Tag Heuer Logo Change

Earlier this year, Tag Heuer introduced a revised logo onto their watches. The change is fairly subtle and may have gone un-noticed by most. The change concerns the word TAG and the new logo is shown above, the outgoing version is shown below.

The outgoing TAG Heuer logo.

Without delving too deeply into the brand's history, TAG was added to the original Heuer logo following a buy-out by Techniques d'Avant Garde in the mid 1980s. This TAG logo was familiar to motor racing enthusiasts who would have seen it on Formula 1 cars including Williams and McLaren in the 1980s as the company was a supplier of engine components.

A Williams F1 car with TAG branding.

TAG's connection to motor racing combined with Heuer's established record of timekeeping in the sport meant that the brand oozed motor racing heritage more than any other, an element which has been mildly diluted by the latest logo change under current parent company, LVMH.

The original Heuer logo is still used on special edition watches which are released now and again and these are generally quite sought after. Vintage watches bearing the old logo are now highly collectable and their higher values are reflected at auction.

The latest logo change may be something of a disappointment for long-term supporters of the brand but it may result in added value to watches sporting the discontinued branding, something of a bonus for watch owners and something that collectors will be most likely be keeping an eye on.

A Carrera Calibre CH80 Chronograph with discontinued logo.

Seiko SKX009 Diver (All Is Lost)

I enjoy looking out for watches in movies and  recently watched a film called All Is Lost starring Robert Redford. It's a survival story of a sailor stranded at sea and is unusual in that there is no dialogue as he's all alone. It didn't take long for me to notice the watch on his right hand and after a quick search online, found that it was in fact a Seiko SKX009. It's a classic diver from Seiko with 20 bar water resistance and the crown comfortably located between 3 and 4 o'clock. The movement is automatic and features day and date apertures at 3 o'clock. The bezel is the 'Pepsi' red and blue variety which has been familiar on Seiko watches for decades.

This watch is normally available for sale with a Jubilee steel bracelet or diver's strap but in the movie, Redford wears it on a black (or possibly dark blue) Nato strap. Prices in the UK range between £190 and £220 from online retailers at the time of writing, depending on the type of strap selected and the watch is widely available.

Casio MTD-1080

The Casio MTD-1080 is one of those remarkable, budget heroes that only come along every so often. I have had my eye on one for about a year or so but only last week sprung into action to buy one when I read that the model has now been discontinued. Casio have a bad habit of discontinuing popular designs so it's advisable to pounce on any desirable model before it's too late.

At £49 (on sale) this watch represents exceptional value and the quality of it is comparable to timepieces that are ten times the value or more. The design is a contemporary take on the traditional diving watch and at a glance, looks immediately familiar. The 43mm steel case is reassuringly weighty and brushed on the top with a high polish on the sides. The standard lugs offer the opportunity to replace the strap with a variety of third party options. This particular model is fitted with a plastic diver strap which is very comfortable and feels like a quality piece. Casio straps often feel cheap and nasty but this one is a pleasant surprise. The uni-directional bezel is made of a hard plastic and rotates crisply and securely on the ratchet. Probably the most unique element of the design is the unusual bevelling on the bezel which creates a hexagonal geometry and creates a subtle, modern variation on a classic theme.

Shown above are the two other colour variations of the same model.

The watch is waterproof to 10 bar or 100m so is not a genuine diver but should serve well for most other water sports. The crown does not screw down and only presses into place after time adjustment. Powering the watch is a deadly accurate quartz movement which drives arrow-headed minute and hour hands and a centre second hand. The hour graduations are a combination of luminous, circle and batten markers with minute and sub-minute graduations printed onto the face. Day and date apertures are at 3 o'clock and the watch features light illumination by way of two, blue LED lights which are activated by the push button at 2 o'clock. This is an unusual feature for an analogue watch but a very welcomed one.

For those who like watches based on the classic diver template, this piece comes highly recommended. With day, date, water resistance, luminous markers and a night light, this watch is close to perfect and will look good with a wetsuit or dress suit. As these are now discontinued models, it's unfortunately a seller's market and some examples are as much as double the normal retail price on Ebay at the time of writing. Something to look forward to will be Casio's replacement for this watch which will hopefully fill a similar price range in the market and offer a similar level of high quality.

Autodromo Group B

For anyone who followed motor racing in the early 80's, the term 'Group B' evokes memories of rally cars like the original Audi Quattro, the Lancia Delta Integrale and the Lancia Stratos. The Group B phase of rallying was probably the last romantic era of the sport which had to be brought to a close because the cars were simply too powerful to be safe.

Watchmakers Autodromo have been capturing attention recently with their motor sport inspired watches at very reasonable prices. Their latest offering is the Group B model which, like their other models, does a fantastic job in capturing the spirit of motor sport, especially this very special era of rallying in the early 80's.

