In my haste and enthusiasm to provide context for my idea's and thoughts I threw concise and brevity straight out the window.
So for the sake of time and J-CB I present...
Chuck REBOOTED: The Concise version!
J-CB, It is awesome that you have opened the doors and are communicating directly with some of TAG-Heuer's biggest fans. I hope that we all are providing good feedback for you...
I have four specific ideas and a more general one [with some I agree with's at the end]...
Idea Number One: An El-Primero based Carrera Re-Edition.
The 1964 Heuer Carrera [Lemania 1873] Re-Edition is very popular amongst collectors and is a model that people seek out my assistance in locating quite frequently. I believe an El-Primero based model [either Automatic or manual wind version or both] would be very popular.
Idea Number Two: A Re-Edition based on the old Heuer Pasadena case style, 7750 powered.
This 1980's watch would translate and sell well in today's market. It's case style looks very modern to this day, updated with a Sapphire crystal I am confident it would sell well and require little effort on TAG-Heuer's part if the original tooling for the case still exists. I suggested some race track names as possibilities for it's "Rebooting" in the Classics line: Fontana, Sonoma, Laguna Seca [or just Laguna], Phoenix and Pocono...
Idea Number Three: Autavia 12 Re-Edition based on the El-Primero aimed at the moonwatch.
- Back in the day, the Heuer Autavia 12 [above, in Valjoux 72 trim] was a natural competitor for the moonwatch [as shown below]:
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A modern version of the Autavia 12 with an El-Primero base [either in automatic or HW versions] would be popular with both Vintage Heuer fans and Omega Speedmaster Owners looking for a similar [but not too similar watch] to their Moonwatch.
Idea number Four: A El-Primero based Chrono to compete head to head with Rolex Daytona.
The Rolex Daytona is one of the more avidly sought chronographs on the market... [How many watches have a one, two or three year waiting list?] TAG-Heuer is uniquely situated to produce a chronograph in the spirit of the Daytona using as it's base movement a movement which was used in the Daytona for many years.
There are all sorts of variations in style which one could choose to emulate. Talladega would an appropriate name for this model.
Additional ideas/Thoughts: Bring back the "Race Track/Circuit" model naming scheme... NASCAR is at a height of popularity here in the USA among both men and women. Some of the track names [Charlotte, Darlington for example] might even be appropriate names for Ladies models. I'm sure there are many other circuits in the world which could be marketable names for various watch models.
Alistair brought up the subject of PVD coated watches produced for the Military/Police markets...
I think that's a smashing idea... Black, Olive and/or Khaki PVD bracelets, cases and dials with optional nylon or canvas straps.
[Please ignore my el-cheapo Lucien Picot in the foreground, although a 7750 GMT based chronograph in PVD with a more appropriate dial color might sell too!]
In summary...
My apologies for the length and complexity of my initial post. I hope this post is much more to the point and easier to follow.
We here are passionate and enthusiastic about TAG-Heuer's heritage and the opportunities the firm has moving forward. I'm sure there are more ideas where these came from!
Thank you once again for taking the time to post here, read our thoughts and respond. This is a very rare and unique opportunity in the community.
Cheers and Best of Fortune in the days and years ahead!
Sincerely,
