Monthly Archives for May 2024

Why The 1:1 Clone TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph Is Now More Collectable Than Ever

So, whatever happened to the replica TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph? It was easily TAG Heuer‘s biggest launch in 2019, one destined to fill a gap in the brand’s offerings as a perfectly affordable, three-hand sports watch built atop the legendary Autavia heritage. But the new replica TAG Heuer was more than just a handsome three-dimensional dial set inside a well-proportioned case — inside, the watch was powered by a revolutionary new hairspring technology that debuted only two months prior. It was, not surprisingly, one of the most talked-about watches at Baselworld last year, but after a splashy launch, the watches themselves never seemed to fully materialize at retailers. Then, back in January of this year, TAG Heuer issued a press release announcing the replica Autavia Chronometer, powered by what appeared to be a standard chronometer-certified Calibre 5 movement — the same as what’s inside most of TAG Heuer’s modern three-handed watches. I recently checked in with the TAG Heuer team to get more insight into the story behind the movement change, while spending a few weeks with the new Cal. 5 replica Autavia on the wrist to get a better idea of how it wears (spoiler alert: exactly the same as it wore last year).

Physically speaking, both the 2023 replica Isograph and the 2024 Cal. 5 replica Autavia watches are virtually identical. The case, in both stainless steel and bronze, with its knurled push-pull crown and snappy bi-directional rotating bezel, the cool quick-release strap options, and multitude of lovely degradé color choices all remain the same. The physical dimensions of the 42mm x 14mm case and its 100-meter water resistance are also the same. A closer look at the dial reveals the only tell: the word “Automatic” has replaced “Isograph” where the latter was once sandwiched between “Autavia” and “Chronometer.”

As the heartbeat of every mechanical watch, the hairspring is objectively the most complicated part of the watch’s movement to manufacture. With tolerances measuring under 0.1 microns, the traditional Swiss watch hairspring starts its life as an iron-nickel alloy wire that is transformed into a whisper-thin coiled spring over the course of a number of highly complex processes. At the same time, it is also the movement’s most crucial and sensitive component, one that’s highly susceptible to outside influence — shock, magnetism, gravity (i.e., the watch’s position being horizontal or upright, etc., while on the wrist), and even subtle natural defects in manufacturing — all of which can yield imprecise and unpredictable timekeeping in the watch itself. Consistently producing a hairspring that’s impervious to these side effects, and doing so at industrial scale, has remained a conundrum for many a well-heeled manufactory. Because of this, very few brands have ever managed to achieve true independence from Nivarox, the Swatch Group’s longtime supplier of this critical component for much of the watch industry.

So, to call TAG Heuer’s bid to produce a new amagnetic hairspring out of an experimental new carbon-based material at its own manufactory in La Chaux-de-Fonds “a gamble” would be putting it mildly. But the truly disruptive move on the brand’s part wasn’t just producing a hairspring at scale that could out-perform any established silicon or alloy alternative, it was putting that proprietary hairspring in a new collection of relatively affordable sports watches — making the technological breakthrough and its genuine end-user benefits available for pretty much everyone. All of that was well and good, but as we’d later learn, the full-scale industrialization of the replica Isograph hairsprings wasn’t quite ready for prime time, with production unable to meet global demand. So rather than permanently relegate the new replica TAG Heuer Autavia to obscurity on the proverbial waiting list, the brand opted to make a running change: recall any unsold inventory of the replica Isograph Autavias and revert back to the standard Calibre 5 movement deployed in many of its three-handed Aquaracer, Carrera, and Formula 1 watches.

What does that mean for collectors? Well, for starters, while we might never know the exact number of replica Isograph-badged Autavia watches that escaped recall and remain on wrists, its innovative technology and extremely short production run all but guarantees a very high level of collectability. It also means a slight price change: The new replica Autavia gets a $400 reduction on the now-discontinued replica Isograph variants, making an attractive and highly capable sports watch that much more affordable. But perhaps more importantly, the Calibre 5 (ETA 2824-2 base) is one of TAG Heuer’s most widely deployed calibres, with a long history of predictable timekeeping and easy serviceability — these benefits will certainly extend to the new replica TAG Heuer Autavia, as well.

Movement change aside, the fact remains that it might have seemed like a strange maneuver in 2019 to re-launch the iconic replica Autavia chronograph platform around a three-handed sports watch, but as we learned after chatting with CEO Stephane Bianchi in Dubai earlier this year, it wasn’t an easy decision. But it was a choice made with the full understanding that a three-hand watch still faithfully represented the spirit and capability of the replica Autavia, which was originally conceived as a sporting watch that could serve the needs of both pilots and motor racers. Plus, it bears repeating — this was also a conscious decision to address a gap in TAG Heuer’s heritage-inspired offerings, where a sporty and affordable option simply didn’t yet exist.

