Are Omega becoming the new Tag?

**Hugh Janus** · 21st March 2008, 22:40

I've been pondering this for a short while :albino:

I think Omega are fast becoming the new Tag, you know... when people aspire to own a status symbol, but can't quite afford the "proper" status symbols eg, Rolex etc, but can get together a grand and need something that the masses will recognise :lol:

flame suit on and waiting for the heat to arrive :P

**doug darter** · 21st March 2008, 23:33

I don't necessarily think that they are becoming the new TAG, it's more a case of TAG realigning itself in the market, almost becoming the new Omega.

TAG seem to have improved their QC, and with some handsome new and aspirational models, and a move away from what was once a predominently quartz range, they seem to be having some success.

A few years ago, I wouldn't really have wanted any of the watches in the TAG range, but there are one or two that might tempt me.

Watches for most people are either a necessity, or a purchase driven by what they perceive to be fashionable. Those who are not WIS or watch aware will buy the one that attracts them most, which is still, at least I'm pretty certain is still, Omega, because of their reputation and history. They once would probably have bought TAG, because of the price advantage, but now that TAG has started to trade on quality again rather than fashion, their prices have risen to Omega level, and potential buyers faced with the choice of similar models at similar prices have started to go for Omega instead.

**Hugh Janus** · 22nd March 2008, 00:01

I remember back in the 90's when everybody aspired to a Tag F1, it was a status symbol to have a TAG on your wrist whilst you went down your local Ritzys night club :shock: stinking of Kouros aftershave, with your girlfriend called Tracey

Now that people generally earn more, they want status symbols that match their earnings and seem to go for Omegas, they can't quite afford the next step up of Rolex, Breitling, IWC etc... but still want a watch to flash around down the pub, a watch that makes them look king ding-a-ling for being able to spend a few hundred (maybe even over the magical 1k mark, bigger bragging rights if they hit the "thousands" bracket) on a watch

I would happily wear a watch that cost a few pounds, it's not the price that attracts me 100% to a watch (although, if i'm being honest, the price usually does has something to do with it... i'll admit to liking status symbols, most people do, but you'd be hard pressed to find people willing to be honest about it like me...especially on internet forums) .... i just can't get past the watch brands that are bought by poor people who've managed to coble together some money for their one big status symbol and shove it under the nose of everybody who'll look at it, and these people tend to go for Omegas these days

**aliasrichmond** · 22nd March 2008, 00:14

Slightly OT, why dont Tag Heuer drop the "Tag".....plain "Heuer" has far more kudos in my opinion, TH always brings to mind the cheap looking offerings from the 80/90's
I sent my early 80's Heuer 2000 desk diver away many moons ago for a battery change & re-seal, they called me and asked if I'd like a new Tag Heuer dial fitted for free....I politely declined

**Baden H** · 22nd March 2008, 00:39

I dont think that Omega need to reinvent there past to give themselves a future , I am getting so so tired of retro tag's :evil: why not spend a few quid extra and buy an original heuer?????

Take and old seamaster 300 and the shape of the modern seamaster/ planet ocean it still has the same classic case design.
My personal favorite is the speedmaster virtually unchanged for 50 years apart from a movement change 30 years ago. :lol:

I just wish that omega would refrane from 007 limited editions 8)

It's odd that it wasn't that long ago there was a thread entitled is Omega becoming the new Rolex?

**dogpuf** · 22nd March 2008, 00:44

I think the new batch of Omegas are almost as expensive as the Breitlings, Rolexs

I think this Topic is about 2-3 years out of date because before the Planet ocean and the new Coaxial range you could get a SMP Quartz or Auto for £800 or £1000 respectively which is Tag Money. Omega have moved on and upwards.

I myself after initially lusted after Omega, Rolex, Breitling watches, but now after owning/wearing them realise that most people don't give a monkey's chuff what you have on you wrist and the rest think its a Fake

I have moved over to more WIS appreiciated watches such a Sinn, Tutima, Marcello C, IWC, Temption, UTS, etc. watches that Joe public don't really have any appreciation of, but the wearer does! which to me is the important thing :albino:

**W. C. Bartlett** · 22nd March 2008, 01:28

Other than the Aquagraph, we really cannot compare TAG product line to Omega's.

**leon** · 22nd March 2008, 01:28

I have a newish Tag Heuer and its a rather nice watch.....

**John Vargas** · 22nd March 2008, 03:28

I do not think Tag and Omega will ever “meet on the level” so to speak.

Omega has come out with some really good watches in the last few years. Some of their watches have Piguet Movements in them.

I do not think Tag will ever put anything of that quality in their watches.

Prior to the merger of Tag and Heuer, Heuer held a high place in “ranking”. It was the first watch the US used on an EVA Mission.