TAG Heuer x HODINKEE LE Carrera Dato 45

Posts
707
Likes
2,207
Thank you @Aquagraph , @Anthony.R & @Albert-AMG !!!
I still can't believe my luck. It's a lot of money for me and I have to admit that I had a moment of buyer's remorse after I said I'll take it. I was like, OMG - what have I done? But after it arrived, there's no question it was the right decision for me! 👍
Looks awesome Michael, congrats.

Now, make sure you save some $ for later in the year 😉
 
Posts
8,759
Likes
17,780
ASW ASW
Looks awesome Michael, congrats.

Now, make sure you save some $ for later in the year 😉
Thanks @ASW! I'm hoping and praying there isn't another must have LE later this year. My bank account won't survive!
 
Posts
22,620
Likes
32,236
Don't think I've ever bought a watch for more than a £1000 and not had a moment of buyer's remorse..... but it passes.
 
Posts
6,089
Likes
7,355
So 2 months after this watch supposedly sold out in a day, I somehow got super lucky and bought the very last one available via US TAG Heuer Boutiques! ::rimshot:: I just received my new watch today and couldn't be happier!!!! 😁😁😁

Initially I was put off by its lack of symmetry, but this one eyed evil panda kept growing & growing on me, to where I felt its unbalanced design created its own very unique character and charm. But as the Dato was long gone, I never seriously thought about getting one, since I wasn't going to pay above retail. Then out of the blue my TH Boutique sales person calls me to ask if I'm interested in the new Monaco. We get to chatting and I mention the Dato. She says they were sold out long ago, but would double check. I figured "fat chance" and didn't give it any more thought. A day later she calls me back and said "you're in luck, one very last one had become available". How could I say "no"? It was like the universe was telling me this watch was meant to be for me. ::psy::

I must say it is an absolute stunner in person, even better than I had imagined! 🥰
Late to the party, but I'm now officially part of the Dato club, I believe I'm forum owner #9. My watch is 150 of 250.



The watch wears great on the wrist, 39mm is just my size.


The dial has a different personality under sunlight. I love it! 👍


I also tested my clasp, it feels quite secure. Tested the chrono too, no problem there either. So far so good!
Result! Congratulations, looks great.
 
Posts
4,257
Likes
7,184
Thank you @Aquagraph , @Anthony.R & @Albert-AMG !!!
I still can't believe my luck. It's a lot of money for me and I have to admit that I had a moment of buyer's remorse after I said I'll take it. I was like, OMG - what have I done? But after it arrived, there's no question it was the right decision for me! 👍
We’ve all been there 🙄
 
Posts
118
Likes
193
So 2 months after this watch supposedly sold out in a day, I somehow got super lucky and bought the very last one available via US TAG Heuer Boutiques! ::rimshot:: I just received my new watch today and couldn't be happier!!!! 😁😁😁


I love reading posts like this! When a true enthusiast gets a very in-demand watch, directly from an AD, doesn’t have to compromise on price, and is the first owner... it’s the perfect situation. Add to it that “miracle” factor of finding an unaccounted one this many months after the release— it is magic! Congratulations Michael!
 
Posts
888
Likes
1,370
@Calibre11 , @kappa_md , @HoltzPlatz , @Jim Dollares , @Yago - Thanks a lot guys!!! 😀


Thanks DC! My sales person didn't really know how that watch was suddenly available, she was as surprised as I was. Her guess was that someone cancelled their order too. Kind of strange on the numbering, Snowy's is 125, yours is 160, both from Japan. Mine, 150, was apparently sitting in a New Jersey TH distribution center, not even in a Boutique store.

I like the croc strap and will enjoy it for now. But it makes the watch kind of dressy looking. So I'll probably switch to a racing rally strap at some point too.


Thanks Jim! After reading about Snowy's clasp and hearing comments from you & others, I was paranoid about the clasp. I've tugged on it pretty good and it holds just fine. Both sides of the clasp seem to hold equally and evenly.
Awesome! Congrats! And I love the Dato in the sun! The bright light really makes it look great.

I’m rocking #5. Love this watch.
 
Posts
22,620
Likes
32,236
Congrats, buyers remorse! Is that a thing?

Yes.
Looks like...
W16W3315_2.jpg

Imagine buying this after looking for it for two years and then realising the only lume is on the hands. 🙁
 
Posts
8,759
Likes
17,780
I love reading posts like this! When a true enthusiast gets a very in-demand watch, directly from an AD, doesn’t have to compromise on price, and is the first owner... it’s the perfect situation. Add to it that “miracle” factor of finding an unaccounted one this many months after the release— it is magic! Congratulations Michael!
Thanks man!
Congrats, buyers remorse! Is that a thing?
Thanks! I usually have more time to think things through, but needed to make a quick decision on this one.
Ara Ara
Awesome! Congrats! And I love the Dato in the sun! The bright light really makes it look great.

I’m rocking #5. Love this watch.
Thanks @Ara! Number 5 is a nice low number! Makes me wonder if there was any sequencing to which watches were sold in the US vs Japan or if just random. Perhaps mine was originally in Japan, never sold then sent to the US?
 
Posts
118
Likes
193
Ara Ara
Awesome! Congrats! And I love the Dato in the sun! The bright light really makes it look great.

I’m rocking #5. Love this watch.

You got your first choice number! That’s super cool! Yeesh, almost makes me feel like we need to get you back into the #5 Blue Dreamer... almost. 😉
 
Posts
8,759
Likes
17,780
My only disappointment is the box. Aside from the nice travel case, it's basically all cardboard. I would've preferred something a bit more retro cool, like the 50th Anniversary Monaco boxes. Also, the Boutique included the Autavia book as a gift, but I really wish it was the Carrera book. 🙁

One more thing, did you all get a generic CH02 Instruction booklet? Was kind of expecting one specific to the glassbox Carrera.
 
Posts
10,342
Likes
13,569
My only disappointment is the box.
You made the mistake of buying from ad. You only get the premium box if you cut the middle man and buy directly from TAG website
 
Posts
8,759
Likes
17,780
You made the mistake of buying from ad. You only get the premium box if you cut the middle man and buy directly from TAG website
LOL. That would've just gotten me even more cardboard!

Funny thing is, I had one in the TH website's CART for a few minutes on release day, but decided against it because it wasn't symmetrical and too expensive. Now I realize I've got a lot of tri-register and dual-register chronos in my collection, but this single register is a rare bird. Plus these glassbox Carreras aren't getting any cheaper, by the time TH releases the next one it might be closer to 8k! 🤨
 
Posts
10,342
Likes
13,569
Plus these glassbox Carreras aren't getting any cheaper, by the time TH releases the next one it might be closer to 8k!
By the time people finally get their panda Im guessing price will be closer to 10k
 
Posts
10,348
Likes
11,716
By the time people finally get their panda Im guessing price will be closer to 10k
Especially if they come in super limited numbers.
 
Posts
10,348
Likes
11,716
Thanks @ASW! I'm hoping and praying there isn't another must have LE later this year. My bank account won't survive!
Congrats! I'm in for another two this year. Let's see if any other surprises up that number.
 
Posts
8,759
Likes
17,780
Congrats! I'm in for another two this year. Let's see if any other surprises up that number.
Thanks @Hubert! Looking forward to seeing pics of all your upcoming purchases!
As long as they don't do another Gulf, I think I'm good with this one eyed evil panda for the year.