I enjoyed reading your History of TAG Heuer Formula 1 sir Rob @Aquagraph! What hardwork and commitment to catalogue and get samples of pictures

I started out into watches within the Era 4 of TH Formula 1 at the time that I was already financially capable (really saving up). Although the Era 1 was my first memory of TAG Heuer having so many “cool and colorful” watches. I’d “envy and covet” for those watches so TAG Heuer really stuck to my mind In lighter terms, they were my inspiration when I was just beginning my journey into Swiss watches particulary within TAG Heuer.

You could say I was very “stubborn” or loyal to TAG Heuer simply because it is a part of my formative years. As a “history guy” and one who loves reading stories, TAG Heuer surely didn’t disappoint. And with TAG Heuer having a long stretch of history even with those tumultous & disruptive ones, it made all the more interesting and also appealing to me

Thank you for brining me back to memory lane

 

Thanks Kappa, part six will be coming in a few weeks.

 

If I may add, I was able to read in Calibre 11’s Ultimate Guide to TAG Heuer Formula1 that, Kimi was the new face of launching the Formula 1 series back then when he was still in McLaren-Mercedes (2002-2006) and allegedly, it was his idea to put “polyurethrane” bumpers on the side of the case (Era / Series 3) Personally I’m not a fan of that so I didn’t bother


When Era 4 started in 2007, a new series was made and introduced TAG Heuer Formula 1 41mm with two-time F1 Champion Fernando joining McLaren-Mercedes and as the new face of TAG Heuer, thus this series was affectionately called “F1 Alonso” (having red, silver, black and even orange dials as a homage to then McLaren-Mercedes team colors)


Kimi, having joined Ferrari in 2007 and won the Driver’s Title in his debut year with Ferrari, yet still tied to TH, TAG Heuer decided to commemorate his Title Win with the larger 44mm Formula 1 Grande Date “not so limited” LE thus the F1 Grande Date with matching “rev counter” subdials were also called “F1 Kimi / Raikkonen” Both the 41mm and 44mm under the Era 4.


Era 5 was more of an evolution rather than a revolution in design but introduced the Automatic Calibre 16 movement in the Formula 1 series. Currently, I now dig the Era 6 “Autavia” case shape for the Formula 1

 

Kimi looks so uncomfortable in that picture... "You want me to hold it up here, like this???"

Alonso is a watch model pro..

 

Well you know Kimi! He is always the unpretentious guy and probably doesn’t like all those camera posing and modeling nonsense While on the other hand, Alonso plays with the media very well, almost to a point like somewhat cunning

 

to be fair to him, he’s probably worried about knocking over the cyclist

 

I bought mine at the start of the Kimi TAG era, around 2002 (IIRC). The crown guards were just fine for about 12-15 years. But have recently disintegrated, exposing a metal skeleton beneath, giving it a "Terminator" look.

The rest of the polyurethane bumpers are still intact.

 

Except the crown guards it looks like you have barely worn it

 

Thanks. I actually daily wore this watch for about 5 years straight and it spent quite a bit of time in the water as well. But I was always careful with my watches, even back then when I didn't really have a "collection".

 

Is it right that you can't replace the crown guards? I seem to remember someone saying they are considered part of the case...

 

I meant the other picture, that one he looks fairly natural, the other one he looks awkward AF! I can just imagine him muttering 'bloody stupid'.

 

Otto's interview is finished and will be up soon.

 

Who will be my next victim?

 

A-ha!

 

I finally have time to read to the end.

As Jim was concerned in the interview, I am concerned about the recent price increases.

I think this is an issue that will shake the position of TAG Heuer in the market.

I would like the TAG Heuer to remain an affordable luxury.

Also, I'm looking forward to the next interview.

 

Okay, so I have finished the following 'History of...' posts: 2000 Exclusive, Formula 1 (Era Six), 4000 Series and Alter Ego.

They will be posted every few weeks, anyone have a preference for which comes next?

 

2000 exclusive!