Okay, let’s talk about this TAG Carrera watch thing.
Getting the Itch
So, for a long time, I just wore whatever cheap watch did the job. Never really thought much about it. Then, maybe a few years back, I started noticing nicer watches. Saw a guy wearing a Carrera at some work thing. Looked sharp. Planted a seed, you know? It wasn’t instant, but I started kinda wanting something a bit more… substantial. Something that felt solid.
I didn’t rush. Did a bit of looking around when I had time. Popped into a few shops just to see them in person. Pictures online are one thing, but holding it is different. The weight, the finish. Liked the sporty but still classy look of the Carrera. Some other brands were nice too, but I kept coming back to TAG.
Taking the Plunge
Decided I was gonna go for it. Took some saving, wasn’t exactly pocket change for me. Finally got the funds together. Went back to a store I’d visited before. Looked at a couple of variations again. There was this one specific Carrera model, can’t remember the exact reference number now, but it just clicked. Simple, clean dial, chronograph pushers looked cool even though I barely use ’em.
Pulled the trigger. Felt pretty good walking out with that box. A bit like, “Okay, I actually did it.” Got home, opened it all up. The presentation is nice, gotta admit. Felt like a proper event.
Living With It
Started wearing it pretty much every day. First thing I noticed was the weight. Not heavy like a brick, but you know it’s there. Felt sturdy. The bracelet was comfortable after I got a link or two taken out.
Here’s what I found using it day-to-day:
- Looks: Yeah, it looks good. Catches the light nicely. Get the occasional comment, but mostly it just feels like a well-made thing on my wrist.
- Keeping Time: It’s an automatic. Keeps decent time. Maybe loses or gains a few seconds a day? Never bothered me enough to track it super precisely. It does the job. I just reset it every few weeks if I notice it’s off by a minute or two.
- Durability: This was a big one for me. I’m not exactly gentle with stuff. I worried about scratching it at first, especially the polished bits. And yeah, it picked up some small desk-diving marks on the clasp and bracelet pretty quick. Nothing major, just signs of wear. The sapphire crystal on the front? Still looks perfect, gotta say. That stuff is tough.
- The Chronograph: Like I said, looks cool. I’ve used it maybe five times? Timing steaks on the grill, stuff like that. Works fine. Just not something I need daily.
Final Thoughts
So, what’s the verdict after living with it? I still really like it. It’s become my go-to watch. Feels reliable, looks good enough for pretty much any situation I’m in. Was it worth the money? For me, yeah. It wasn’t just buying a watch, it was kinda marking a point, saving up for something decent and finally getting it.
It’s not perfect. Automatics need setting if you don’t wear them for a couple of days, and service will cost a bit down the line. But honestly, it just works. It tells the time, feels solid, and I enjoy wearing it. That’s pretty much what I wanted. No regrets here.
