...the CH-01. (source). From memory, this is the fourth name for the movement:
- Prototype: Calibre 18

- Calibre 1887
- CH-1887 (briefly called this in the press release that announced the pause on the CH-80, but name never commercialised)
- and now CH-01

dc

 

Are any specifications different in CH-01 compared to the previous 1887?

 

Oh marketing...

 

I recall hearing that it was JCB who wanted to change the name of the CH-80 from Calibre 1969, so this makes sense. It's clearly the way he wants to go on nomenclature and is a good way of distinguishing the in-house Calibres from the ones sourced externally. Only problem is that it's similar to Breitling's B01 movement. Still, wouldn't be the first time that (TAG) Heuer and Breitling have shared a name (Chronomatic and Chrono-matic).

 

None that we know of at this stage. The latest Carrera 1887 now has a "-4" at the end of the reference number to distinguish it from the previous "-3". As TAG Heuer answered themselves, this change is because there were some small changes to the movement, so if we see any changed in the CH-01, expect to see "-5"

 

Interesting point, and I agree with you...but, I also think it's critical to explain in detail what you want/ don't want to happen when you have your watch serviced. 99.5% of people would be delighted to have their old movement swapped out for a new one, and probably see it as great customer service.

You and I want the old movement, with it's original rotor and column wheel design, so we need to tell whoever services the watch that's what we want. Whenever I have a vintage Heuer serviced, I always ask for the old parts back...most people couldn't care less.

You're right that the movements aren't marked to a particular serial number, even though the watch is (in two places...which is why polishing out the serial number of the back of the case is pointless!). I like the idea, but it wouldn't be easy to implement, because in the current production process the case and case-back and finished (including engraving) and then the movement is fitted with dial/ hands. They would have to find a way of getting around that.

The other issue would be with delivered movements from ETA/ Sellita. I believe that these are covered by warranty if they are fitted to the watch, but if TAG Heuer took them out and then engraved them with a number, that might be harder. Still, it's a good idea...

dc

 

As it is at the moment, only the existing 12-6-9, or you can get 3-6-9 in the Bullhead configuration (because you're turning the movement around 90 degrees anti-clockwise.

In theory, it's possible to add an additional plate and change the layout to for example a two register 3-9, but not sure what the cost of doing this would be and therefore whether it's worth it. I would have thought that a small investment in this to create a "CH-02" that gave a different layout from the same basic movement would be a great way to look like you have a larger range of in-house movements than you really do...

 

Yes, not sure whether there will be any desire to increase investment into CH-01 in the short-term

 

I'd imagine given the similarities between the CH-01 and 7750 layouts they'd be able to do what ETA did with the 7753 in creating a standard 3-6-9 with crown and pushers at 3.

Slightly off topic but has anyone seen exact specifications on the 1887/CH-01 in terms of calibre diameter and thickness? Main reason I'm curious is as to whether it would be thin enough to afford top mounted modules

 

It's 7.27mm thick (vs. 6.5mm for the CH-80)...


not sure how that compares to other chronograph calibres. TAG Heuer did make a prototype power reserve 1887 in what looked like the same case as the standard model, so would have thought a plate could be added...it's the cost that could be the killer

 

Its not huge by any means, ETA 7750 is ~7.9mm thick so they've taken about half a mm off that. Might be hard to add modules to it though, also wonder if they'd ever consider turning it into a time only in some cases, remember Zenith made those time only or time + calendar El Primeros and in some Panerai they took the 7750 and stripped the chronograph down to a 3-hand movement, could be an interesting option for an in-house Aquaracer Movement

 

Yea that's the only downside, in-house does typically mean more costly.

Having said that though, if it meant significantly increasing production of the 1887 family, the economy of scale permitted might offset that to some degree, given they've got a whole new factory producing these movements I'd imagine the cost of that significant infrastructure and tooling investment is the main expense rather than the materials and man-hours.

Would make for a pretty cool Aquaracer especially if they did something like add an additional barrel for a very long power reserve when removing the chronograph.