TAG Heuer Formula 1: A Collector's Journey

pejp · 2018-12-07T10:17:27Z

pejp shares his watch collecting journey, from his first TAG Heuer Formula 1 to curating a collection that reflects life stages, including an FP Journe Chrono Bleu.

I've been obsessed with watches for a long time. What started with Sekonda and Swatch, has evolved over the years to include at various times IWC, FP Journe, Rolex, Omega, Audemars Piguet, and several others.

However, the one that started it all had always eluded me. I was 8 years old in 1990, when my older cousin received a Tag Heuer Formula 1 for his birthday, and I still remember the moment I saw it. I was absolutely blown away. I just couldn't believe that an object could connect with me on an emotional level like that. My parents gave me everything they could as I was growing up, but a Tag Heuer for an 8 year old was out of the question, so I had to be content with wearing it whenever I would spend time at my cousins house.

I never forgot the Formula 1, and purchased a red Series 3 in 2004. I loved the watch, but it wasn't quite the same. The case was bigger and chunkier, and whilst it scratched the itch, it didn't have that same charm. I still wear it from time to time, but it never connected with me on the level that the Series 1 did, and truth be told, it's spent far more time in the case than on the wrist.

Series 3 - 2004

Fast forward to around 2015. At this point, I'd had many 'serious' watches, but felt my collecting was of a more scattergun approach. I purchased a home, got engaged, and realizing that the time was fast approaching where I couldn't just buy on a whim anymore, I started to think more and more about what my watch collection should look like. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that I wanted the collection to tell a story, to represent stages in my life, and to evolve with me as I grow older. For example, I'd purchased my grail, an FP Journe Chrono Bleu, in my early 30's, but I quickly realised it was the wrong time in my life to own one. It didn't suit my lifestyle, didn't look right with my casual wardrobe, or in the predominantly dive bars and DIY music venues that I frequented in Brooklyn. It was the right watch, at the wrong time. I let it go, with the promise to myself that my collecting should not just focus on the watch as an object in itself, but that it should fit the stage in life I was in.

It was shortly after this time that I realized if I wanted my collection to represent the stages of my life, I would have to look to the past, as well as the present. My mind immediately returned to that Tag F1 Series 1. It was a Series 1, and for me, it was Chapter 1. Now, if you want a Series 1, and you're happy with something beaten up, not working, replacement strap, frankenwatch etc, then it's not that hard to track one down. If you want perfect condition, new old stock, then you'll be in for a harder time. Fortunately, I remembered the advice given to me by Baron when I first got into vintage Rolex, that it's better to wait and get something you're fully satisfied with, than to rush and always know that you could have done better. It took a while, and my search was more of a sporadic nature than an intense hunt, but last month the old adage that 'good things come to those who wait' was proven to be true, and I can finally say that I've been able to go back and write 'Chapter 1'.

Series 1 - 1986 - First year of production

Cheers

pejp

The Discussion

amanico

Dec 7, 2018

Baron gave you a great advice. And it is always rewarding to get the watch you dreamt of, when you were a child. I did the same with the Rolex GMT MASTER, which was my first " real " watch.

Thank you so much for this refreshing post. Best, Nicolas

pejp

Dec 7, 2018

He is indeed a wise man! [nt]

amanico

Dec 7, 2018

First time I read that Baron is a wise man! :))) [nt]

Baron - Mr Red

Dec 7, 2018

And a rabid wolf [nt]

Ares501 - Mr Green

Dec 7, 2018

Great post and very enjoyable read.Thanks [nt]

FabR

Dec 7, 2018

Thanks Pejp for a beautiful post and for sharing your personal insights, your passion as a collector transpires in each line! :-) [nt]

Continue the conversation

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