So I have inherited a ‘74 Silverstone from my late Father. There’s a bit of a back-story to the watch which means that it does not hold any sentimental value to me and is why I will be looking to move it on. However, before I do, I thought I should put it up on here for you all to enjoy first!
I’m UK-based and grateful if anyone knows of any specialists who may be interested in this and the best ways to find a new owner!!
When getting into my watch addiction, I never really considered Tag Heuer as a brand I was interested in. The majority of the models, whether it was the carrera, or Monaco, or other aquaracers, didn’t grab my attention. One day, while checking out a boutique that had recently opened in my area, I saw this “special edition” dial, and KNEW that I had to have it. The fade / gradient of blue is honestly one of the prettiest dials I’ve seen in person. Definitely gets a crap tone of wrist time during the summer, especially because I find myself swimming almost every week!
Hello there watch bro's,
I rly like this F1 quartz, I have a chance to buy it locally, a lot cheaper than MSRP.
But as far as I know, there are a lot of rly good reps of this & similar models around, even with the same swiss movement as the original.
Can anyone share pictures from the original watch/movement? Is movement held by a plastic spacer from the case?
It has been a loooooong hunt, but I was able to track down the mother of all military watches. During the 60s and early 70s, Heuer produced tool watches for German military (Bundeswehr) pilots and infantry. All Heuer Bund references use the workhorse Val. 230 movement, however, what separates the Sternzeit Reguliert variant (1551SGSZ) from the rest of the Bund chronograph family was that it wasn’t just a watch for measuring elapsed time, it was regulated to sidereal time, a time scale based on the Earth’s rotation relative to the stars rather than the Sun. A crash course in sidereal time: imagine you're in space looking directly at the earth from its axis. To you, it would take 23 hours and 56 minutes to rotate 360 degrees - the additional 4 minutes that we experience in a day is that small extra rotation the earth needs to travel to face back to the sun as it travels along its ecliptic path.
The Sternzeit Reguliert version served a scientific purpose for artillery troops. By keeping sidereal time, artillery officers could make precise celestial observations and calculate true north when paired with an instrument called a theodolite - a critical capability before digital navigation systems and satellites. I have to that I'm not engineering-minded, so my attempt at understanding how a theodolite works in astronomical navigation with a 5-min youtube video was a failure. Supposedly (because I have yet to confirm), the Bundeswehr requested this version of the Bund chronograph so that in the event of nuclear war, which could cripple the country's navigation infrastructure, it could still use "analog" tools like watches and theodolites for accurate munitions strategy.
What makes some examples truly exceptional isn’t just the watch itself, but the complete Bundeswehr kit that originally came with it. According to one prolific German Heuer collector, the German military and government used to sell their unused and leftover equipment directly to civilians. This collector was able to secure a handful of Bund 1551SGSZ with the kit that Heuer originally provided with the watch. Sidenote: this collector also secured a prototype automatic version of the 1551SGSZ which used the Heuer Cal. 12 movement found in the infamous Monaco. Sadly, he wouldn't sell it to me :-(
Full sets of the 1551SGSZ are exceedingly rare - less than an estimated 30 are still in existence - and reveal the watch’s original function as part of a field astronomical navigation system rather than just a wristwatch. I've been searching for one that includes the full kit for two years, and was finally able to track one down.
The Bundeswehr SGSZ set includes:
* Leather document pouch stamped with Bundeswehr inventory numbers, designed to hold the entire kit.
* Supply distribution sheet showing official issuance to artillery units.
* Astronomical Yearbook - a military edition containing sidereal conversion tables, star positions, and related data.
* Instruction manuals for using a theodolite with the sidereal chronograph for celestial navigation.
* Star finder wheel and slide rule - tools to help compute celestial positions and azimuths.
* Protective glasses (and equipment case) used during night observations.
Each component was designed to work with the Sternzeit Reguliert chronograph in practical artillery field use.
I plan on writing a more complete history of the 1551SGSZ at some point. There is no dearth of short articles online, and even a page in the "Heuer Chronograph bible" by Arno Haslinger, but there is quite a bit I have learned through conversation that needs to be documented.
