Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph 41mm Date (Model : CV2010.BA0786)

A reader ie Charlie, wrote to me to ask if there was a difference between the Tag Heuer Carrera CV2010.BA0786 and CV2010.BA0794 that I previously featured in this blog. He informed me that he liked the pictures of my watch and had went to an AD over the weekend and had gotten a best pricing of approximately RM13,000 after discount, for the CV2010.BA0794.

He had also surfed online and found that there are websites in Malaysia selling "BNIB genuine but grey imports" CV2010.BA0794 with shop-warranty (not Tag Heuer international warranty) and those could go at approximately RM10,000. However, he was sceptical if those watches were genuine Tag Heuer articles, or if they were reconditioned articles, or if the websites (no shops) would indeed provide any after-sales services after the sale has been concluded.

As such, he has wrote off the option of buying through questionable websites and has decided to get the CV2010.BA0794 from an AD soon.

However, he also saw an advert in an online trading portal ie Mudah that featured a pre-owned CV2010.BA0786 selling at RM6,000. He searched on http://us.tagheuer.com/#/en-tag-heuer-carrera-tag-heuer-carrera-models and couldn't find such a model. Given that it was selling at such a low price and assuming that it was a genuine article (he would get it checked at the authorised service centre to ascertain its authenticity if he was indeed buying it), he e-mailed me if the CV2010.BA0786 was an overseas-only model and if there were any differences compared to the CV2010.BA0794; and if he should buy the BA0786 since it was rather cheap.

I was intriqued by his queries too and searched online for answers. To summarise, I found that pre-owned BA0786 watches were selling from as early as 2006, so it was an older model. It was subsequently replaced by the BA0794 sometime in 2012, with the BA0794 being considered a 2013 model and featured in Wristwatch Annual 2013.

 

BA0786

Both watches looked similar, but a quick look at the rear sapphire glass caseback would help to identify the model. The writing in gold is for the older model, while the writing in black is for the current BA0794 model. The older model used to sell for approximately RM10,000 and had a thinner bracelet compared to the current BA0794 model. The carving at the caseback stated the older BA0786 model as CV2010, while the newer BA0794 is stated as CV2010-3.

BA0794

In conclusion, I would opine that it was altogether a very personal decision whether to go for an older model or the current model. If it was indeed the design that got Charlie interested in the Carrera Calibre 16 in the first place, it wouldn't mark a big difference between getting either models. Personally, since we are buying a luxury watch after all and the same design is still in production (albeit with improvements), I would rather go for the current BA0794 model as it would still has its international warranty valid even if pre-owned. Either way, it is a very handsome model, mate!

It's up to you, Charlie; and hope you wear yours in good health soon!

BA0786

BA0794