How to resize Tag Heuer watch band?

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm planning on buying a Tag online

Are you buying from an official dealer? There are LOTS of fake Tag
Heuers out there. Check Heuer's website to make sure your dealer is
listed. There lots of motivation to make a fake Heuer -- it's a $10 -
$50 movement in a nice case that sells for $1,000+ in a fancy box. Some
of the fakes are quite good and even use the same cheap quartz movements
as the real Heuers.

and I'm curious if it's easy to

Post by NewsBirdie
resize the band myself? I know I can take it to a local store and pay
them to resize it but I'd like to do it myself. With my previous
watches it's not easy finding the right size and with my last one I
had to return twice.
I've read how to do it for asian watches but I read it's different for
Swiss watches. I haven't found any information on how it's different.
Do you need special tools? Any help would be appreciated.

There are several different systems used and I'm personally not familiar
with Heuer bracelets to to know without looking. Heuer likely uses
different link systems on different lines of watches. It's a delicate
operation that involves small, easily lost parts and specialized tools.
Assuming you don't bend a pin or lose a tube/clip, one false move and
you'll likely scratch your watch.

Some folks claim a band can be resized with unwound paper clips. Maybe
so but I feel much more comfortable with blocks to hold the band
straight and proper sized punches to move pins or good quality
screwdriver(s) if the band is screwed together. Unless you have super
sharp eyesight you will also need a loupe or, better yet, a headband
magnifier.

So after spending all that money on a new watch don't run the risk of
effing it up by trying to fix it yourself.

Richard "unless it's a fake then it's fine to practice on" F

NewsBirdie

2004-08-14 06:37:15 UTC

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm planning on buying a Tag online

I'm not sure why but I get the impression that you do not like Tag
Heuer watches! ;) I'm planning on buying it from this website:

http://www.bacario.com/details.asp?ProductID=895&Sourceid=30451

It's the Kirium F1 and I haven't seen another watch like it.

Thanks for the info on resizing. I hope to get more information
because I'd really like to be able to do it myself. I'm a
do-it-yourselfer.

-Michael

zog

2004-08-14 07:49:08 UTC

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm planning on buying a Tag online

I'm not sure why but I get the impression that you do not like Tag

because they are overpriced for what you get, but its your money.

Post by NewsBirdie
http://www.bacario.com/details.asp?ProductID=895&Sourceid=30451
It's the Kirium F1 and I haven't seen another watch like it.
Thanks for the info on resizing. I hope to get more information
because I'd really like to be able to do it myself. I'm a
do-it-yourselfer.

well if you are really serious in spending that sort money on a watch,
you would be better off going to a shop and buy it over the counter,
that way you can see what you are getting, you can make sure the item is
in good order before you plonk your money down, PLUS they will resize
the band to fit you, for free(and if they don't, go to another shop).

as for doing it yourself, fine if its a $150 Seiko, but on a $1500 watch
is best to leave to someone with right tools, if you damage the band you
will be paying for it because it will not be covered in warrantee, and
TAG bits are not cheap.

Mark South

2004-08-14 09:06:53 UTC

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm planning on buying a Tag online

Are you buying from an official dealer?

Ssee below.

Post by Moka Java
There are LOTS of fake Tag Heuers out there.

Lots of fakes of all kinds....

Post by Moka Java
Check Heuer's website to make sure your dealer is listed.

It's not. See below.

Post by Moka Java
There lots of motivation to make a fake Heuer -- it's a $10 -
$50 movement in a nice case that sells for $1,000+ in a fancy box. Some
of the fakes are quite good and even use the same cheap quartz movements
as the real Heuers.

I'm not sure why but I get the impression that you do not like Tag
Heuer watches! ;)

Watch enthusiasts are going to be keener on the details of what's in the watch
and less interested in its brand positioning.

Post by NewsBirdie
http://www.bacario.com/details.asp?ProductID=895&Sourceid=30451

The official site www.tagheuer.com lists three official retailers in Brooklyn.
Bacario is not one of them. TAG also say that they will not service a watch
under guarantee from a non-authorised source.

Post by NewsBirdie
It's the Kirium F1 and I haven't seen another watch like it.

Well, all the other Kiriums. See
http://www.tagheuer.com/watches/detail.lbl?case=serie
for more about them.