Ultimately, though the beating heart of the Calibre 5 replica Autavia might not be quite as exciting as its progenitor, the watch itself is every bit as good as, if not better than, before, especially if economics is at the core of your next watch purchase. But the real question here is whether or not the replica Isograph will ever return to the replica Autavia? It might be a little too early to tell, but if I were a gambling man, I’d argue that all the investment in its research, development, and production won’t be going to waste and that a re-launch is certainly on the way. As for specifically when that might be, though, it’s probably safe to assume that the brand won’t jump the gun twice — and when it’s ready, it’ll be really ready.

Best Replica TAG Heuer Carrera Watch

Collaboration designs are nothing new in the modern luxury watch market, but for the most part, they exist as partnerships between a watchmaker and another single brand. Bamford Watch Department’s latest release, however, is the product of no less than four separate entities. The reason for this complex web of collaborations is simple – this watch is part of a broader collaboration between streetwear media site Highsnobiety and famed German automaker RUF Automobile. RUF has a decades-long history of working alongside sports car giant Porsche, transforming 911s and other Porsche models into high-performance monsters like the SCR and the legendary CTR “Yellowbird,” which boasted an incredible 213 miles-per-hour top speed that made it the world’s fastest production automobile on its introduction in 1987 (for context, the previous record-holding Ferrari F40 topped out at only 201 miles-per-hour). While this partnership ranges from apparel, caps, coffee mugs, model cars, and more, the watch is the crown jewel of the collection, with a reworked dial layout and a unique colorway that stands out from its stablemates at a glance. The new limited edition RUF x Bamford x Highsnobiety – replica TAG Heuer Carrera is an intriguing effort to push the boundaries of co-branding, with a cleanly vibrant look that belies its complex backstory.

Measuring in at 42mm-wide and 14.4mm-thick, the stainless steel case of the RUF x Bamford x Highsnobiety – 1:1 Super Clone TAG Heuer Carrera is more or less carried over from the standard production Heuer 02-equipped Carrera line. All the Carrera series hallmarks are present and accounted for in images, including the distinctive inwardly beveled lugs and the narrow sloping polished bezel. The largest visual difference comes through the sapphire display caseback, which uses not one but three printed logos. Although the RUF emblem, the Highsnobiety logo, and the “Bamford Limited Edition” text at 6 o’clock all appear to be clearly and sharply printed, they do markedly obscure the view of the movement within in initial images. As with the standard production Carrera, this model offers a solid 100 meters of water resistance.

The RUF x Bamford x Highsnobiety – Fake TAG Heuer Carrera’s largest departure from its standard production siblings is its dial. Bamford goes far beyond a simple colorway swap here, offering a rarely seen subdial and date window delete that both require a solid amount of work to achieve, and delivers a cleaner, more elemental layout in images. The main dial surface is a rich, deep matte hunter green in images, a color that has been a core part of RUF’s branding since its founding. TAG Heuer’s familiar striped baton handset and faceted applied indices remain here, but Bamford accents these standard elements with a striking saffron yellow central chronograph seconds hand featuring a black striped tip. The chronograph subdial hands at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock also echo this vibrant yellow hue above azurage bases and raised outer subdial rings. 6 o’clock is where this model makes its most notable changes, as the familiar running seconds subdial and date window are removed to make way for a bold, streamlined RUF badge in the same bright orange-yellow hue. Nestled inside this logo is a smaller Highsnobiety emblem, while Bamford’s own signature takes up the space between the 6 o’clock and 7 o’clock indices. While these elements work together to form a solid visual counterweight to the subdials for a balanced feel in images, these layers of branding may not suit all tastes.

Inside the RUF x Bamford x Highsnobiety – replica TAG Heuer Carrera beats TAG Heuer’s in-house Heuer 02 automatic chronograph movement. The Heuer 02 is found throughout TAG Heuer’s higher-end chronograph lines, and its performance fits its role as the company’s modern flagship powerplant. With a vertical clutch, a column wheel, and a massive 80-hour power reserve at a 28,800 bph beat rate, the Heuer 02 is a standout in the modern chronograph market. In terms of finishing, the movement is modern and handsome in images, with Côtes de Genève across its skeleton bridges, an anthracite gray tone skeleton balance cock, and a stylish wheel-inspired skeleton rotor in rose gold topped with Côtes de Genève. Bamford equips the RUF x Bamford x Highsnobiety – replica TAG Heuer Carrera with a pair of straps, including a dial-matching hunter green strap in richly textured Saffiano leather and a box-stitched forest green fabric NATO strap.

AAA Super Clone TAG Heuer Carrera X Porsche RS 2.7 Watches

Replica TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7 series, born from the intensified partnership with the German sports car titan in early 2021, continues to inspire the brand with multiple successful references spanning the Carrera and Connected lines. This collaboration, paying homage to arguably the most pivotal Porsche 911, the 1972 Carrera RS 2.7, perpetuates the legacy of the iconic racing machine renowned for its “race car for the road” ethos. Instantly revitalizing the 911’s racing credentials while redefining its status as a high-performance street car, adorned with the signature Carrera side stripe and ducktail spoiler. The new limited edition TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7 line melds the classic Carrera silhouette with fresh, sporty color schemes and distinctive elements, setting these models apart from the rest.

