Daytona4me Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 I purchased these watches for review purposes to determine their quality as a good option for a daily beater and to check their accuracy to the genuine as they would provide a nice low cost accurate option for those easing themselves into this hobby slowly and dont mind a Quartz movement (supposed ETA). Completely hi-jacked from TAG's site: “Fernando Alonso, the Formula 1 double World Champion and driver for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team, has participated in the design of this new chronograph that reflects his relaxed, sporting image. A symbol of robustness and strength, the New TAG Heuer Formula 1 series has been reinterpreted with greater purity of lines and an extraordinary attention to detail.” blah blah blah.. so you now the background now.. lol.. moving on.. Most people would think you were I were lying if I told you that this model weighs more than a Panerai 111 on a leather strap. It's true It's true! Took a photo just to prove it. This rep comes in at 140.1 grams so it is not a light weight by any means. Below are some popular mechanical watches so you know how it compares. Breitling Skyland (on bracelet) = 237.8 grams IWC Cousteau'07 (on rubber)= 152.3 grams TAG Heuer Formula 1 (on bracelet)= 140.1 grams Panerai 111H (on leather) = 130.5 grams Some quick measurements that are worth noting about this watch. Lug Size = 20mm Bracelet = 20mm which tapers to 18mm at the clasp. Case w/out crown = 41mm Case to crown = 45mm Case back to Crystal = 12.7mm My feeling is that the rep factories came really close to the reproducing the dial colors for this model. I think the Orange dial is just a hint lighter than the genuine but it is hard to determine without having them side by side. It is a decent representation of the genuine although it would be better if the dial fonts and logo were crisper. The Red and Black Dials are very nice but my favorite color is the White Dial. I think it is the classiest of the 4 dials available and really looks nice on the wrist. I am happy that they paid attention to the sub-dial hands matching them to the color of the dial (on the Red and Orange models) and silver for the white and black dials. I made a special trip to the local shopping mall just so I could try on this model so I could get a feel for the bracelet, crown, crown guards and chrono pushers. As expected, the crown, crown guard and chrono pushers are not spot on and the machining of them could be better from the replica factory as they do not feel as nice as the genuine, sub-par in my opinion but well above chincy. The bracelet and clasp are similar although the bracelet is nicer than the clasp when compared to the genuine. Both the genuine and the replica bracelet do not feel heavy duty like you would find with the Breitling Skyland, they are light weight and disappointing to say the least but that is not to say that the replica bracelet does not represent the genuine well. It is not spot on but it is close to the genuine. I did not review the case back because I do not have my spring bar tool and I could not get a good shot of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Very nice review thanks D4M, what's the price range of these? Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daytona4me Posted March 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 @Ken, $80usd, delivery $25 EMS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 A very nice price point and at 45cm you're getting a whole lota watch. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Excellent review Greg. I will link this post to the TAG Guide asap. Very good looking rep. Black one especially. This should go to the "top bargain buys" guide too. PS: I wish they'd rep the quartz Aquaracer chrono with this kind of quality/accuracy. Imagine the sales potential of a $120 quality quartz rep of this model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxim Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Great and informative review! Nice one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Thanks for the review. I have a gen with the red dial. It only cost me $900, although;Its a quartz. I think this is a great watch for someone just starting out. My first rep was the Omega PO chrono quartz. Great little watch for the money. Nice review/pics,thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidestro Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Which dealer? PM if you prefer. I also have the real deal in one of these and would like one to compare and beat to death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strattakan Posted March 18, 2009 Report Share Posted March 18, 2009 Which dealer? PM if you prefer. I also have the real deal in one of these and would like one to compare and beat to death. +1. For 80usd, I,m really interested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relox Posted March 18, 2009 Report Share Posted March 18, 2009 Great review, D4M. I enjoyed it and found it very informative. I took (mental) notes, since I would like to buy a Tag Heur in the near future. I prefer the Carrera to the F1, but I have learned a lot from your post... I appreciate your review. Thanks, mate. relox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amarmak Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 (edited) love the white dial... but can you plz compare it to the older version of this rep. What is the difference between the new and the older rep. thanks Edited March 19, 2009 by amarmak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek001 Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Very nice watch for the money, I like the white dial but the orange would be kind of fun. On Josh's site these have the ETA quartz movement, not bad. Where can these be gotten for $80? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baglc1 Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Come on D4M, where are they for $105 delivered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Nice pics and nice write-up!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del_RFC Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Would also be very intrested at $105 delivered. Any word on which dealer is making this offer would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 For all those looking for the dealer go to RWI and PM D4M, he sells them there. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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