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

Oris TT3 Chronograph 2nd Time Zone 42.5mm (Model : 01 677 7590 7764)

I had been overseas on business travels for more than a week and just got back around midnight. I managed to pick up an interesting timepiece, although not so much on the mechanicals but for its functionalities, during the flight en-route to Amsterdam yesterday- but more about that in another posting.

I was window-shopping with my wife and kid at a mall in Petaling Jaya this afternoon when I walked into a small watch boutique. One of the watch in the glass case caught my attention- cocooned in its box was an Oris TT3 Chronograph 2nd Time Zone.

With a retail price of RM14,500, the Sales Manager registered my interest in the TT3 and quickly made me an offer to bring home the TT3. While Swiss timepieces like Rolex, Omega and Tag Heuer have a relatively agent-controlled pricing, Oris is subjected to higher discounts given that its smaller demand in the market; and I was expecting a maximum of 30% off. I was surprised when he knocked off 33% to round up the discounted price at RM10,000.

That's RM4,500 off from a nice piece like that, and I ain't even a regular customer as yet.

The case is made of titanium and black-plated, and has rose gold PVD plating and detailing. The dial is black carbon fibre with rose gold PVD plated Arabic numerals.

At 42.5mm, it was a nice size and nicely-weighted for daily wear. I slipped it over my wrist and it looked pretty good.

At RM10,000, you can get for yourself a handsome and macho chronograph Oris watch that is bound to get some envious looks from fellow watch lovers. I guess I'd be best to start saving some monies aside for this beautiful timepiece from this dayon, no?

NB : Pictures sourced from the Net.

Casio Digital Barometer (Model : BM-200W-1)

Before Casio G-Shock was all the rage, I fell in love with a pretty rare piece of Casio timepiece- the digital barometer. I was in my secondary school and the watch was a pretty costly watch by my standards then, but my Dad bought it as a present to me when I aced through my exams.

I remembered spending much time measuring barometric readings and altitudes- and during a family trip to Genting Highlands, I was thrilled that the altitude reading was exactly the same as per the signboard by the side of the road.

This watch is still lying about somewhere in my treasure trove consisting of blasts from the past, back in my hometown. I should go find it out and replace a battery to see if this baby still works. What a blast it should be!

Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Ambassador 45mm (Model : 251133)

My first genuine Victorinox product was a plum-red Swiss Army knife that was given to me as a present by my then-Vice President of the division that I was serving, when she went travelling at Switzerland. That was more than a decade ago.

I recently came across the above Classic Ambassador model, which has been unchanged in its design, since it was introduced some years back. It has an automatic movement, sapphire crystal, chronograph and date. I was informed that it used to sell for app RM10k previously, but its pricing has been reduced to app RM5k in the market these days. Take some time to search online and you could get even better pricing, athough you have to take on some freight risks then. It comes with a 2-year warranty.

Perhaps I should add this affordable lil' timepiece to my current collection. What do you say?

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono 45.5mm (Model : 2218.50.00)

After a nice dinner of Garoupa fish head noodles, we went for a walk to help digest the sumptous meal. Lo and behold, I ended up sneaking a peak at the luxury timepiece boutique's window display. On display was one of my favourite watches ie Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean with the much-recognised orange bezel, no less.

It has a pretty large case at 45.5mm, and this was the Chrono version. The Seamaster uses the Omega caliber 3313. The self-winding chronograph movement with column wheel mechanism and Co-Axial Escapement would ensure greater precision, stability and durability of the movement. The design spots free sprung balance, with date, hour, minute and continuous small seconds hands, and a central chronograph hand.

Perhaps business was slow, for the salesperson informed me that he was willing to give me a good deal on the Planet Ocean.

"How much?", I casually asked; and was answered with a selling price of RM15k. Moreover, he spotted my Tag Heuer Carrera and added that he was willing to do a part-exchange. He asked to examine my watch, which was handed over to him and I informed him that the Carrera has been barely used and still has more than a year's warranty with the necessary papers. I was asked to top-up a decent sum to part-exchange the Carrera for the Planet Ocean.