Crafted in stainless steel or 18K 5N rose gold, the polished 42mm-wide case of the TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7 largely mirrors the current Replica Tag Heuer line. Recognizable features such as the inwardly faceted lugs, narrow polished smooth bezel, and robust piston-style pushers maintain the brand’s identity. However, the Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7 stands out with its unique design element on the 9 o’clock case side. The stainless steel variant boldly flaunts a lacquered accent stripe in vibrant blue, extending from lug to lug, borrowing both color and rounded Carrera script from the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7. Positioned on the 9 o’clock side, this bold addition accentuates the case contours and lug downturn, becoming a striking conversation piece. Matching blue accents on the crown and 10 o’clock pusher enhance the visual impact from different angles. In contrast, the rose gold version adopts a more refined approach, engraving the stripe directly into the case itself, creating visual depth with contrasting brushed finishes within the engraved segment. Both models feature sapphire display casebacks and are water-resistant up to 100 meters.

The dials of the Super Clone TAG Heuer Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7 series strike a balance between dynamic color and clean presentation. The stainless steel model carries the blue motif throughout the dial, featuring pops of cobalt blue against an optic white opaline base. Notably, the 3 o’clock chronograph minutes subdial steals the spotlight with its strikingly simple and graphic raised outer scale. Azurage detailing at the center of the subdials adds complexity to the design. Similarly, the rose gold model adopts Porsche’s Guards Red hue for its accents, complementing the rose gold handset and dial hardware.

Powering the Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7 models is the in-house Heuer 02 automatic chronograph movement, boasting an 80-hour power reserve, a column wheel, and a vertical clutch chronograph actuation system. Its attractive yet restrained finishing features broad Côtes de Genève across the skeleton bridges and a stylized skeleton rotor inspired by modern Porsche 911 steering wheels.

The strap options vary for the two models. The rose gold variant comes with a classical deep red alligator leather strap, while the stainless steel model offers a bespoke NATO strap continuing the blue-on-white Carrera stripe theme, complete with unique engraved Porsche-branded hardware. Additionally, wearers can opt for the included stainless steel H-link bracelet for a more understated look.

Super Clone TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph ‘Glassbox’ Dato And Tourbillon Watches In Teal Green

The Clone TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Dato stands out as the more innovative of the pair, featuring the contemporary 39mm wide “Glassbox” Carrera case in stainless steel. Since its debut in 2023, the “Glassbox” design has swiftly become the standard for modern Carrera models, its retro-futuristic bezel-less form setting a new benchmark. The angular lugs, reminiscent of classic Carrera style, blend seamlessly with the stout pump pushers and the striking bezel-less domed sapphire crystal, creating a captivating fusion of tradition and modernity. When worn, it exudes a timeless compactness while maintaining an airy, futuristic vibe, offering a balanced presence that complements wrists of various sizes. Like its contemporary counterparts, the Carrera Chronograph Dato features a sapphire display caseback and boasts a robust 100 meters of water resistance.

The highlight of the Fake TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Dato is undoubtedly its dial. While much of the design echoes the modern Carrera aesthetic – including the radially brushed dial surface, raised outer subdial scale, striped baton handset, contoured applied indices, and the iconic dune-shaped double-sided chapter ring – Clone TAG Heuer introduces new elements that reshape the overall experience on the wrist. The “one-eyed” single-subdial layout may initially divide enthusiast opinions, lacking the symmetry of standard Carrera chronographs. However, over time, its pared-back asymmetry exudes a jaunty and stylish charm, akin to a casually undone necktie or carefully tousled hair – a quality reminiscent of sprezzatura in fashion. In practical terms, its functionality remains unaffected; after all, how often does one truly require more than 30 minutes of recording time or a dedicated running seconds on a chronograph? The 9 o’clock date window, although deftly integrated among the hour indices, may stir debate within the watch community due to its traditional white date display. Yet, I contend that a teal green date display would disrupt the dial’s balance and distance the watch from its ‘60s Carrera Datos inspiration.

Speaking of the dial color, its rich, deeply charismatic blue-green hue, coupled with the radially brushed finish, exudes a modern yet classic appeal. On the wrist, it leans towards the greener spectrum of teal, reminiscent of Aston Martin’s blue-forward interpretation of British racing green. This hue adds a touch of both contemporary flair and timeless British sporting charm to the design, making it stand out among the broad spectrum of colors offered in recent Carrera models.

Powering the Carrera Chronograph Dato is Fake TAG Heuer’s in-house TH20-07 automatic chronograph movement. An evolution of the Heuer 02 platform, the TH20-07 features a one-register layout specifically tailored for the Carrera Chronograph Dato. With a robust 80-hour power reserve and 28,800 bph beat rate, alongside a column wheel and vertical clutch chronograph actuation system, its performance matches that of its stablemates. While the finishing of the TH20-07 is modern yet understated, featuring Côtes de Genève on the skeleton bridges and matte blasting on the balance cock, the layered TAG Heuer shield-shaped skeleton rotor adds a distinctive touch with its matte blasting and sharp vertical brushing.