Reflections on the S/el

Aquagraph
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The story only matters for marketing B/S, I think the bigger problem is that the watch is a bit Marmite... I don't know, maybe when the TAG Heuer brand gets a bit older maybe they early models will start to appreciate? Ten years ago you could get Heuer chronographs for £900!
 
imagwai
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Aquagraph Aquagraph
The story only matters for marketing B/S, I think the bigger problem is that the watch is a bit Marmite... I don't know, maybe when the TAG Heuer brand gets a bit older maybe they early models will start to appreciate? Ten years ago you could get Heuer chronographs for £900!
The watch AND the brand are a bit marmite. Re appreciation, who knows. TAG did sell quite a lot of them, so there are tons around, but not many in good condition, so likely that only really good ones will appreciate. The case can be difficult to maintain because of all the curves, angles and anodised finish. And you can't easily replace the bracelet or strap either.
 
Aquagraph
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On the other hand, those who do like them, seem to really appreciate them... but I can't see there being a re-issue when the real thing is still affordable.
 
Martin Bull
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No, I really don't need a 're-issue' from the House of LVMH.....🤔

Alan Partridge ? Here's an image for those who don't know what I'm talking about......


P1030802.JPG
 
Albert-AMG
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imagwai imagwai
I forgot the name doesn't help much either. Carrera, Autavia, Monaco, Monza. And S/EL. Does anyone (apart from us) even know that it stands for sports elegance? Sounds like a clothing line that Alan Partridge would model.

I love the name S/EL... because it was the same name for the S-Class Long wheelbase Mercedes-Benz during many years, including the 1971 “Red Pig” 300 SEL 6.8 (the first racing AMG car) 😉 😁

10E587AA-08A3-448B-AA3D-F4FE7C14CDD4.jpeg 19AB3CA5-BA13-48F0-80BC-984608E928F9.jpeg 4C99EC84-5834-4976-B43A-C7ECA7EDC918.jpeg A863D73E-2869-4936-B649-BD2254D760C7.jpeg
 
kappa_md
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I like this one AMG SEL 👍 @Albert-AMG

If a watch has a great story that comes with it, even non-watch enthusiasts will take a second look. Buying a fairly huge pricetag or decent amount of watch is an “emotional” activity. Other than the nice looks, good technical movement, it needs to have a “deep connection” to the buyer to justify the price, whatever it might be, nostalgia, heritage, pedigree, milestone, achievement, etc. So I’m in the camp that says, only great looking watches with great story around it survives the “test of time” Those who can’t see beyond the look of a watch quickly flips.

Submariner - 007, Daytona - Paul Newman
Speedmaster - NASA, Seamaster - James Bond
Monaco - SMQ / LeMans, Carrera / Autavia - Racing
And many more.

People remember great stories. Not great looks per se because visual trend and appeal as we know it changes over “time.”

The S/EL lives on with the Link. I’m not sure if NOW is a good time to do a re-edition. But “Time” will only tell. 😉
 
kappa_md
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Martin Bull Martin Bull
No, I really don't need a 're-issue' from the House of LVMH.....🤔

Alan Partridge ? Here's an image for those who don't know what I'm talking about......


P1030802.JPG

This is what I’m talking about. Trophies, champagnes, victories! All written in time and history but the fact that Senna wore this S/EL watch in this moment, already gravitates people to this. People aspire to legends, to making a great memory!

When books weren’t around in the very olden days, people only have stories to pass on and even material things didn’t last. But only stories which lasted over time! So yes stories are very powerful even thru time.
 
Mspeedster
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For me, the S/el was one of the coolest watches the world has ever seen. Chosen by a driver who is arguably the best the world has ever seen. Nuff said. 😀
TAG-Heuer-mastering-time-senna-watch.jpg Senna_nvDeo4z.jpg
 
Martin Bull
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kappa_md kappa_md
This is what I’m talking about. Trophies, champagnes, victories! All written in time and history .

Yes, that's it - for me. Again, it's a personal thing. From the veryy first race I ever went to in 1969 ( won by Jo Siffert ) the 'Heuer' name was inextricably linked with my favourite sport. And it reached it's height during the TAG McLaren 'glory years' from 1988-1993. Whatever Senna was pictured doing - from pulling on his driving gloves, climbing out of his crashed MP4/4 at Monaco,spraying the champagne, riding a jet-ski on holiday, flying his helicopter, or listening to a restaurant violinist - there's an S/el or 6000 on his wrist. And it wasn't photo-shopped in, CGI'd or just set up for the studio.