A little back story for anyone that saw my first post. When I was younger, maybe 9-10 years old, I remember always going into Lee Micheal’s with my parents (because that’s were they purchased all my moms jewelry) and I remember looking at the tag watch case thinking about how I was going to get one when I was grown up. Well as I grew up all I wore was Apple Watches… until I had my son. I realized that even when I set my phone down I never really gave anything my full attention because all of my notifications were on my wrist. I set out to buy my first watch and ended up purchasing a seiko srpd55. The tag heuer price brand new just wasn’t something I could talk myself into purchasing. Then boom walking around an old antique sell I ran across this beauty. Turns out 2010 when this watch was sitting in Lee Micheal’s brand new was the same exact time I was standing there as a little 9 year old boy looking in that case. Full circle moment that makes this watch a little more than just a watch. Excited to pass it down to my little man one day. Thanks for the read. Hope you have a great Sunday.
The first two photos are after I did a deep clean on the watch. Also did a little polish cloth on the sides of the case and a very light brush on the bracelet. It’s going next week to get a full service. The 3rd and 4th photo are the condition I found it in.
I certainly don't use half of the functions but I enjoy and use the basics which reviews said this watch does very well. Basics meaning; time, message alerts, some health and sleep tracking here and there, steps/heart rate. Pixel 10 Pro.
After month 1 I will say I am very happy with it. It does exactly what I need it to do and dozens of watch face options scratch the itch when I can't wear something else.
I waited a long while and stumbled upon an unworn E5 on the secondary. I don't think retail cost is justifiable, but if you're on the fence and find a good deal, it's an awesome watch. I had my last smart watch for 6 years until it finally crapped out so I didn't mind spending a bit more for something I end up using daily for such a long period of time.
Some watches are born with history already written into them.
I recently acquired this beautiful TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Automatic in 41mm, and it came with something truly special — a personal engraving that tells its own romantic story.
The watch itself is fantastic. The 41mm stainless steel case has a perfect presence on the wrist. The sunburst blue dial is hypnotic — rich, deep, and full of life as it catches the light from every angle. The applied silver indexes and hands give it that clean, premium Carrera look, while the Calibre 5 automatic movement runs smoothly with Swiss precision. Day/date complication at 3 o’clock adds daily practicality, and the solid bracelet feels substantial yet comfortable.
But what truly captured my heart is the engraving on the caseback:
“Voor Samir van Sylwia”
“For Samir from Sylwia.”
Even though I didn’t receive this watch as a direct gift, I love that it already carries someone else’s love story. It arrived with this beautiful, personal dedication already engraved — a testament to the emotion someone once poured into choosing this exact piece for another. There’s something poetic and touching about wearing a watch that was once given with love. It has its own soul and history.
This Carrera now begins a new chapter with me. The blue dial continues to impress me every day, and knowing it carries such a heartfelt message makes it feel even more alive. It’s a reminder that great watches often travel through different lives, carrying memories and emotions along the way.
Precision, elegance, racing heritage, and now a touch of romance — this TAG Heuer has it all.😊
I have a Carerra date on the bracelet (and also have the leather rally strap). But I would like a rubber strap. I asked chat GPT to create me some examples which look great. I know Delugs straps are pretty good but I’m struggling to know if the curved or semi integrated strap would be better. Does anyone else have any insight or possibly other strap recommendations? Thanks in advance!
Recently, I was gifted this old Tag, is there any worth in refurbishing it or is it even possible in its given state? Any help would be appreciated!
After a hectic and sometimes heavy time I rewarded myself with the watch I had my eyes on since it was released! So yes, quite the long wait but worth it 😀
Hi guys would anyone be able to recommend a black nato strap or metal bracelet for my Aquaracer. I can’t seem to find any oem 43mm black straps anywhere.
Cheers guys
Turned out quite nice... Personally I like it quite a bit. Had Zealande on Omega and Rolex before, but this is really a perfect fit!
Your thoughts?
Recently got into watches and this is my first pickup of any name brand watch. Got it from a Facebook marketplace auction for 60$. Did I get cooked or is this a good pickup for the price? Secondly I’m in need of advice for a band as this one fits but very tightly.
Really nice upgrade on the previous design in my opinion. The rider tabs catch the light quite nicely, the weight helps a lot as an active person, and the polar blue contrasts really well. One for the long term for sure.
This one is sentimental to me because I had the original 35 mm version back in 1989. You can say it’s overpriced. I don’t care even though I did get a small discount. I just think it’s awesome.
I’m torn between these two watches but also can’t help but wonder if these dials come from the same exact supplier? Wondering if anyone here has come across this and been through this decision. Thanks!