P4GTR Posted June 3, 2010 Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 Review TAG Carrera Day/Date After recently selling my gen Calibre6, I had to update the watchbox to show some TAG representation. A visit to the AD to see the Carrera oversized 43mm Day/Date wound up making me loony in love. I made a b-line back home to get one on its way to me from one of our trusted dealers. After probably driving Mary nuts, this came to me. The watch is extremely close to gen. Two things stand out from the gen counterpart. The tip of the G in TAG is flat instead of arrow headed on the dial emblem, and the screws in the movement are blued on the rep. Personally, I like the blue screws, and the emblem doesn't bother me. These are so minor, the only people that would ever be able to call this watch out, have a membership here. If you were inclined, you could hunt down a replacement emblem on ebay, they pop up from time to time, and the screws can be replaced with chrome non-blued versions at service time. Nice! The fit and finish is remarkable. All of the numbers on my dial are perfectly lined up. The day/date wheel lines up perfect. My chrono needles all line up perfectly, straighter than the gen needles were on the watch at the AD! I've had a lot of PM's since this review, asking what to watch out for on the reps, QC wise. I urge you to purchase this from a dealer that will send photos of the exact watch you will receive, and look at these key areas in particular. Here is a list of the common variety of problems I've seen on some of these reps: - Crooked numbers on the hour markers. The 1 in the "15" at the 3 '0 clock position is notoriously crooked, for example. - The AR being too light in hue. Gen has a deep blue AR, typical TAG Heuer hue. Some reps are coming with weak AR. - Small chips in the paint around the subdials. - Poor day and date alignment. - Chrono and subdial needles set exactly to 0. - Micro-adjust lever should not be missing from the balance bridge. I've seen this on a few. Moving on... The bracelet is sharp and needs a little tune up, but the markings are craftsmanship are excellent. I wet sanded the inner surface edges, than used my bracelet rattle fix which gave the bracelet a soft satin-like fit and finish. I can't believe its not gen. The pins in the bracelet were easy, which made resizing it the same. End links are decent, an excellent fit between the lugs, however gen end links are a little flatter on the little polished center areas, the reps are a little round and puffy. You could sand these or buy gen endlinks for about $80 if you were inclined. I think for the savings, I will sand them flat then re-polish them, since the fit and finish is otherwise excellent. Minute details, but I want to point out everything no matter how big or small. Again, it is all in the details. The inner surface of this last bracelet link was unfinished and rough looking. I took a moment to sand and polish it to a more gen like finish. Lovely AR. The gen has strong blue AR, the rep looks spot on. Beautiful watch. Perfect size for just about anything. This thing has presence. Crown and pushers reproduced with the highest quality. Awesome feature, the ability to admire the beautiful 7750 movement. Rotor is correct to gen. Black leather strap with rep Deployant. *It was 11:30PM, so the date had begun to roll over. It is not an alignment problem. I haven't found any aftermarket straps that are as nice as the gen TAG versions. I would recommend purchasing the TAG leather strap (~$100), to go with the rep buckle. This strap pictured, is from Tango252 on Ebay. I found it way too thin, it slips out of the deployant catch. Wears very comfortable. Nice height due to a perfect case thickness. 43mm feels just right on my ~7" wrist. The watch looks larger than 43mm due to the oversized dial/crystal against a less thick bezel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted June 3, 2010 Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 Great looking watch! And great review! Thakns for sharing your thoughts on your new acquisition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted June 3, 2010 Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 Brilliant (review and the watch). I will add this to the TAG Guide asap. Thanks for takin' the time, it was fantastic read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted June 3, 2010 Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 That is a great looking TAG cool with the AUTOMATIC and CHRONOGRAPH around the seconds dial Happy Timekeeping Gunnar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted June 3, 2010 Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 Lovely photos, real nice, looks like Mary picked out a gem for you there, looks spotless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strattakan Posted June 3, 2010 Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 Great review and pics! I was in doubt between this and a Skyland V2, and you just made me spend more money soon in both of then. I saw some 21j rep of this carrera here and it looks little cheap. This one feels better? I mean, the finish, the "weight"? Cheers and again a wonderful review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted June 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 Great review and pics! I was in doubt between this and a Skyland V2, and you just made me spend more money soon in both of then. I saw some 21j rep of this carrera here and it looks little cheap. This one feels better? I mean, the finish, the "weight"? Cheers and again a wonderful review. The watch is very heavy. It feels, like a gen. There's no other way to put it. I've held both recently, and theres no difference. Once you give the bracelet some TLC it is excellent. The watch looks fantastic on both bracelet and leather, with its classic handsomeness. 21j would defeat the purpose for me at least. The skyland was my favorite watch. Now that I own this Carrera it's a hard choice. Can't go wrong with either. Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strattakan Posted June 3, 2010 Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 The watch is very heavy. It feels, like a gen. There's no other way to put it. I've held both recently, and theres no difference. Once you give the bracelet some TLC it is excellent. The watch looks fantastic on both bracelet and leather, with its classic handsomeness. 