The Group B is powered by a Miyota 9015 automatic movement which is housed in a 39mm titanium case. 39mm may sound a little small by today's watch sizes, but the reality is that it's probably the perfect size for most wrists. The watch is available with white, red, blue or yellow face markings and hands with matching nylon straps which have been designed in the style of racing harnesses. This design feature could have cheapened the concept if it had been done badly, but in this case it's absolutely perfect with just enough subtle detail to carry the theme for those who appreciate it. Each watch also comes with a grey nylon strap. Water resistance is to 50m (5 ATM) and all models have a sapphire crystal. 

Somehow Autodromo have managed to capture a variety of design elements from the 1980's, it's almost as if the the design has originated from a company like Lancia or Audi. The price is $925 which is incredible value for a watch of this style and quality and orders can be made directly off the Autodromo website. 

Leatherman Tread

Now and again, an exceptional piece of engineering is developed and the Leatherman Tread is one of those. The term 'wearable' has become a noun over the past few years as tech companies develop what are either elaborate heart rate monitors or miniature smart phones in the form of wrist watches. As fascinating as these gadgets are, they're still far from being complete, functional products. The Leatherman Tread is a genuine wearable tool who's main purpose is mechanical functionality rather than electronic entertainment. 

The Tread is a bracelet made up of a variety of popular tools and the interchangeable links allow the owner to customise the content. It's available to buy as a stand-alone bracelet or with an optional watch which is the perfect addition to this already perfect tool. It's a Swiss-made quartz watch with sapphire crystal and rotating bezel for timekeeping. Water resistance is to 200m. The usual Leatherman quality is evident in the manufacturing 

The Tread is available in black or regular stainless steel. At the time of writing, bracelets are on sale for $175 in the US but there is no sign yet of the watch attachment on the retail market, let's hope it's not just a teaser. 

As a second prize option, Leatherman also sell the Clipwatch (shown below) for around $90, but it's still not a wrist watch and it's not a multi-tool. 

The Leatherman Tread has already made it onto this writer's Christmas list, and if it can't this year through lack of availability of the watch attachment, then next year is fine by me. Here are a couple of videos showing off the product. 

Omega Seamaster 300 James Bond 'Spectre'

To coincide with the launch of the new James Bond film, Omega have realease a 'Spectre' version of the Seamaster 300. Omega's James Bond editions have often been a bit cheesy in years gone by, but this time they've offered a refined and good-looking watch without any obvious 007 references. 

The watch features a black ceramic bi-directional bezel with hourly divisions which can be used for keeping time for a second time zone. It's not quite a full GMT watch as it doesn't have a 24 hour hand and neither does it have a date, and for those reasons it's probably not a serious challenger to the Rolex GMT Master. A unique feature of this model is the lollipop second hand which is different to the usual arrow head featured on other Seamasters. 

The watch comes fitted with a five-stripe NATO strap, giving it a 1960's look. NATO straps have made a comeback in the last few years and Omega are one of the last major manufacturers to join this particular party. Leather and steel straps are also available as alternatives but the NATO strap sets it apart from other modern Seamaster models. The sapphire crystal is domed in a vintage style and the hands and hour markers are coated with a Super-Luminova which has been coloured to look like yellowed Radium or Tritium. The Super-Luminova emits a blue glow in dark conditions. 

Water resistance is to 30 bar or 300 metres and the case diameter is a very sensible 41mm. The movement is Omega's self-winding 8400 caliber with a 60 hour power reserve. With a launch price of £4785 it's eye wateringly expensive, especially as it doesn't have a 24 hour hand or calendar. Part of the appeal is that the watch is limited to 7007 pieces, but the same money could buy something far more special or unique. That said, this is a very well designed watch with classic proportions and subtle vintage references. Unlike other contemporary Omega models, this one is likely not to date as tastes evolve and unlike previous 007 editions will probably become a genuine collectible. 

Oris Divers Sixty Five

New in 2015 is this beautiful revival of Oris' iconic 1960's design which first appeared 50 years ago. The new watch shares the retro looks of the original but has been increased in size from a case size of 36mm to a more contemporary (but not too large) 40mm.

The scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal adds to the vintage appeal as does the water resistance of 100m. Oris must have been tempted to take the water resistance up to a more modern 200m or 300m but that would have required a far more robust crystal and would have added unnecessarily to the cost. This model seems to be mostly about faithfully honouring the original design and Oris have succeeded there. 

The original Tritium-filled hands and indices have now been replaced with Super-Luminova and very cleverly, a yellowed Radium colour has been used to give a vintage aesthetic of radioactive substances used in the past. The plastic 'Tropic Design' strap also adds to the 60's feel of the watch but may not be to everyone's taste. Seeing as conventional lugs have been used (not often the case with Oris), the strap is easily swapped with a generic replacement. A shark mesh bracelet would have been this writer's first choice for this design. 

With the price at EUR 1600 at the time of release, Oris have done well to produce something this special without adding too much to the cost. Compromises have been made in all the right places to keep costs down and to release a faithful reproduction of a vintage classic with all the benefits of modern watchmaking.