Post by NewsBirdie
Thanks for the info on resizing. I hope to get more information
because I'd really like to be able to do it myself. I'm a
do-it-yourselfer.

The proper tool for pushing bracelet pins is about $15 or so. Practice on a
cheap old watch bracelet first.

--
Mark South: World Citizen, Net Denizen

Bo Williams

2004-08-14 13:45:46 UTC

Post by Mark South
The official site www.tagheuer.com lists three official retailers in Brooklyn.
Bacario is not one of them. TAG also say that they will not service a watch
under guarantee from a non-authorised source.

I thought this was interestingly worded:

--begin included text--
Any watch that does not have its serial number or that is not
accompanied with the TAG Heuer Warranty Card remitted by the authorized
retailer at the time of purchase of the watch will not be recognized by
TAG Heuer or any of its service centers and therefore will not be
repaired properly.
--end included text--

That last bit sounds like yeah, they'll work on it, but they'll screw it
up for you. :)

I admit it's always been difficult for me to see the appeal of TAG
Heuer. But to each his own, I guess.

--
Bo Williams - ***@hiwaay.net
http://hiwaay.net/~williams/

Thore Karlsen

2004-08-14 14:25:13 UTC

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm planning on buying a Tag online

I'm not sure why but I get the impression that you do not like Tag
http://www.bacario.com/details.asp?ProductID=895&Sourceid=30451

That's a terrible price for that watch. You should be able to get it for
a much better price, with a valid manufacturer's warranty. (Not the
worthless warranty these people probably give you.)

And if I were you, I'd think about this some more.. That's a lot of
money for a quartz TAG. I'd let my emotions cool a little and then think
about it again, but that's just me. I just know when I first started
looking at buying a watch I was considering a TAG Kirium, but I ended up
buying something else. Today I'm really, really, really glad I didn't
buy it.

If you've been thinking about this nonstop for a long time and haven't
found any other watches that appeal to you, go for it, just make sure
it's really what you want. If you end up being more interested in
watches (and it seems like you might based on your posts here) I think
you'd be sorry if you bought this one.

--
Be seeing you.

NewsBirdie

2004-08-16 07:52:27 UTC

Post by Thore Karlsen

Post by NewsBirdie
http://www.bacario.com/details.asp?ProductID=895&Sourceid=30451

That's a terrible price for that watch. You should be able to get it for
a much better price, with a valid manufacturer's warranty. (Not the
worthless warranty these people probably give you.)

Can you suggest a better place? Last night I found Jomashop which has
it for $1300 but the Tag warranty doesn't apply, however Jomashop
offers a 2 year warranty. Chances of needing it are very slim in my
opinion.

-Michael

Moka Java

2004-08-14 14:38:00 UTC

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm planning on buying a Tag online

I'm not sure why but I get the impression that you do not like Tag

I don't have anything in particular against Tag Heuer watches. I just
don't see the point in spending $1000+ on a watch that has a $10 quartz
movement in a case the costs less than $50 to manufacture. While my
preference is for mechanical watches, I have nothing in particular
against quartz watches and own several.

In the beginning there was the Heuer watch company and they made really
cool chronographs, dive watches and stop watches. I used to drool over
them in the counter at Fortunoff's when I was a kid. These 30+ year old
watches are now sought after collectors items. Then, one day, Heuer
merged with Tag, a marketing/advertising company and sales took off.
Tag Heuers are fashion watches. Folks don't refer to them as "Heuers"
after the watch company but as "Tags" after the marketing company.

In another thread you asked if the Tag Heuer was worth the $. That's
for you to decide. If you like the watch and it will make you happy
then you should buy it. Do be careful that you are getting a genuine
product though. The fakes are very good and unless you are very
familiar with the watch you probably won't be able to tell. There's
lots of money to be made in the real ones, there's lots of money to be
made in the fakes. I've heard that 75% of Rolex watches are fake.
Assume the numbers for Tag Heuer are the same.

Post by NewsBirdie
http://www.bacario.com/details.asp?ProductID=895&Sourceid=30451
It's the Kirium F1 and I haven't seen another watch like it.

It's a nice watch. Not my choice for a $1500 watch but there's no
arguing taste.

