Marcus Hanke
[PuristSPro Moderator]
11296
The looks were never its problem ....
Dear Nicolas, thank you for your well-balanced and highly informative description, and of course your marvelous pictures!
It is no doubt that the V4 is a very attractive and well-finished watch, but that was never disputed. In the center of the various debates, though, we found concerns about its reliability, efficience, and useability. The concept of using teethed belts has yet to prove that it can achieve a similar performance as teethed wheels and pins. However, at this price tag, I assume that 99.9% of all V4s actually sold will disappear in safe storage, and will never - or barely - be in use.
Remember the issue of the original "Freak", where the problems appeared only many years after the watches were produced, because most of them were safe queens.
Regards,
Marcus
I've tested the Monaco V4 for you.
In 2004, Tag Heuer presented an original watch, the V4. Since 2004, we were impatiently waiting to see the final version of this watch. It is now done! In November, and till the end of this year, Tag Heuer will deliver the first 100 pieces worldwide, whil...
Marvellous post!
Thanks Nico for the nice and detailed pictures. Many have been asking for this V4, and this piece will be a testimony to TAG Heur, as many think it may not be able to realise for production. I just hope TAG Heuer would pick up some pointers from Guy Ellia...
As you, I'm happy to finally see it arriving!
We waited for it for 5 long years! I was really excited to see it, and satisfied to see the work done on this watch. Best, and thanks for your input, my friend. Nicolas
Great post !!!
Nicolas, your pictures really give a good "look" on the watch, i've seen many other pics but your first live pics really make me "understand" the watch (finally after all those years). The case in platinum will be a good choice because you're going to pay...
There was a lot of talks, and scepticism about this watch, Filip
But it is here, finally. And it is a damn nice watch, indeed, against Scepticism, Irony, and I don't know what else. To me, the engraving Tag Heuer on the case was not necessary, as I see it as an excess of Pride, or an " Erreur de jeunesse " ( Youth Mist...
The looks were never its problem ....
Dear Nicolas, thank you for your well-balanced and highly informative description, and of course your marvelous pictures! It is no doubt that the V4 is a very attractive and well-finished watch, but that was never disputed. In the center of the various de...
You're absolutely right, Marcus
Only Time will tell if this innovative system will be reliable. IF they don't stay in the safe, indeed... Which would be really sad, IMO. Your comparison with the Freak is totally correct. I was always amazed by the fact that so many years after, people d...
Great photos. Saw the watch in the flesh too and your photos
are great. Generally very impressed that TAG brought this to market and a great edition. Wish I had the spare cash. Thanks for sharing Andrew H
Impressed is the correct word, Andrew
I was speechless... It is one thing to see press file pics, it is really different to be able to handle it and to make live pics. Best, Nicolas
Great review
Best yet I've seen. I am only hoping to see this watch in regular production in stainless. Good to see Tag persevere. It was an "on again off again" project. I also hope it gets put to the test on the wrist.
I asked, Kevster
And it looks like it will be a " one shot " production. It also seems that Tag will include some of the V4 solutions on their future watches, which looks logical to me, if you think how much work and time they spent on this " project watch ". Best, Nicola...
Thanks Nicolas!
Great to see some good live pics of the watch, it's certainly a fantastic concept piece. TAG and Mr Ruchonnet should be very proud of themselves. On reflection though I'm rather underwhelmed by the final product, I think the 'dial' and overall finish is l...
I was told that TAG HEUER didn't want to
Do another Tourbillon, like all the other brands, but something very special, with this concept watch. And they finally managed to do it ! So hats off to them. I find that the dial and the finish is coherent with the spirit of this watch, which, once agai...
Number of belts
Excellent post. Thank you. Any one has any idea how many belts are there?
Intriguing, Nico . . .
. . . is TH claiming an empirical benefit to belt drive? Because if not, it's really more an exercise in fantasy than utility. I don't think I've ever commented on the scale of pricing before, but for this extraordinary watch, I'll make an exception. I th...
I'd see it as another option to the Silicium, Art....