A big part of my enjoyment of the S/el is that it's a 'period piece'. So - no re-issues for me.......::stirthepot::
 
Aquagraph
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The great thing of course is that in the olden days there was no social media for these people to make tw*ts of themselves on, so we remember them as 'cool' and every stupid thing they ever said was forgotten. If only...
 
El Matarife
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Aquagraph Aquagraph
The great thing of course is that in the olden days there was no social media for these people to make tw*ts of themselves on, so we remember them as 'cool' and every stupid thing they ever said was forgotten. If only...
Yes, and people bought what they liked because it was for themselves, and not for the sake of gaining likes on Arsebook and Twatter!
 
kappa_md
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Nowadays, people measure their worth with the number of likes they have. Sadly, this generation has gone down to the bottom pit..
 
Albert-AMG
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kappa_md kappa_md
I like this one AMG SEL 👍 @Albert-AMG

This AMG 300 SEL 6.8 (called the “Red Pig” because it was much more big and heavy than its
competitors) is the most iconic and famous SEL together with our beloved TAG Heuer 😉
108FEFEB-53EF-4035-A1D8-D254FB47D94C.jpeg

It put the AMG name in the world, when it took part in the 1971 24H Spa-Francorchamps, winning its class and being 2nd overal, beating the traditional sports cars of that time and surprising everyone

4C294639-9BCE-4BAB-B8C2-EF6254AA6864.jpeg E636C564-7AE5-43AC-929A-3A6FFE35724E.jpeg


In fact the Red Pig SEL was the fastest car of the race and it could have won also the overal classification if it weren't for the high consumption of its huge V8 6800cc, which forced it to stop to refuel more times than the others! 😁
589798CE-9859-4ABA-AEB6-4574162EAE5E.jpeg 2D7840A2-AD51-4EED-8417-919BF55D4038.jpeg
 
Marcos Alvarenga
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I
imagwai imagwai
Reissues are for enthusiasts. Plenty of WIS enthusiasm for Heuer. Not so much for Tag Heuer! This came from the 80s, when TAG was busy overhauling the collection and marketing quartz fashion watches.

A reissue also needs a good story and some nostalgia behind it I guess. Like how Jack Heuer came up with the Carrera. Or how Steve McQueen wore the Monaco. Or how Siffert sold Autavias in the pitlane. Senna provides a character but not really a story about the watch. Is it enough? There's also the problem that many watches have already been released with "Senna" on the dial and elements of the design (like the Link bracelet).

Finally, a reissue needs to have a timeless design that still works and is appreciated today. The S/EL isn't the most beautiful and simple of pieces to be fair, which I wouldn't call a "classic". Of course 1980s has it's own charm, but maybe it just wasn't as good as 1960s design?!

EDIT: I forgot the name doesn't help much either. Carrera, Autavia, Monaco, Monza. And S/EL. Does anyone (apart from us) even know that it stands for sports elegance? Sounds like a clothing line that Alan Partridge would model.
If we were in the 80’s, talking about the Monaco, probably the arguments would be the same.

I think the filter of time brings things back. The question for me is not “if”, but “when”.
 
imagwai
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Marcos Alvarenga Marcos Alvarenga
I

If we were in the 80’s, talking about the Monaco, probably the arguments would be the same.

I think the filter of time brings things back. The question for me is not “if”, but “when”.
I don't think everything comes back. There are certainly fashions and products that rightly deserve to be forgotten in the sands of time. I'm not saying that necessarily applies to the S/EL by the way. As you say, only time will tell on that one.
 
Marcos Alvarenga
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imagwai imagwai
I don't think everything comes back. There are certainly fashions and products that rightly deserve to be forgotten in the sands of time. I'm not saying that necessarily applies to the S/EL by the way. As you say, only time will tell on that one.
I agree. The S/EL has some historic facts in its curriculum. That helps a lot.
Kirium, as an example, is a lineup that is for sure to be forgotten.
 
Aquagraph
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s-l1600 (1).jpg

Somebody just won this on eBay for £205. My finger was hovering, but I didn't bid. I'm kinda regretting that now...
 
Mspeedster
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I never knew a black PVD version existed. Would be a nice one to get for any S/el collector.
Mens-Tag-Heuer-Link-S-el-Sel-2-tone-PVD.jpg
143891215_10158751499611233_5418008706189108396_n.jpg
 
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