Tag Heuer Formula One Chronograph Review

[ruelcortez]

Tag Heuer Formula One Chronograph Review

Ref: CAH1111.BA0850

This is a review of an entry level Tag Heuer. I know its odd to review a quartz watch here but will try my best.

So time for a little change and a little lighter version. I purchase this formula one model from rolex2u.com. Their customer service was very attentive and responsive on my inquiries from purchasing, tracking and delivery of the product. I got my watch delivered for exactly 7 days only by international registered mail.

The watch arrived clean and free from any form of damages during the shipping. The packaging was done well to protect the watch. When I opened the package the watch runs as usual since it is a quartz model. I adjusted the time and date accordingly and tested the chronograph. I stop and reset the seconds and it runs smoothly turning back to zero position.

This model is entirely different ones you may normally see from online replica shops where they sell for less than US$100. Actually only few bucks and you'll get this version. This one has a Swiss ETA Quartz movement inside where the date font can tell, one of the reason why I go for this model not to mention the subdial size and spacing where accurate to gen unlike the cheap ones where you can notice even from a far view.

Now for the review. Below is a comparison from the gen:

Gen

Mine

Here are my observations and findings;

Dial

Overall the dial is 9 of 10 and can be aligned to one of the best reps. The dial looks pretty amazing, and looks like a gen to me. The position and sizes of each subdials are correct.

The dial may look off white from far but its actually silver when closely looked at.

Only few glitches first, the running second hand is smaller and thinner than the gen which is easily noticeable (Incorrect).

The two subdials on the top are correct with the engraved and spiral effects. The subdial below is also correct with the spiral effect on the lining on black. (Correct)

spacing and size are pretty much close which is a good deal (Correct!) The red numerals on the 12th, 3rd and 9th are almost invisible and darker due to the black background (slightly incorrect). [FYI, only white version carries these red marks including the wording "Formula 1" circumference the subdial on the 6th. The black, orange and red version does not carry this so choosing the white is a safer choice.].

The shorter lume markers does not have a box surrounding it.(incorrect).

The calendar window is a bit off from 3 o'clock, I have ignore this since I have a beautiful date font over there. (incorrect).

Bezel & Crown

Gen

Mine

The rotating bezel is crisp and clicks 120 times (correct).

The brushed numbers are not that sharp (slightly incorrect).

The tag logo on the rotating bezel is slightly incorrect, symbol on the top is a bit awkward.

Note that the gen's bezel is coated with titanium carbide, a blacker black and a bit shiny compared to rep which seemed to be more a paint to me (incorrect).

The ''Tag Heuer'' insignia on the left side is thinner and sharper on the gen. And a font spacing in between (slightly incorrect).

The chrono buttons are thicker on the rep which feels a more plastic (slightly incorrect).

The crown is coated with black (paint?) but has a perfect looking Tag logo (correct).

Case Back

gen

mine

Almost identical to the gen but it's not that sharp, the chequered flag and tag logo is deeper and embossed a bit more on the gen (slightly incorrect).

Note the model number on all 4 colours are the same CAH1113, correct if you go for orange ones, but for the other colour its incorrect. White is CAH1111. The serial numbers are all the same which is a normal issue. (incorrect).

The rep has a flatter case back cover than the gen (incorrect).

Bracelet & clasp

The bracelet has the same feel with gen (correct).

Only missing are the dots (incorrect).

Clasp is almost identical to the gen except that the gen has more rectangular base (slightly incorrect).

The tag logo on the gen is sharper and embossed higher.

Movement

The movement is a Swiss ETA, specifically it is G10.211 same engine used for chronograph models of Tissot, Swiss Army and other popular modes.

The watch has simple, split time and intermediate chronograph timings. It has 3 registers, the subdial in right for minutes, 1/10 of a second in right (which works after stopping the chrono) and second (the big red hand on centre).

Since the movement is genuinely an ETA it works flawlessly however gains 3 seconds/day.

Thanks for viewing

[By-Tor]

What an amazing review!!!

Thank you for this... this will be added to the TAG Guide now.

[strattakan]

This is a model that I always think in buy (the rep) to be a beater, but almost all rep I saw look tottaly crap. This one you bought looks very interesting. I

[By-Tor]

This model is actually very attractive to me. Would really make a great beater.

TAG Guide updated now with this watch, and with a link to this review.

