Tag Carrera vs Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra, please help!

[HardDrive]

OK, PLEASE don't kill me for posting another watch thread, but I am really having trouble deciding what to do.

Its down to 2 Choices, the watches are the exact ones pictured below. A Tag Carrera ($1900) or an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra ($2950). Price is not a concern, but I want the extra $1000 to be worth $1000.

I like the look of the Tag more (flat crystal, more angular), but its not a home run, the watches are very similar.

The questions:
1) Does the fact that the Omega is a chronometer and the Tag is not justify the extra $1000?

2) Its seems like the Omegas are a more respected watch in 'watch fan' circles. Is this true?

3) Is the co-axial movement of the Omega a real improvement, or is it just a marketing gimmick?

Voting is open!!!!

[petrolhead611]

Chronometer implies a tested level of accuracy in a mechanical watch that a mechanical Chronograph won't have. Would guess that an Omega will hold its value better than a TAG as most of the secondhand watch dealers advertise that they want to buy Omegas.

[David]

I'm partial to Tags having a few myself, but I agree with petrolhead.

[benp911]

Funny you post this as either a tag carrera or a blue seamaster (bond style)will be my next watch. My daily is a rolex submariner so I have not been hard pressed to make a secondary watch purchase. When all my free cash does not go into my 911 I will buy another watch.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by petrolhead611

Chronometer implies a tested level of accuracy in a mechanical watch that a mechanical Chronograph won't have. Would guess that an Omega will hold its value better than a TAG as most of the secondhand watch dealers advertise that they want to buy Omegas.

That is not correct. A chronograph is a watch that can measure intervals- it has stopwatch function, or "complication". A chronograph is a watch whose movement is certified to a Swiss standard to run, IIRC -4/+6 seconds per day in certain positions. So a chronograph may also be a chronometer. Chronometer is pretty meaningless as most movements are certified before assembly in the case. Any good mechanical watch can be adjusted to run with that specification.

Hardrive-

1. Not really.
2. Yes. TAG is design house that bought the old house Heuer in the mid eighties. They dont actually make watches, they design them and other people make them. Their watches use bread and butter Swiss ETA movements. They are unexceptional, but pretty nice nonetheless.
3. The CoAxial movement is regarded as a pretty signficant advance on the traditonal mechanical movement.

While a popular big brand like TAG, Omega is a very old house and they still make fine watches. That Seamaster harks back to the classic 50's Seamasters of the 50's- I have one of these and its still going strong.

Get the one you like best- but for that sort of coin, stay out of the mall and investigate Sinn, IWC, Ulyssie Nardin.

[petrolhead611]

Actually it was not I that was wrong, but you,Stuiartj. It is a Chronometer that is tested and certified by the relevant Swiss authority, not a chronograph. A Chronograph is a watch with at minimum an interval timing function with no guarantee whatsover of accuracy. As it is, a Chronometer can lose its accuracy over time, and will then need servicing. Anyway, if you want real accuracy buy a $25 quartz watch, but before doping so ask yourself why you need to run your life to an accuracy of 1-2 seconds a day!
You will be wearing the watch, so be please with its appearance otherwise you won't enjoy it.
Theree are lots of watches on the market,about 150 Swiss brands alone I believe( some initiated by Americans actually, such as IWC) so maybe some more research is needed before splashing the cash.

[Damian in NJ]

Chronophobia, yup its a real syndrome. But what's with 'Aqua Terra?' Is it Aqua or Terra?

[gtc]

Why does the Tag have quarter-second hash marks when it doesn't have a chronograph? It looks simple, yet 'busy' at the same time.
I voted for the Omega.

[911boost]

No matter which one you choose, please make sure you start a thread with your watch next to all your Porsche rimz, so you can show off da blingz!

[MikeSid]

This poll won't be close. Omega. Hands down.

[Damian in NJ]

They're on v.4 or 5 of the Daniels escapement, so it should be reliable now.

[BRPORSCHE]

There is a reason why the astronauts where omega's and nothing else.

[RPKESQ]

I voted for the Omega. The Swiss watch industry is extremely price-point controlled. Ignoring "killer deals" the retail price reflects several attributes of any given new watch.

1) Cost to manufacture. If truly made in Switzerland (not all Swiss Made labelled watches are) the labor and material cost is fairly uniform for the same skill level and material.

2) Some cost is advertising. This is not wasted, needless cost to the consumer as it raises the public awareness and demand for a watch. Therefore resale value is increased to the consumer. Rolex is the undisputed king in this regard. Rolex produces few cutting edge or advanced designs. But they have spent a fortune on two areas, case finishing and advertising. They are the king of mass produced watch resale value because of it.