21j would defeat the purpose for me at least. The skyland was my favorite watch. Now that I own this Carrera it's a hard choice. Can't go wrong with either. Thanks everyone! Thanks for the info! It will be my next purchase for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaazaa Posted June 12, 2010 Report Share Posted June 12, 2010 Congrats on the new watch. I love this Tag and have really been considering it, but I've hesitated because I know the numbers can be misaligned (on some I've seen). Did Mary pick the watch out for you and look out for any issues? Good to work with? I appreciate the info. This rep ain't cheap, so would hate to get something i couldn't wear. Take care, Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted June 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2010 Mary sent one back before finding one she thought was worthy of sending pics to me for approval. If I had to do it again, I would do exactly what I did. Email Mary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eton Posted June 14, 2010 Report Share Posted June 14, 2010 Looks great!!! Thanks for the review Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whatever123 Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Great review, thx! How are your bezel numbers aligned? Are the 60, 240, 120 and 80 perfectly aligned with the triangular markers at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock? The 240 is about 0,2mm off on my watch, the others are perfect. I looked around for gen pics and found several where the 120 marker seems to be a bit misaligned. Strangely, it's always the 120 on the gens. Cheers, W. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielbar@gmx.de Posted June 25, 2010 Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 Hello mine arrived on Wednesday Beautiful watch. Really heavy and cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
space Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Stunning! I have been waiting for a review on this one, as I originally planned on going gen. Now it seems the money has other places to be spent, so I'm happy to see they have pulled it off! ...then used my bracelet rattle method to fix the feel... Is this method described somewhere? (I sent a mail to Mary last night ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted August 2, 2010 Report Share Posted August 2, 2010 Im not a huge Tag fan but I do have to admit that this Is one beautiful piece,just might have to get one. Thanks for the review Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted August 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2010 Updated info & pics added 8/5/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
space Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 Sweet! Is the movement reliable? And thanks for the bracelet rattle fix link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
space Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 Walked by a store today, and saw this shining in the window under a poster of Dicaprio Couldn't resist walking inside and try it on. Slid my PAM111 rep down my pocket, to not have the shop owner ask to many questions... I loved the way it looked on my wrist, so sent a mail to Mary when I got home, and finally pulled the trigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brooksbrahs Posted October 24, 2010 Report Share Posted October 24, 2010 Great looking watch there, thanks for the post. Trying to decide between this model and an Aquaracer chrono myself. Noob question but who is Mary/what is her site? Id really like to have my particular watch picked out for correctness and get pictures of it before I buy, Im hoping she will do this for me? Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted October 24, 2010 Report Share Posted October 24, 2010 Great looking watch there, thanks for the post. Trying to decide between this model and an Aquaracer chrono myself. Noob question but who is Mary/what is her site? Id really like to have my particular watch picked out for correctness and get pictures of it before I buy, Im hoping she will do this for me? Thanks guys! mary = watch international i just ordered the same watch here from her, she sent all the QC pics and shipped very fast. i highly recommend her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielbar@gmx.de Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 One question about the AR...does the GEN really have got this blue AR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panama Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 (edited) Does the DayDate Chrono have the correct case size of 43mm now? Until 2009 the rep still had same case like 41mm Carrera Date Chrono... So did they correct it? regards Edited October 27, 2011 by Panama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rymeister Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) Does the DayDate Chrono have the correct case size of 43mm now? Until 2009 the rep still had same case like 41mm Carrera Date Chrono... So did they correct it? regards According to the dealers websites the latest versions of the day date are 43mm buddy Edited October 30, 2011 by The_Rymeister Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n3philim Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 Great review. I'm thinking of picking this up as my first rep. Still trying to figure out if it's worth it to go with a mechanical movement watch or just stick with a quartz. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thamayor214 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 (edited) Guys I know this is an older thread, however I REALLY like this watch and want to purchase it. This will be my first rep, and I’m still a little nervous about the whole rep world buying process. Is Mary the only dealer with this quality rep or do all the dealers get the same reps from the same factory? Also what is her site and is she still a trusted dealer I was not able to find her name in trusted dealer area. After doing some more research I located another thread (newer 2011) with the same watch from Joshua. So I know Mary is not the only dealer with is rep. I also found things to look for during QC of the watch. So I would like to update my questiion with a new one. Being a new at this is there a trusted dealer easier to deal with over others; and yes i know all the trusted dealers are good but its so many things that can go wrong and I just want it to be right if I will shell out $400 Edited December 19, 2011 by thamayor214 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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