MetalMickey 179 Posted December 19, 2014 Well, what a journey. I initially joined the rep world after years of collecting not to buy a Submariner, like everyone else, but in order to decide which high end gen watch to save up and buy for my 40th (which is in 3 years' time). I had my shortlist down the the Tudor Black Bay, Tudor Pelagos or maybe, at a stretch, a Ceramic Submariner. And I started collecting reps of those, and a few others that caught my fancy. Then, out of the blue, I picked up from M2M a rep of the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer 500m ceramic, on rubber. It was love at first sight, as it had a mix of the features I liked from the Pelagos (500m, bigger case), Black Bay (classy look, not a Rolex), and Submariner (black ceramic bezel). It also seems to avoid all the downsides of the three candidates (Pelagos titanium is a bit light, the Black Bay is a bit fussy with gold dial and silver pearl) and the Rolex has the cyclops. Best of all, these things are currently on sale at Beaverbrooks for the same price as the ordinary 300m Aquaracer. So I sold off most of my reps, and most of my gens, and dropped my savings on this beast... My first thoughts are... * The bracelet end links were a bit stiff at first, the bracelet on my (rep) Black Bay feels more expensive. I expect it to wear in soon. * Trying to adjust a TAG collar and pin bracelet yourself to save a trip into town is false economy. Removing links is a major pain in the arse. * Gens have lume! But the overriding thought is this - the rep of this watch is very, very, very good. I mean almost indistinguishable. I have already sold my rep on, but the following differences are all I can see having handled both: * The HEV works and you can see it is not just stuck on. It does not appear to unscrew on the gen. * Bezel numbers are slightly better defined and silver paint is a bit sparklier * The very ends of the bar details on the dial look slightly better finished * The Pearl is very slightly recessed on the gen, slightly pronounced on the rep * The gen lume is better and more natural looking Rep: Gen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MetalMickey 179 Posted December 19, 2014 Thanks Greg! Now to save for that blue bezel Black Bay... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RichardMiami 4 Posted December 19, 2014 Wear it in good health Mickey! Now start the cycle all over again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pseudonym 0 Posted December 19, 2014 Lovely watch mate. Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted December 19, 2014 Looks very very nice! I have a gen aquaracer but its the old one.. And Quartz... And not ceramic.. the new ones are soooo much better Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MetalMickey 179 Posted December 19, 2014 Looks very very nice! I have a gen aquaracer but its the old one.. And Quartz... And not ceramic.. the new ones are soooo much better Like this one? Me too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonnybaws 5,280 Posted December 19, 2014 Congrats on the pickup, great looking watch!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted December 19, 2014 Looks very very nice! I have a gen aquaracer but its the old one.. And Quartz... And not ceramic.. the new ones are soooo much better Like this one? Me too! I think it's slightly newer than that one although with all the abuse it has had it looks older Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pob 73 Posted December 19, 2014 Very nice, congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HWG 11 Posted December 19, 2014 great looking piece! Enjoy it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plankton 1 Posted December 19, 2014 Well, what a journey. I initially joined the rep world after years of collecting not to buy a Submariner, like everyone else, but in order to decide which high end gen watch to save up and buy for my 40th (which is in 3 years' time). I had my shortlist down the the Tudor Black Bay, Tudor Pelagos or maybe, at a stretch, a Ceramic Submariner. And I started collecting reps of those, and a few others that caught my fancy. Then, out of the blue, I picked up from M2M a rep of the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer 500m ceramic, on rubber. It was love at first sight, as it had a mix of the features I liked from the Pelagos (500m, bigger case), Black Bay (classy look, not a Rolex), and Submariner (black ceramic bezel). It also seems to avoid all the downsides of the three candidates (Pelagos titanium is a bit light, the Black Bay is a bit fussy with gold dial and silver pearl) and the Rolex has the cyclops. Best of all, these things are currently on sale at Beaverbrooks for the same price as the ordinary 300m Aquaracer. So I sold off most of my reps, and most of my gens, and dropped my savings on this beast... My first thoughts are... * The bracelet end links were a bit stiff at first, the bracelet on my (rep) Black Bay feels more expensive. I expect it to wear in soon. * Trying to adjust a TAG collar and pin bracelet yourself to save a trip into town is false economy. Removing links is a major pain in the arse. * Gens have lume! But the overriding thought is this - the rep of this watch is very, very, very good. I mean almost indistinguishable. I have already sold my rep on, but the following differences are all I can see having handled both: * The HEV works and you can see it is not just stuck on. It does not appear to unscrew on the gen. * Bezel numbers are slightly better defined and silver paint is a bit sparklier * The very ends of the bar details on the dial look slightly better finished * The Pearl is very slightly recessed on the gen, slightly pronounced on the rep * The gen lume is better and more natural looking Rep: Gen Congratulations to you!! what a nice watch you have, and the longevity with accuracy will be there for eons... The finish is incredible I'd bet (from AR to all the markers and all the stuff between). I am very happy for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baxter 6 Posted December 19, 2014 That's a really nice classy looking piece right there mate, nothing to dislike and everything to like .... great buy - enjoy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfcdre 0 Posted December 19, 2014 nice pick up mate. my aquagraph says hi and congrats, damn fine dive watches. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted December 19, 2014 Nothing wrong with Tag Heuer mate, I'm a self confessed TH enthusiast What a journey, and you arrived with a stunner Mickey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MetalMickey 179 Posted December 19, 2014 Lume is almost as good as a Seiko. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n18lld 672 Posted December 19, 2014 Very nice. One of the few gens I'd consider. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gazzla 23 Posted December 19, 2014 Well done mate. Enjoy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paparolf 45 Posted December 19, 2014 Always great to buy something you really want. Congrats on a cracking looking watch mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hornet 1 Posted December 19, 2014 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Congratulations!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: It looks a real beauty and I have to say that I'm getting a bit of a thing for Tags at the moment.....! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UmpaHimself 222 Posted December 19, 2014 Love the bezel and the stand alone pearl (no triangle). Reminds me of the new Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial. Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icemix69 4 Posted December 19, 2014 Rep pics will be uploaded later, so we can all see how great the rep really is Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mwhitetx 0 Posted December 19, 2014 Love this watch. Great pick up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Not That Rich 21 Posted December 19, 2014 Very nice Mickey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