If you add the RD and the difficulty due to the original techbnicirty, that may explain that... BUT, I tend to agree with you. At 30 000 Euros, or just a bit more, it xould have been terrific. Now, I'm not in charge of T.H, and don't know how much costed ...
Interesting piece, but.........
Can't say it any other way. This is an interesting design. How robust? No one knows. But nearly $100K price???????? Are you kidding me? Just react, don't think long about this one. Would you rather have two Philippe Dufour Simplicities or one of these? Or...
thanks for the review and pics Nico. i love it!
it really is my kind of watch so i wont waste superlatives trying to describe why i like it. its a shame i'll probably never even wear one let along own one. best Graham
Hey, Jeff ............
This is a dangerous playground, here, my friend. Would you for the same price prefer to get a RM 004, or 20 FF...??? A classic piece or a concept watch? If you go this way, so would you prefer a Dufour or for much less, a PP Calatrava? All is very subject...
Of course you're right
Nicolas: Certainly you are right. Whether the price is correct will be judged by the market. I was merely expressing my own view that it is too expensive for what it is. There are other prices I can imagine that would make this watch interesting to me, bu...
WHAT NO CHRONOGRAPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JK you think it would have taken long to make the V4......
Thanks a lot Nico for the report.
Great pics and excellent report. I'm less convinced by the watch. I like the layout of the caliber, the technical contents but at the end, I don't like the overall design of the watch. I would have put an other pair of hands and the contrast between them ...
Sure it has a strong look ,and maybe not everyone's taste.
But it has a merit: It doesn't let indiferrent! Best, Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-10-27 12:38:50
Thank you for the fantastic report!
Stunning and cool timepiece, would buy one if I could. Thanks for sharing. Vte
Thanks Nicolas for this superb post...
A really great job made, as always. As I said you in a previous post, I´ve always connect in my mind this V4 with some (few) watches... them are really Concept Watches, like our beloved and admired UN Freak. A nice work made of Hight Tech, a nice game wit...
Aaah the Carrera 1964 / 2004!
That was one of these few watches I regret having sold! Nothing extraordinary, horologically speaking, but it had a lot of charm! As for the V4, it is indded another league, and I'm happy to see it exists, finally. Thanks for your nice words, my friend. B...
Great pics and report, Thanks for your report!
Interesting concept, I was happy to read about the belts having steel wire inside them. I was always troubled by the "Stretch" factor of old belts. Is it safe to assume Tag sorted out this potential hazard inherent in rubber belts? An interesting looking ...
Hey, Tim
The comparison with the Freak is only valid as they both are very original watches, to me. This is indeed the only one common point between these 2. And I agree with you on your reserves about comparing them too far. I guess TAG sorted out all the problem...
I suspect we agree pretty much here.
I appreciate Tag going to the lengths to try something as yet not done. If it proves to be useful horologically, excellent, otherwise it is more cool micro-mechanical wrist art! All the best, Tim
LOL, Jed... I wish
You will see one in the flesh soon! This is an experience to live, my friend. Best! Nicolas
Thx for a great report on the V4 Nicolas.
Always good to check out new innovations in the watch industry.Personally,I feel TH has missed the boat with this Concept, coming at a time where prudence and practicality are on peoples' mind,When I first read about it,maybe a couple of years ago, at the...
I totally understand your point of view, Fernando
At this price TAG ( sorry for the bad pun ), some will go on PP, JLC or VC, while others will take the risk. The thing is also to know what T.H will do with this technology: Developping it on new watches, which seems logical if we consider all the work do...
A great watch!
I am genuinely impressed with the beautiful finishing of this Tag Heuer. This Tag is easily the best-finished Tag-Heuer watch I've ever seen. I was even more impressed with the transmission belts and the further testament to motorsports heritage. The watc...
Nice TAG and the other TAG
This TAG watch is really a marvel in watch engineering. Just the price TAG...
I think it will be a very personal decision
At the moment of making the decision and the balance between the interest of this watch and its price... Indeed, not an easy thing! Best, Nicolas
So good to seeing this watch finally
Thanks a lot for your report and very good photographs. Love the watch! GEO
Thanks, Géo, although my pics would have been better.