3) Residual value. See above

4) Design costs. The CoAxial movement is a monumental improvement in basic watch design (up there with a tourbillion). It does take more effort to produce than a simpler movement.

[ghost1001]

Omega...no question....

Omega is known as a highly reputable "tool" watch company....what does that mean?
That they build extremely accurate and durable mechanical time measuring devices….yes they have fashion and dress in the line, but their history is tied to scientific exploration, (similar to rolex in that regard) they offer the only watch certified for space flight by NASA (to my knowledge) the Speedmaster.

Tag, although still a good watch and very nice looking will not have the same “history” as the Omega.

Omega is regarded very highly in watch circles particularly in Europe and Japan. If you ever decide to sell the Omega will retain its value far better than the Tag.

I agree with a few people that you should dig a little deeper and look at a few other brands including IWC or Rolex as they make watches that are similar to what you show above.

Having said that I would not hesitate to buy the Omega.

[MRM]

Of the two, I agree on Omega. I'm wearing my Seamaster Pro Chronograph (which also happens to be a chronometer).

But I have a suggestion for an obvious alternative. The watch you describe seems to be a Rolex Submariner. They're made with either a date or no date, can be had new for not much more than your budget and used for well under. They hold their value well, are tough as nails, and are appropriate for any situation.

I'd really suggest looking at a no date sub for a clean, understated and eternally classy look.

[Damian in NJ]

Originally Posted by BRPORSCHE

There is a reason why the astronauts where omega's and nothing else.

Not true, and a Waltham wrist chronograph also moon walked.

[BeyGon]

If you are buying it because you like it, it doesn't matter. If you want resale, get a Rolex.

[jyl]

It is interesting to read about how the Omega Speedmaster was chosen by NASA as the astronauts' watch. An engineer at NASA bought various models of watches which were torture tested and the Omega survived. I think the Speedmasters that went into space were standard production models, but am not positive. It's kind of like the NASA Hasselblad and Nikons, but those were specially made for space. I think many models of watch have worn in space, from Russian watches used by the cosmonauts, Casio G-Shocks, Seikos, etc. The watch that I think has the most "space" image today is the Omega X-33.

[Damian in NJ]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

I voted for the Omega. The Swiss watch industry is extremely price-point controlled. Ignoring "killer deals" the retail price reflects several attributes of any given new watch.

1) Cost to manufacture. If truly made in Switzerland (not all Swiss Made labelled watches are) the labor and material cost is fairly uniform for the same skill level and material.

2) Some cost is advertising. This is not wasted, needless cost to the consumer as it raises the public awareness and demand for a watch. Therefore resale value is increased to the consumer. Rolex is the undisputed king in this regard. Rolex produces few cutting edge or advanced designs. But they have spent a fortune on two areas, case finishing and advertising. They are the king of mass produced watch resale value because of it.

3) Residual value. See above

4) Design costs. The CoAxial movement is a monumental improvement in basic watch design (up there with a tourbillion). It does take more effort to produce than a simpler movement.

1) Every watch labeled Swiss Made must be assembled in Switzerland.

2) Rolex offers incredible advances in materials technology. The watches are tractors, but the materials they create add to durability. Check out their video on their proprietary Everose alloy, which uses a small percentage of platinum to prevent the color from fading over time. Their hairspring alloy is incredibly temperature and anti-magnetic. It's not silicon or diamond as far as cutting edge, but you'll be able to work on it.

And Omega is close to Rolex for celebrity endorsements. How much did it cost to hire Schumacher, Clooney, Brosnan, and Cindy Crawford?

3) Classic Omega watches have residual value, but modern day Omega is just one of the twenty or so brands owned by the Swatch Group, and below four other brands in the company rank of prestige. (Breguet, Blancpain, Glashutte, and Jaquet Droz).

4) George Daniels invented the co-ax escapement and sold/licensced the design to Omega. Early versions, well, didn't run so well. There have been several redesigns. And while a value in a pocketwatch worn vertically a tourbillion serves no purpose on a wristwatch.

So buy what you like. From my experience a modern day Omega is better put together using better materials than a TAG.

[Damian in NJ]

Originally Posted by Damian in NJ

Not true, and a Waltham wrist chronograph also moon walked.

Here you go-Astronaut Omega watch repair in space. I love seeing the case screws floating up off the caseback.

THE PASSAGE OF TIME: OMEGA SPEEDMASTER X33 WATCH REPAIR IN SPACE