Why this watch
Recently, I've acquired a preowned Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 version 2. Yes, I've waited years reading about 3 different versions of the Carrera Calibre 1887 before I can afford it these days being the version 2 of its lifecycle, although a preowned one. Still very happy about this watch and I consider it as my first "serious" watch.
![15959623]( "15959623")
I'm always a fan of chronograph watches. My first chrono quartz watch I bought with my first internship salary was Casio Edifice EF-509 - good looking rectangle case.
Regardless of the thickness of about 16mm and my skinny wrist (about 6.2"), I managed to wear this Carrera above my wrist bone on a leather strap or a sailcloth strap. As a 17-year long watch lover, I've developed the skill to avoid door knocks or wall banging. So far so good.
I'm also obsessed about watch accuracy. All of my mechanical (including automatic) watches. Because I could not measure the accuracy on the spot while meeting up the preowner of the watch, bringing it home and measuring its accuracy the next day always gives me the excitement (I guess it's actually "anxiety").
Speaking of the history of this particular Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 v2: purchased from Tag Heuer boutique in 2011, rarely worn, may be kept in the drawer for 7 years, the original leather strap is in mint condition, both crystals are spotless, a bit misaligned chrono second hand, and guess what: NEVER BEEN SERVICED in the last 10 years! If it wasn't an incredibly good deal, I might have passed it. I don't regret that I bought it that day
The watch is still keeping good time. I've read a lot on the internet and on WUS as well, that the common service interval for automatic watches is around 3-5 years, not matter how frequently it's worn. Rolex announces that their movement can last 10 years between the services. I don't think Calibre 1887 can be on that level, particularly this watch sitting still in 7 years.
Result
How do I track the watch accuracy? I've done it oldschool way. I wrote down the difference between my watch time and my iMac clock everyday (which is said to be around 0.02s - 0.2s different with an atomic clock). Here's the results I've tracked recently:
Except for a day that I did not wear and wind it properly that results in -5.9spd, I think my Calibre 1887 is performing very well, if not saying very close to the lower end of the COSC standard (-4/+6 spd). I have nothing to complain about this 10-year-old non-serviced Carrera.
One more thing I've learnt about Tag Heuer service (need more proof, guys): for non-COSC watches, you'll more likely end up with a much less accurate watch after you pick it up from official Tag Heuer service. Don't be surprised if your Tag runs +8/+20 spd, and the technician in the store doesn't seem to be able to do anything about it. It's considered as "tolerable accuracy" for all non-chronometer watches sold by Tag Heuer. With that saying, I'll rather see my watch completely stop running before bring it to the service. Haha j/k.
Recently, I've acquired a preowned Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 version 2. Yes, I've waited years reading about 3 different versions of the Carrera Calibre 1887 before I can afford it these days being the version 2 of its lifecycle, although a preowned one. Still very happy about this watch and I consider it as my first "serious" watch.
I'm always a fan of chronograph watches. My first chrono quartz watch I bought with my first internship salary was Casio Edifice EF-509 - good looking rectangle case.
Regardless of the thickness of about 16mm and my skinny wrist (about 6.2"), I managed to wear this Carrera above my wrist bone on a leather strap or a sailcloth strap. As a 17-year long watch lover, I've developed the skill to avoid door knocks or wall banging. So far so good.
I'm also obsessed about watch accuracy. All of my mechanical (including automatic) watches. Because I could not measure the accuracy on the spot while meeting up the preowner of the watch, bringing it home and measuring its accuracy the next day always gives me the excitement (I guess it's actually "anxiety").
Speaking of the history of this particular Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 v2: purchased from Tag Heuer boutique in 2011, rarely worn, may be kept in the drawer for 7 years, the original leather strap is in mint condition, both crystals are spotless, a bit misaligned chrono second hand, and guess what: NEVER BEEN SERVICED in the last 10 years! If it wasn't an incredibly good deal, I might have passed it. I don't regret that I bought it that day
The watch is still keeping good time. I've read a lot on the internet and on WUS as well, that the common service interval for automatic watches is around 3-5 years, not matter how frequently it's worn. Rolex announces that their movement can last 10 years between the services. I don't think Calibre 1887 can be on that level, particularly this watch sitting still in 7 years.
Result
How do I track the watch accuracy? I've done it oldschool way. I wrote down the difference between my watch time and my iMac clock everyday (which is said to be around 0.02s - 0.2s different with an atomic clock). Here's the results I've tracked recently:
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Except for a day that I did not wear and wind it properly that results in -5.9spd, I think my Calibre 1887 is performing very well, if not saying very close to the lower end of the COSC standard (-4/+6 spd). I have nothing to complain about this 10-year-old non-serviced Carrera.
One more thing I've learnt about Tag Heuer service (need more proof, guys): for non-COSC watches, you'll more likely end up with a much less accurate watch after you pick it up from official Tag Heuer service. Don't be surprised if your Tag runs +8/+20 spd, and the technician in the store doesn't seem to be able to do anything about it. It's considered as "tolerable accuracy" for all non-chronometer watches sold by Tag Heuer. With that saying, I'll rather see my watch completely stop running before bring it to the service. Haha j/k.
