TAG Heuer, founded in 1860 in Saint-Imier by Edouard Heuer, built its reputation on precision chronographs and motorsport timing. The brand invented the oscillating pinion (1887), created the first dashboard chronograph for race cars (1911), and timed multiple Olympic Games. Jack Heuer's partnerships with Steve McQueen and Formula 1 cemented the brand's racing identity.
Available below retail on the secondary market at 23% discount, this model offers exceptional value for buyers willing to purchase pre-owned. This pricing makes it one of the better value propositions in the sport watch category.
The WVS Value Score of 68/100 reflects the balance between this watch's specifications, brand positioning, and market dynamics. While not the highest-scoring watch in its category, it may offer advantages in other areas such as design, availability, or raw specification value.
Perhaps most remarkably, the annual cost of ownership is just $193 per year when factoring in value retention, servicing, and insurance. To put that in perspective, this is less than many people spend on a streaming subscription — making it one of the most cost-efficient luxury items you can own.
Understanding the true cost of owning a luxury watch requires looking beyond the purchase price. Our cost-of-ownership model calculates the annual net expense of keeping the TAG Heuer Formula 1 CAZ101AL.BA0842 on your wrist, factoring in three key components.
First, depreciation: based on historical pricing data for this reference and similar TAG Heuer models, we estimate annual value change at 6%. This depreciation rate is typical for this price segment and brand positioning. Second, servicing: TAG Heuer recommends periodic maintenance to ensure accuracy and water resistance. We amortize the estimated service cost across the recommended interval, arriving at $80 per year. Third, insurance: at approximately 1.5% of market value, annual insurance costs $23 to protect against theft, loss, or accidental damage.
Combining these factors yields a net annual cost of $193. That's roughly $0.53 per day — less than a daily cup of coffee.
Estimated market price trend based on aggregated public listing data. Prices reflect average asking prices for complete sets in excellent condition. Updated monthly.
Our proprietary score rates every luxury watch on a 0-100 scale across five dimensions. Scores above 85 indicate exceptional value retention and market positioning. The formula is transparent and weight-based.
When considering the TAG Heuer Formula 1 CAZ101AL.BA0842, it helps to understand how it compares to alternatives in the sport watch category. The highest-scoring alternative is the Breitling Avenger with a Value Score of 69/100, slightly above the CAZ101AL.BA0842's 68/100. The comparison table below provides a detailed side-by-side analysis of all key metrics.
| Watch | Market Price | Size | WR | Own/Yr | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAG Heuer Formula 1 CAZ101AL.BA0842 | $1,200–$1,800 | 43mm | 200m | $193/yr | 68 |
| Breitling Avenger A32397101B1X1 | $3,200–$4,500 | 44mm | 300m | $369/yr | 69 |
| Bell & Ross BR 03 BR0392-D-BL-ST/SST | $3,000–$4,200 | 41mm | 100m | $350/yr | 64 |
| Bell & Ross BR 05 BR05A-BL-ST/SST | $3,500–$4,800 | 40mm | 100m | $391/yr | 64 |
Luxury sport watches bridge the gap between tool watches and haute horlogerie. Models like the Nautilus and Royal Oak created the luxury sports watch category in the 1970s, proving that a steel watch could command gold-level prices through superior design and finishing.
Sport watch buyers should consider the integrated bracelet design (a hallmark of the category), water resistance adequate for daily wear (100m+), movement robustness including anti-magnetic properties, and overall case/bracelet finishing. The best examples feature hand-finished movements despite their sporty exterior.
The luxury sport watch is arguably the most versatile category in modern watchmaking. An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak or Patek Philippe Nautilus is appropriate with everything from shorts to a suit. This versatility drives both demand and resale values.
TAG Heuer watches are widely available and frequently discounted. Authorized dealers commonly offer 10-20% off MSRP, while grey market prices can be 25-40% below retail. This availability means there is almost never a reason to pay full retail — shop around before purchasing.
TAG Heuer offers both in-house (Calibre Heuer 02) and outsourced movements. The Heuer 02 is a column-wheel chronograph with 80-hour power reserve — an impressive specification at the brand's price point. Entry-level models use reliable Sellita/ETA bases or quartz movements, making TAG Heuer accessible across budgets.
Service intervals are every 4-6 years with costs ranging from $400-$800 for automatic models. Quartz models (Formula 1) require only battery changes every 2-3 years at $50-100. TAG Heuer's service network is extensive through Swatch Group infrastructure.
TAG Heuer watches depreciate significantly, typically 40-60% from retail. This makes them poor investment choices but excellent pre-owned buys — a 2-year-old Carrera can be found at half its retail price with minimal wear. The Monaco holds value best due to its iconic design status.
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Every current reference ranked by Value Score. Click any model for full analysis.
| Ref | Variant | Retail | Score | Own/Yr | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAZ101AL.BA0842 | Chrono Steel/Black ◂ | $1,950 | 68 | $193/yr | $1,200–$1,800 |
Value Score 68/100 · $193/year to own · 94% retention