Post by NewsBirdie
Thanks for the info on resizing. I hope to get more information
because I'd really like to be able to do it myself. I'm a
do-it-yourselfer.

Then do yourself a favor and buy a cheap watch or 2 and practice before
you scratch something expensive. Ebay is a good source for tools and
cheap watches to practice on.

Richard "saw a fake gold Rolex made out of real solid 18k gold" F

Thore Karlsen

2004-08-14 15:08:53 UTC

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm planning on buying a Tag online

I'm not sure why but I get the impression that you do not like Tag

TAG Heuer was actually a case study in a marketing book I used in
college. The example given was how TAG increased the price of the
watches dramatically without changing anything about the watches
themselves, and sales went up considerably. So the fact that they are
way overpriced is the reason they sell.

--
Be seeing you.

Norman Schwartz

2004-08-14 19:04:47 UTC

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm planning on buying a Tag online

I'm not sure why but I get the impression that you do not like Tag

I don't have anything in particular against Tag Heuer watches. I just
don't see the point in spending $1000+ on a watch that has a $10 quartz
movement in a case the costs less than $50 to manufacture. While my
preference is for mechanical watches, I have nothing in particular
against quartz watches and own several.
In the beginning there was the Heuer watch company and they made really
cool chronographs, dive watches and stop watches. I used to drool over
them in the counter at Fortunoff's when I was a kid. These 30+ year old
watches are now sought after collectors items. Then, one day, Heuer
merged with Tag, a marketing/advertising company and sales took off.
Tag Heuers are fashion watches. Folks don't refer to them as "Heuers"
after the watch company but as "Tags" after the marketing company.
In another thread you asked if the Tag Heuer was worth the $. That's
for you to decide. If you like the watch and it will make you happy
then you should buy it. Do be careful that you are getting a genuine
product though. The fakes are very good and unless you are very
familiar with the watch you probably won't be able to tell. There's
lots of money to be made in the real ones, there's lots of money to be
made in the fakes. I've heard that 75% of Rolex watches are fake.
Assume the numbers for Tag Heuer are the same.

Post by NewsBirdie
http://www.bacario.com/details.asp?ProductID=895&Sourceid=30451
It's the Kirium F1 and I haven't seen another watch like it.

It's a nice watch. Not my choice for a $1500 watch but there's no
arguing taste.

Several years ago I purchased a Breitling Aerospace with gold riders and
Titanium "Professional" bracelet sized from an authorized dealer for $1800
sales tax fee. If you establish a good over the counter business
relationship with a watchmaker or jeweler they will size your $150 "Seikos"
free of charge (as does mine).

NewsBirdie

2004-08-16 07:51:16 UTC

Post by Moka Java
I don't have anything in particular against Tag Heuer watches. I just
don't see the point in spending $1000+ on a watch that has a $10 quartz
movement in a case the costs less than $50 to manufacture. While my
preference is for mechanical watches, I have nothing in particular
against quartz watches and own several.

I hear this argument all the time. Yet I cannot find an
analog/digital quartz watch was attractive as the Kirium F1. I know
Brietlings have a great reputation, but personally I think their
aerospace models are ugly. My personal opinion, is for non-watch
enthusiasts who don't care what's inside, the Tags are some of the
most attractive watches. Rolex, Omega, etc. haven't catered to young
trendy buyers. Tag has, and that's smart business. But I'm not here
to debate Tag because a watch is an EXTREMELY personal choice!

Post by Moka Java
Tag Heuers are fashion watches. Folks don't refer to them as "Heuers"
after the watch company but as "Tags" after the marketing company.

Because it's the first part of the name and easier to say. ;)

Revision

2004-08-16 21:47:44 UTC

"NewsBirdie"

Post by NewsBirdie
is for non-watch
enthusiasts who don't care what's inside, the
Tags are some of the
most attractive watches.

Heh heh...well said.

Brian Talley

2004-08-14 20:06:05 UTC

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm planning on buying a Tag online

I'm not sure why but I get the impression that you do not like Tag

Oh, he's not alone on that.

Post by NewsBirdie
http://www.bacario.com/details.asp?ProductID=895&Sourceid=30451
It's the Kirium F1 and I haven't seen another watch like it.

