View single post by obsidian
 Posted: Sat Aug 18th, 2007 02:50 pm
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obsidian



Joined: Tue Jun 27th, 2006
Location: New York, New York USA
Posts: 122
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 In a post, less than a week ago, over on PMWF, I argued that the TAG HEUER Formula 1 chronos were nice looking, but overpriced for what they were, and that the TISSOT PRS 516 was a good alternative.

  ( http://www.pmwf.com/cgi-bin/Forum/webbbs_config.cgi?noframes;read=1281679 )

Well, an opportunity presented itself to get a TAG HEUER that was used as a display model for 55% off-- and I grabbed it (it turned out to be pristine!).

Below is a quick and messy comparison pic of the TAG HEUER F1 quartz chrono and my TISSOT PRS 516 quartz chrono:

CASE SIZE:
TISSOT: approx. 38mm X 51mm X 10.5mm with long curving lugs
TAG HEUER: approx. 41mm X 44mm X 12mm with short hooded lugs

MOVEMENT:
TISSOT: bog standard ETA G10
TAG HEUER: ETA G10, maybe they modifies it-- maybe they just breathed on it :P

WATER RESISTANCE:
TISSOT: 50M
TAG HEUER: 200M

CASE BACK:
TISSOT: press on, with racing wheel design
TAG HEUER: screw on, with Tag HEUER logo

CRYSTAL:
TISSOT: 31mm flat sapphire
TAG HEUER: 28mm flat sapphire

CROWN:
TISSOT non-screw down
TAG HEUER Titanium carbide coated screw down

BEZEL:
TISSOT: fixed PVDed steel bezel with pulsemeter/tachymeter scale
TAG HEUER: Titanium carbide coated steel unidirectional turning timing bezel

BRACELET:
TISSOT: Well built, cool, unique, rally style, with good quality 2 button butterfly clasp that unfortunately can pop open unexpectedly if one of the buttons is pressed unintentionally.
TAG HEUER: unremarkable diver style, with thicker links than Tissot, yet feels lighter; clasp feels like tinny sheet metal, has diver's extension and is double locking-- not going to pop open on you.

FINISH:
TISSOT: combo of brushed and polished surfaces
TAG HEUER: all brushed

OVERALL:
TISSOT gives the impression of a dressy sports watch and has a heavier, more substantial feel (it definitely is heavier).
TAG HEUER gives the impression of a more tool-like hybrid racing/diver style sports watch (it may be lighter in weight-- but the specs show it's definitely more rugged).

If you were to hand these to a non-WIS who was totally unaware of TAG HEUER as an expensive brand, they would probably think the TISSOT was the more expensive watch.

Attachment: Tissot vs Tag 01 med_post.JPG (Downloaded 80 times)