Tag Heuer has been a partner, sponsor, and designer of luxury watches focusing on motorsports since the early 1960s, with many Formula One events, teams, and athletes promoting the brand. So is the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz watch worth buying?
The Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz was designed as an entry-level watch for new Tag Heuer buyers and is priced at $1 600. Although this is a well-made watch, it is considered overpriced compared to contemporary watches from different brands. Meaning this watch relies heavily on brand recognition.
Although some may consider the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz watch to be overpriced, and one should instead look for a second-hand model if possible, it is still worth exploring the features of the watch.
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What Are The Specs Of The Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz?
Some of the key features and specs of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz watch are as follows:
Dimensions
The dimensions of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz are as follows:
- Diameter: 43mm,
- Thickness: 11.5mm,
- Lug width: 21mm, and
- Lug to lug: 48m (for a very slight oval shape face).
Materials
The materials of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz are as follows:
- Case: Stainless steel, with a finishing of well-polished sides, brushing on the top, and polished edges for a clean side to surface transition,
- Bracelet: Stainless steel,
- Crown: Screwed in stainless steel,
- Crystal face: HighResistant, scratch-proof sapphire crystal,
- Bezel: Aluminum non-ceramic bezel,
- Dial: Sunburst blue dial,
- Hands and numerals: Polished finishing with loom inside them,
- Loom: C3 super luminova (believed to be superior to similar quality vgw9 loom and boasts all night illumination, provided it has ample sunlight)
- Back: Solid stainless steel case back with engravings and polished finishing (including in the engravings is, among others, Tag Heuer branding, features list, and the reference number of the watch)
- Power source: Ronda 6004. B with 40 months of battery life. Movement is gold plated with five jewels and hacking operation via the crown,
- Bracelet: Three links brushed, stainless steel bracelet with solid links and link ends. Measured and connected with screws.
- Bracelet clasp: Brushed stainless steel with Tag Heuer engraving, three micro-adjust positions operated via side buttons, and a push-down locking mechanism.
The extended bracelet consists of stamped metal and the diver’s extension.
Crown
Situated at the right-hand side of the watch at three o’clock and finished with small crown guards.
The crown is screwed down, meaning it needs to be unscrewed to operate and change the watch’s hacking features.
Due to the watch’s quartz hacking features, the crown once unscrewed and set at the first position, can change the date on the calendar display when turned downwards, while the second position allows you to adjust the time.
Once the watch has been set, you can screw the crown into its starting position to initiate the normal functionality of the watch.
Bezel
Because of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz’s focus as a dive watch, the bezel is a unidirectional 120-click bezel. The lack of a backplate helps the bezel line up with the indices.
The bezel action itself has smooth and crisp movements for ease of use.
Dial
Complementing the sunburst blue dial, there are orange accents at the fifteen, thirty, and forty-five-minute marks, as well as the second hand being orange to contrast against the metallic blue background.
There are Arabic numerals at the dial’s six o’clock and twelve o’clock sections, while the hourly marks have rectangular, silver finishes. Rounding off the timer markers is a chapter ring around the dial with clear, silver minute markers.
Further decals and features on the dial include:
- A rectangular date complication at the three o ‘clock position in line with the crown,
- The Tag Heuer logo at the twelve o’clock, and
- “Swiss Made” and “Tag Heuer Formula 1” text at the six o clock.
Pros Of The Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz?
Some of the positives of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz include:
- Finishing: Both the brushing and polishing of the stainless steel are of a high standard for an entry-level luxury watch,
- Loom: The loom is long-lasting and bright,
- Dial: While aesthetics of dials are subjective, the blue sunburst dial with the orange and silver colorings contrast very well for both an attractive and easy-to-read face (however, the face may be a bit large for some people’s tastes)
- Bezel: A smooth functional bezel with accurate indices, making it perfect for divers (along with the water resistance of up to 200 meters)
- Movement: Accurate, hackable quartz movements, with a fairly long life of forty months (there is an automatic, mechanical version of the watch should that be preferable – although the price, finishing, and features differ in other ways)
- Brand: Tag Heuer is a respected brand with keen collectors, quality assurance, attention to detail, traceable guarantees, and reliable warranties.
Cons Of The Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz?
Some of the negatives of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz include:
- Clasp: Although the use of stamped metal on the extended clasp and diver’s clasp isn’t inherently bad, for a price tag over $1 600, many believe the use of stamped metal is not in line with the high quality expected at this price range.
Furthermore, the use of screws on the bracelet instead of pins is considered to be negative by many people and not in line with the quality finishing expected of a watch in this price range.
- Price: As mentioned above, a retail value of $1 600 is overpriced for a watch of this quality. That’s not to say the quality is bad, but rather contemporaries in this price range will exceed the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz.
Consequently, this watch should be purchased second-hand or on special if possible.
Conclusion
Unless you have expendable income or are a supporter/collector of Tag Heuer watches, the consensus is that while the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz is a great watch, there are better watches you can buy in the same price range.
References
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkMix0LIv5E
- https://www.prestigetime.com/blog/tag-heuer-formula-1-quartz-or-automatic.html
- https://www.quora.com/Is-the-Tag-Heuer-Formula-1-Quartz-worth-buying#:~:text=Yes%2C%20the%20TAG%20Heuer%20Aquaracer,with%20quartz%20and%20automatic%20movements
- https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a34691307/tag-heuer-jack-heuer-interview/
