Actually, likely not much different any more...
I don't want to share too much personal info, but I am a rather "avid" collector of vintage wristwatches... I own a few hundred of them which I rotate periodically so I wear every one I own. The most modern watch I own came out in about 1980...so when it comes to specific new models I am rather useless. That said, in general, I know that vintage IWC watches were much better than TAG... all else being equeal, that is. If both are mechanical watches, then they both likely use a very similar ETA movement... though Tag does still use a few other movements inferior to the ETA movements as well as some quartz movements. IF either movement is a quartz... then I'd suggest avoiding it all together and look for a REAL watch instead. (And please do understand that when it commes to quality modern mechanical watches, the majority of all makers use proprietary variations of the SAME basic ETA movements... perhaps one of the BIG reasons that I like my watches from 1910 to 1960.)
UPDATE: I just noticed that this TAG mentions on the dial that it has a Caliber 1887 movement. If memory serves, thsi is because the Swatch group (which owns ETA and many watch brands) has stopped shipping as many movements to many makers -- including Tag. Therefore, the Cal 1887 is a customized version of the Japanese Seiko movement. While Seiko movements are okay, for $3000+ I would MUCH rather have a ETA Valjoux movement because I know that EVERYONE can fix it and locate parts if they are needed in 20 years. That said, I know that some people LOVE this Tag-customized Seiko movement... and might also say that the ETA ebouche movements are not as good as this movement. Frankly, the original 1960s Tag Carreras came with an original 3 dial Valjoux (ETA) movement... so I imagine that the modern movements were held back for a reason. IF you like this look, I'd suggest that you look for a vintage Tag Carrera with the Valjoux movement.
For more info on IWC and their movements, please see:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f35 ... plained-256887.html
For more info on the Tag movements used:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f25/tag-movements-217172.html
[ Last edited by heymikey at 3-9-2013 11:25 ] | |