GAAA!! That's a big honkin' chunk of change for a quartz watch!
I'm completely unimpressed. (Personally, there's no freakin' way
I'd pay more than a couple hundred for a quartz anything. To each
his own, I suppose.)

Have you taken a look at the Omega X-33? (Not my cup o' tea, but
it might intrigue you.)

Out of curiosity, do mechs not interest you at all?

Post by NewsBirdie
Thanks for the info on resizing. I hope to get more information
because I'd really like to be able to do it myself. I'm a
do-it-yourselfer.

Having paid $1500 for something I could very easily scratch and
mortally mung up, I would opt to have someone else do it. Like the
store from which I bought my very-overpriced watch, for example.

Good luck!

Brian

NewsBirdie

2004-08-16 07:54:54 UTC

Post by Brian Talley
Have you taken a look at the Omega X-33? (Not my cup o' tea, but
it might intrigue you.)

Yes, it's hideously ugly. Like I said, looks are a personal choice.
I'm not buying Tag because it's the best quality, simply my favorite
appearance.

Post by Brian Talley
Out of curiosity, do mechs not interest you at all?

No, because they require service every 3-5 years which is really
expensive. Also I haven't found analog/digital in mechanical, and I
really like the ana/dig.

thanks
Michael

Brian Talley

2004-08-16 14:56:05 UTC

Post by Brian Talley
Have you taken a look at the Omega X-33? (Not my cup o' tea, but
it might intrigue you.)

Yes, it's hideously ugly.

We're all entitled to our opinions. Given a choice, I'd go
with the Omega, but probably only because of its resale value.

Post by NewsBirdie
Like I said, looks are a personal choice.

Quite right.

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm not buying Tag because it's the best quality, simply my favorite
appearance.

Then buy your Kirium and be done with it. If you've had a look
around and chosen this model, why ask us?

Post by Brian Talley
Out of curiosity, do mechs not interest you at all?

No, because they require service every 3-5 years which is really
expensive.

Riiiiiight. Really expensive. $80 is what it costs me at a local
watchmaker's. Granted, that's considerably more than paying some
dim twit at a mall kiosk to replace a battery (and screw up the
seal and scratch the watch all to hell in the process). Different
models/brands bring different service costs, to be sure. But
you're about to drop $1500 on a watch, and $1300 of that (at least)
accounts for the cost of the logo. That ain't exactly chicken feed!

But if you like the Kirium, buy it. No worries. :-) Actually, I
think this is a good thing. Many people here ask about a watch that
will turn heads or be perceived as high-end by the drooling masses.
That you care more about how it appeals to YOU says good things
about you.

Post by NewsBirdie
Also I haven't found analog/digital in mechanical, and I
really like the ana/dig.

Well, it wouldn't surprise me if someone made a hybrid like you
describe (and my very failing memory seems to recall just such a
beastie).

Regards,

Brian

NewsBirdie

2004-08-16 20:04:49 UTC

Post by Brian Talley

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm not buying Tag because it's the best quality, simply my favorite
appearance.

Then buy your Kirium and be done with it. If you've had a look
around and chosen this model, why ask us?

If you check the thread, I was asking about resizing the band. As
usual, whenever someone mentions Tag they get responses directing them
to "real" watches like Omega, Breitling, Rolex, etc. ;)

-Michael

Brian Talley

2004-08-16 23:09:23 UTC

Post by Brian Talley

Post by NewsBirdie
I'm not buying Tag because it's the best quality, simply my favorite
appearance.

Then buy your Kirium and be done with it. If you've had a look
around and chosen this model, why ask us?

If you check the thread, I was asking about resizing the band. As
usual, whenever someone mentions Tag they get responses directing them
to "real" watches like Omega, Breitling, Rolex, etc. ;)

Yep, my bad. Sorry.

Moka Java

2004-08-17 03:17:10 UTC

NewsBirdie wrote:
As

Post by NewsBirdie
usual, whenever someone mentions Tag they get responses directing them
to "real" watches like Omega, Breitling, Rolex, etc. ;)

"As usual"? Howdaya know what's "usual"?

Troll smells like dead rat.

Richard "useta live'n Brooklyn" F

Frank Adam

2004-08-16 17:06:36 UTC