It was a great moment to be able to get this watch in my hands... It is a very special watch, very different from the others, maybe more prestigious, but not less interesting! Best, Nicolas
great report
But even if I could afford it, I could NEVER convince myself to pay 70K fot a TAG Heuer, no matter how nice the watch is.
You're too snob, Bruno! :)))
I agree and disagree at the same time, my friend. I agree that the price is important, even MAYBE excessive, BUT if I had to pay such a price for an exceptional watch, I would do it, independantly of the name written on the dial or on the case. Will you b...
at that level I think we're all a bit snobs
"Will you buy a watch wit a prestigious name but which won't be your taste instead of buying a watch which is your taste, but not coming with a prestigious name?" No, If its a Patek, VC , AP ,... I don't like I will not buy it . I'm not that kind of snob ...
If Kia or Hyundai would release
A superb car, at a better level of Performances, Finsh, and Design than an Aston Martin, I don't see why I'd go on an Aston Martin... And I would go further: If The Duometre was launched by PP, what would be the price tag, and would have been even better ...
Finally completed
Its like seeing a concept car coming to life in production. How is this compared to the Datagraph? cheers Pat
Compared to the Datograph, Patrick?
Wow, these are 2 different watches! One is the expression of Traditional and Sublime Horology, the other if Futuristic, an UFO! Can't see the link between these 2... Best, my friend. Nicolas
Great report Nico. Herein lies the problem...
In the United States the watch will retail for 80k I was told. A platinum Datograph is around 65k. To spend so much money on this Tag Heuer when other horological legends are available for considerably less is hard to fathom. You would have to be convince...
It depends, Michael,
If you're more fan of the Concept Watches than on Traditional Horology... If you already have all, why not adding this one in your collection? I agree, nonetheless, with you on a virtual titanium V4...If TAG would have released it in such a metal with a b...
Agree Nic
If it was in a more " precious" metal element than it may have been more palatable. But then again it is like a wild card and something that's not common. \ As they say, something unique has its unique price. cheers Pat
Thanks for your nice words, Jeff!
Do you imagine this watch with a nice patined dial??? Best, Nicolas
THANK YOU Nicolas
for the GREAT Report. i really enjoyed it a lot but left my Heart aching, and my Fingers are half Frozen as i Type !! what can i say.! i LOVE this Piece but was a sad Day for me when i found out about it's Price in the Watchxxxx Magazine ;0(((((((( **** B...
We're on the same wave, Tony.
As for the price, it is another thing. As you I can admire a watch independantly of the price. And this watch is indeed very special! Best, and thanks for your enthusiastic input! Nicolas
Nice watch but ridiculous price
But I am sure 150 pieces can be easily sold. Regards Ling
I don't know if Ridiculous is the correct word, Ling
High,, to high, maybe...Ridiculous, when you know all the efforts employed for this watch which will therefore be made in very few quantity, I wouldn't use Ridiculous. Even too high may not be the correct word, IF T.H sells all the V4 quite easily. TIme w...
I have 4 V's for you Nicolas
Very well documented love the work that your tiny Sony is capable of (miracle!) Very much all you said I agree about Tag engraving on case, price, finish etc (you got it all right IMO) Very nice futuristic reinterpretation of Monaco as you mentioned Very ...
and here is a little video...
... to give motion to that great post : www.youtube.com Nicolas, as u always, u've put it up so nicely. Karim
LOL, Karim...Why did I spent so much time to put it in words and pics when a Video
Says it all! Best, my friend Nicolas
ur right and wrong....
... becuz ur pics stays in front of our eyes for a long time, and like hypnozise, slowly slowly, its starts digging its place in our mind, somewhere... where? i don't know, if i knew, i'd go there, and delete everything and put a block on all income pics ...
great review and photos...
the concept and presentation intrigues me...but the price... I find the RM a bit more appealing... THANKS for the review..
Thanks for your nice comments, my friend.
Well, I think that RM has his partisans, as well as this TAG, which I see very different from a RM, and from any other watch, indeed. What a wonderful world where we live, with so different tastes ! Best, Nicolas