Search
Close this search box.

Tag Heuer: History, Collections, & What You Need To Know

Get to know Tag Heuer watches, the brands history, and the collections that have made Tag Heuer one of the most popular watch brands.

Tag Heuer Overview & History

Tag Heuer is one of the oldest watch brands still making watches. Founded in 1860 by Edward Heuer, the family business was started on the farm manufacturing simple silver pocket watches. 9 year laters Tag Heuer received their first patent that revolutionized pocket watches at the time. No longer did a pocket watch need a key, only the crown was needed to wind the watch. As simple as that may sound today, at the time this was revolutionary but Edward Heuer wasn’t done yet. In 1887 Tag Heuer received another patent for the oscillating pinion. This allowed chronographs to start and stop instantaneous. Both major patents elevated Tag Heuer as a legitimate and forward thinking watch manufacture.

Fast forward a century of watchmaking and instrument innovation, ownership changed hands for the 1st time. A lesser known fact about Tag Heuer is that they weren’t always called Tag Heuer. Even though we’ve referenced the company as Tag Heuer for this entire article, between the years of 1860 to 1885, the watchmaker just went by the name Heuer. Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG) purchased Heuer and combined both names to create the name we know today, Tag Heuer. In 1999 another ownership change happen with the purchase from the LVMH group out of France.

Even through all ownership changes, Tag Heuer as a company from its inception has focused on innovation accurate timekeeping specifically for chronograph watches. Racing is the core DNA for the Tag Heuer brand and have produced famous race watches along with notoriously complex watches like the Mikrograph.

What Is Tag Heuer Known For

Tag Heuer is most known for their chronograph watches. Racing is what the brand is known for and what it has excelled as. The flagship watches for Tag Heuer is the Carrera and the Monaco, both chronograph racing collections. We’ll go into more details on both these collections later in this article.

Who Wears Tag Heuer Watches

In todays market market, Tag Heuer watches are mostly worn by two different types of buyers. The first is the person who values the history of Tag Heuer and enjoys quality racing watches. The second buyer is most likely new to luxury Swiss watches because Tag Heuer price points are at an entry level price point for this caliber of watches.

Tag Heuer Watch Collections

Tag Heuer Carrera

Tag Heuer Carrera

The flagship watch of Tag Heuer is doubtably the Carrera. This collection embodies what Tag heuer is all about, which is racing. Recently the Carrera was upgraded with the in-house Heuer 02 movement that boasts an 80hr power reserve.

MSRP: $4,200 – $24,650

Tag Heuer Monaco

The Monaco collection by Tag Heuer was famously developed for the Monaco Grand Prix. This collection is by far the most famous and is highly sought after by many of the brands enthusiasts. The most well known reference is the Steve McQueen Gulf.

MSRP: $6,350 – $6,750

Tag Heuer Aquaracer

Tag Heuer Aquaracer

Many of Tag Heuers first customers are Aquaracer owners. The Aquaracer collection is the best daily wear, comes in many different color combinations, and provides good value. Aquaracer owners can enjoy an accurate and tough dive watch at entry level Swiss watch prices.

MSRP: $1,600 – $4,350

Tag Heuer Autavia

Tag Heuer Autavia

Many watch brands are reigniting their history and for Tag Heuer that means bringing the Autavia collection back to life. This vintage release by Tag Heuer has impressed the brands following with both it’s build quality and simple design.

MSRP: $3,100 – $3,850

Tag Heuer Formula 1

Tag Heuer Formula 1

The entry level collection for Tag Heuer is the Formula 1. Most watches within this collection are fitted with quartz movements and are meant for easy wearing in racing or rugged environments.

MSRP: $1,200 – $3,400

Tag Heuer Link

Tag Heuer Link

The dress watch or maybe simplified as the most sophisticated watch within the Tag Heuer collections is the Link. The bracelet on the Link collection stands out in a crowd and it’s what has earned the collections name.

MSRP: $2,950 – $4,500 

Tag Heuer Pricing & Availability

Tag Heuer watches are mostly priced at the entry level price points for their respective collections. Most Tag Heuer watches can be purchased between $1,500 – 4,300 MSRP. The Formula 1 collection is the least expensive and the Carrera is overall the most expensive collection.

Availability isn’t a concern for Tag Heuer buyers. Most of Tag Heuer watches are readily available except for certain limited editions.

Tag Heuer Reviews

If you’re wondering if Tag Heuer makes great watches, all you have to do is check out their reviews. Tag Heuer is great at quality chronograph watches and great entry level collections. After interviewing official Tag Heuer authorized dealers, we heard a lot of the same responses. The most common response of the Tag Heuer buyer is that most of them have more than one Tag Heuer. Personally, I think there isn’t a better indicator if Tag Heuer produces quality watches than hearing that buyers are coming back to buy more.

Does Tag Heuer Make Their Own Movements

Tag Heuer produced their first in-house movement in 2010, calibre 1887. Since the introduction of the chronograph calibre 1887 movement, Tag Heuer has released the Calibre Heuer 02 movement. The Heuer 02 movement was a giant step forward to elevating the Carrera collection and competing against similar watches.

Heuer 02 Specs

  • Movement: Automatic
  • Power Reserve: 80 Hrs
  • Frequency: 4Hz
  • Jewels: 33
  • Certification: COSC
For many years Tag has relied on outsourced movement like the ETA 2824-2 which has been renamed the Calibre 5. Check out our full overview and review of the Calibre 5.

How To Pronounce Tag Heuer

Tag Heuer is pronounced as the following: TAG HOY UR.

Do Tag Heuer Watches Hold Their Value

Unfortunately Tag Heuer watches do not hold their value. In fact they are one of the worst luxury watch brands when it comes to retaining value.

This is bad for buyers who are getting these watches new but really well for enthusiasts who are willing to purchased used. If you buy pre-owned, you’ll be able to acquire Tag Heuer watches at a significant discount.

Common Tag Heuer Questions

Do Tag Heuer Watches Hold Their Value

Tag Heuer watches underperform when it comes to resale value. It’s not uncommon to see most Tag Heuer watches sell at 60% of the original MSRP on the pre-owned market.

Is Tag Heuer A Luxury Watch

Tag Heuer watches are undoubtedly luxury watches. They may not be high end Swiss watches but they are definitely part of a small number of quality luxury watchmakers in Switzerland.

Is Tag heuer A Good Brand

When it comes to ranking watch brands, Tag Heuer is considered entry level. Although that may sound bad, it’s really not. Tag Heuer watches sit in the top 1% of watch companies around the world but often get overshadowed by the other brands they compete with.

Why Tag Heuer Isn’t Respected

Tag Heuer tends to not be respected by some because of the perceived confusion of the brand, which they aren’t incorrect. At times the brand seems to be more about culture and at other times wants to brand themselves a haute horology. Then the next year they are pushing active wearable smart watches. Like most global brands, they became successful for a reason, my advice is stick to what got you here.

What Is The Cheapest Tag Heuer

The cheapest Tag Heuer is the Formula 1 41mm quartz watch, reference WAZ1110.FT8023.

Did You Like This Article?

At Wrist Advisor, we offer honest and unbiased expert watch reviews on popular and interesting watches. We pride ourselves on being the expert authority on providing accurate information and in-depth analysis on the watches that our readers enjoy.

Our goal is to provide informed and insightful luxury watch reviews that are based on facts and research that our readers will find resourceful.

We appreciate being your trusted source of watch news, reviews, and much more. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your horological journey.

Subscribe To Wrist Advisor

Join our community

Join our newsletter for updates on new watch releases, hands-on reviews, expert buyer guides, and more…