I like the Carrera and I like the Planet Ocean. Which one would you rather have then?

 

Seiko Perpetual Calendar 52mm (Model : SNQ043)

This is definitely my favourite go-to, daily-wearing watch. At the point of purchase, I was attracted by its rugged disposition and extra large case diameter (crown to crown) ie measuring at 52mm (if measured only the case, then it's 40mm) and 13mm thickness.

I used to work in London and I would pick up the Seiko be it spring, summer, autumn or winter- most people wear leather watches during winter as the stainless steel bracelet would be quite cold to the touch, but my Seiko triumphs over the other watches in my collection then (save for the Patek Philippe, which I have since sold during my years there).

The perpetual calendar functionality automatically adjusts for odd and even months, including leap years up to February 28, 2100. You would never be at a loss over the day's date with this very masculine watch. Made in Japan, it uses the 6A32 perpetual calendar quartz movement; and is made from stainless steel. This is one heavy watch and you would definitely get a feel of its premium quality the moment you pick up this watch in your hand.

The carbon fibre-look black dial is decorated with luminous hands and hours' markers that work well in the dark, and protected by hardlex crystal. Water resistant up till 100m or 10 bar, you can take this watch swimming and it would still be ticking happily away in the pool. It also has bi-directional rotating bezel with compass indicator. The attention to details is top-notch and could match that of your regular Swiss watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A replacement battery was due in the first quarter of 2013. This was done at a watch shop at One Utama shopping centre, along with servicing and checking of its inner mechanism and perpetual calendar functionality. Being a good o' Seiko, the parts and labour only amounted to RM80- and that's a steal of a price to keep this baby in top form!

While replica watches normally go in the direction of Swiss makes, a quick search on the Net would indicate many foreign sites offering a replica of this exact same model at app USD260. That's about the same price as that of a replica Rolex Submariner!

It won't be easy to find this baby in the market these days- a good friend marvelled at mine and spend some 3 years looking out for this model and is still searching, and if you do find a new old stock, you would be hard-pressed not to purchase it as soon as you lay your hands on this rough and tough, but premium equivalent of the everyman G-shock.

Definitely one of my favourites!

Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph 41mm Date (Model : CV2010.BA0794)

As per the aforementioned title, I'll be looking at my Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph today. I have always have a liking for the Carrera; and when it was a good time to add a piece to my collection, I was considering between the Calibre 16 Date 41mm and Calibre 16 Day Date 43mm.

I have always have a preference towards larger cases; but in this case (no pun intended), I found that the 43mm Day Date to be too "crowded" on the face dial, failing to find a more suitable word. I started to consider the 41mm Date and the more I looked at its HD pictures over the Net, the more interesting it looked and the more intrique I was.

I was starting to get sucked into its simpler and classier design- hook, bait and sinker; but I wasn't aware as yet then.

My job requires me to travel a fair bit every month, so I spend a fair bit of time at international airports. One day, I walked into the watch shop at KLIA, near the aerotrain stop, to take a look at the 43mm Day Date but the shop did not have any on stock. They did, however, had the 41mm Date and after trying it on my wrist, I started to appreciate it better.

I flew off shortly and after a glass of wine or two on the plane, I found myself thinking of the 41mm Date when I was crunching numbers in my hotel suite.

A couple of days thereafter, I became part of the satisfied community of happy owners of the Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph model CV2010.BA0794.

Fellow watch lovers whom were used to larger cases would probably need a day or two, to get used to the smaller 41mm case as I did; but thereafter, you may find that it's a good size as it could be covered nicely by your long sleeves if necessary and wouldn't bang about accidentally. The design is nicely-balanced between a tad sporty and dressy, and I find that it would go well with both your polo shirt as well as your function tux. The monochrome Tag Heuer logo has it looking low-profile and classy- a nice variation from the more "me, me, me" watches' design of today.

 
Further, this watch was also featured in the Wristwatch Annual 2013.

All in all, I find that this Carrera is a good addition to any watch lovers' collection; with a good price to boot.