Great work! This is exactly the stuff that keeps the forum interesting and educational.

[fakemaster]

Good review. How about a wrist shot?

[RWG Technical]

Wonderful review, thanks for taking the time to do it up.

I find it very odd that the speed of the watch is out by as much as 3 seconds per day.

According to the ETA manufacturing information on this movement, it's maximum error is 0.5 seconds per day.

I would cross check it against an atomic clock and see what you get, I suspect that the reference may not be accurate.

Great watch, and with that movemement inside, no worries about anything...

RG

[ruelcortez]

To all responded on my review thanks very much for your appreciation. special mention to By-Tor who added my review on the Tag Heuer review list.

Due to insistent public demand here are additional photos

Enjoy:

Wrist Shots:

Buckle

compared with my handsome aquaracer (note the difference on size, AR is 43 F1 is 40)

compared with my vintage looking Omega Speedmaster Pro

Again thanks very much for all the comments. PS: The Zigmeister is absolutely correct on the gained seconds.

[By-Tor]

It really is strikingly nice watch. Maybe the best quartz rep there is?

[ruelcortez]

Yes Bytor. I could say that, this is the best Quartz Chrono rep I ever seen. You'll be amazed when you get hold of this model.

Also this rep has a good looking Logo where the manufacturer used paint (a bit thicker and embosed) compared to other cheap reps where they use hand applied sticker like logo.

Other reps (Note I have cover the Seller's name to protect me :

Mine:

A must have!!!

[ruelcortez]

PS You may notice significant amount of differences on the dial quality and accuracy on detail compared to gen, however it seems they have same casing.

[Toadtorrent]

Hey...nice work!! Great review...and from a relative newbie to the board. Great stuff...

[Chino]

It really is strikingly nice watch. Maybe the best quartz rep there is?

hey By-Tor

I think you shouldn't leave the indy 500 aside, compare it with the gen, it's also very accurate and it's got a better story to tell: the're almost unavailable now so it's almost impossible to be discovered, 100% of possibilities to pass as the real deal.

the white indy 500 never existed, only the silver dialed one was available.

just my 2 chilean pesos (lot less than 2 cents).

regards, man!

thanks for the review ruelcotez, that was a tasty one.

Chino.

[ruelcortez]

After further much deliberation with my highness I have managed to bought a gen of this model.

So here's the compare betweeh Rep and the Gen.

The gen is more silvery and metallic dials than on rep.

Also the clasp is quite different.

[FxrAndy]

Thats not bad you know, nice

[fitipaldi2]

After checking ioffer, I found that the red version of this watch is more accurate. The red one has the metallic subdials. I think I will buy one and once I receive it I will post some pictures.

bye

[P4GTR]

Great review! Wow, they really dropped the ball on the clasp, but otherwise it is a very nice piece.

Congrats on getting the gen. Proof that reps lead to gens..

[therebel]

I actually had this rep before purchasing the gen as a good beater, I actually have two now. There are actually two of these on timezone right now for $500 and $600. Great prices to snag a gen.

[TK471]

Based on this review, I'm going to try to pick up the black dial on rubber. May not be the most accurate thing in the world, but it's going to be a HECK of a weekend beater!

[yaron]

Very nice review. Now, that I know it's OK to show quartz TAGs, here's a picture of my formula 1.

One pic with more expensive mates.

[mambo433]

I have the Orange version of this ETA rep I paid $95 for it from a good dealer. It's a great watch, the weak area is the clasp, but otherwise it's very close to the original. As mine is the Orange version it has the correct model number on the back. The Orange version was the model worn by Lewis Hamilton & Fernando Alonso last year (that why i chose it) plus there are too many boring black/white/blue dial watches, nice to have some colour on your wrist. I can post some pictures if anyone is interested.

[strattakan]

I have the Orange version of this ETA rep I paid $95 for it from a good dealer. It's a great watch, the weak area is the clasp, but otherwise it's very close to the original. As mine is the Orange version it has the correct model number on the back. The Orange version was the model worn by Lewis Hamilton & Fernando Alonso last year (that why i chose it) plus there are too many boring black/white/blue dial watches, nice to have some colour on your wrist. I can post some pictures if anyone is interested.

always when I try to buy this watch I

[cterblan]

mambo433,

Would you mind telling me what dealer you bought your orange dail from? That is the version I am looking for and yours seems to be the best I hav seen so far.

Thanks.