new classic designs from major watchmakers, rather than retro retreads".
He wants new designs that are classic but they should not be retro but not modern while looking like watches did a long time ago so they can remain timeless and be classics now and also in the future 👎
Yeah... easy to say this... wants his cake and to eat it too. Hardly a controversial opinion.
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Aquagraph
·Many Grand Seiko models have a modern look.
That's a good example, they are modern but not trendy, and understated.
Personally, I think the original Tudor Black Bay line is a good example of understated, classic modern design with some classic touches.
Mmm, to me that is retro, and I would say it is generally thought of as retro too.
The Seamaster Aqua Terra (which has been in the catalog for some years now, does it still qualify as modern?) likewise incorporates some classic touches as well - the arrow hands most prominently. But those are a hallmark of the brand - would you consider any new BMW to be "retro" simply because it incorporates a kidney grille?
As I said, I do not know much about Omega because it is a brand that doesn't appeal to me. I only singled that model out because it is one that I have seen and it is kind of like the Grand Seiko you suggested.
Also, please let me remind you that you're welcome not to buy these types of watches, or look at them in threads where you know that's what's being discussed. You don't see me popping into all the threads about the new nasty releases TAG is putting out, now do you?
I haven't said anything negative about this watch have I? Even though I don't particularly like it... this discussion is only happening in this thread because it was sparked by comments in an article about this watch.
(With the exception of cases like the Autavia where they're just slapping a hallowed name on something new. I don't mind that watch; I mind it being called Autavia.)
Yes and here we can agree. Like the 'modular' Carrera, wouldn't it have been better to give it a brand new model name? That way it would also be free from 'baggage' and they could have gone anywhere with it, but no, again everything in the watch industry must be tied to 'history' to give it a sheen of credibility. Ah well, I expect ultimately the Autavia will go the same was as the Carrera with vintage fans decrying the awful modern incarnation...