<p>We promise to invest our time and experience into understanding your needs and desires. We won’t &#8230;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Expect you to have lots of knowledge</li>
<li>Drown you in more detail than you need</li>
<li>Try to push a sale on you</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Our aim is to make you feel relaxed and welcome, and to enjoy the Oakleigh Watches experience from start to finish.</p>
<div></div>


insidemechanismclockworkwithworkinggears-close-updetailed-3drendering

The oakleigh promise

Heuer watches all have mechanical movements, so their starting price point is above that of many TAG Heuer’s (especially those with a quartz movement)

How do Heuer compare in price to TAG Heuer?

TAG Heuer make superb quality in house automatic movements as well as using quartz movements for some models.

Are TAG Heuer watches automatic?

TAG Heuer watches are made in the famous watchmaking area of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

Where are TAG Heuer manufactured?

TAG Heuer watches  offer excellent value for money and appeal to motorsport enthusiasts.

Is TAG Heuer a good brand?

Most TAG Heuer watches are waterproof if they are serviced properly.

Are TAG Heuer watches waterproof?

View All Insights

patek-381x518-copy

patek 381x518 copy

How much is my watch worth?

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Best Dive Watches - 12 of our Favourites

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Can I go swimming in a luxury watch?

“Can I go swimming in a luxury watch?”

This is a question that I am often asked by our clients. Of course what they are referring to is whether their watch is water resistant – will it leak and ruin the movement, dial and hands?

There are usually three areas that need to be considered when the water resistance of a watch is under examination;
<ul>
 	<li>the caseback</li>
 	<li>the glass</li>
 	<li>the crown</li>
</ul>
During testing, these three components are checked for condition and damage or corrosion. Next the seals fitted between the component and the case are inspected and often replaced. The watch is then pressure tested using a purpose built piece of equipment. When it passes – voila! Your watch is waterproof.

So yes, if it passes the test, you CAN go swimming in a luxury watch. But hang on, there’s another question that needs to be asked ……

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8735" src="https://cms.oakleighwatches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Swim2.jpg" alt="" width="943" height="530" />

<strong>“SHOULD I go swimming in a luxury watch?”
</strong>
All the watches that we sell here at Oakleigh Watches are superb examples of their type and are all of course very valuable.

I can’t imagine a more hostile environment for a luxury watch than a beach with its salt and sand, or a swimming pool full of chlorine, steel and ceramic tiles. And that’s before you even mention the water! So our advice would be – “yes you can swim in a luxury watch but NO, you probably shouldn’t.”

If you’re at the pool or the beach – relax, forget about the time! Or, if you’re like me and feel a bit lost without something stylish on your wrist, switch your luxury time piece for a much more practical G-Shock!

Oakleigh Watches works alongside local Rolex and Omega service agents <a href="https://www.michlmayr.com/?_ga=2.204148883.2033394945.1721402847-623201293.1721402847">Michlmayr &amp; Co.</a> All of our luxury pre-owned watches are tested to ensure they are water resistant and comply to COSC spec. Some of our more vintage stock will not be water resistant and this will be made clear in the description.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

the-tudor-big-block-listing

The-Tudor-Big-Block-listing

In 1970 Tudor entered the chronograph market with a watch that was very different from its Rolex Daytona brethren – The two incarnations of the ’Monte-Carlo’ were bold, bright and colourful and occupied their own place in the Rolex family lineup, as a slightly inferior model to the Daytona.

Then in 1976 there was a shift and the ‘Big Blocks’ were born. Far from establishing a point of difference from the Rolex Daytona by continuing with the ‘fun’ slightly ‘junior’ theme, Tudor made a watch that was similar to the Daytona and in one key way, actually superior….

As well as toning down the colour palette and producing monochrome chronographs (although exotic-dialed 9000-series ‘Big Block Monte Carlos’ were made), Tudor adopted the Valjoux 7750 movement, not only adding an extra chrono sub dial but also a quick set date and an automatic movement. This automatic movement made the Big Block the first self-winding chronographs from the Rolex group – it would take Rolex themselves well over ten years to make an automatic Daytona and 25 years to make one with an in house movement.

As well as an advanced set of features, the Valjoux movement brought with it the necessity for a deeper case than its predecessors to house the self-winding mechanism and rotor, hence the nickname “Big Block”.

The first Big Blocks were the 9400’s consisting of three references that gave the option of three different bezels:
<ul class="ul1">
 	<li class="li1">9420 with an acrylic tachymeter bezel</li>
 	<li class="li1">9421 with a 12-hour calibrated rotating bezel</li>
 	<li class="li1">9430 with a steel tachymeter bezel</li>
</ul>
In the late 1980’s, the 9400 series was replaced by the 79100 series of Big Blocks and again, there were three references with three bezel types:
<ul class="ul1">
 	<li class="li1">79160 with a black plastic tachymeter bezel</li>
 	<li class="li1">79170 with a black graduated 12-hour rotating bezel;</li>
 	<li class="li1">79180 with a steel tachymeter bezel.</li>
</ul>
<p class="p1">By the mid 1990’s Montres TUDOR S.A. was 50 years old and they started to made decisive moves to differentiate themselves from their Rolex brothers. As a consequence the direct references to Rolex were steadily disappearing from the cases, winding crowns and bracelets of Tudor watches to be replaced with own brand alternatives and the day of the Big Block was over.</p>
<p class="p1">An important watch and often overlooked, the Big Blocks are one to watch that’s for sure</p>

The Tudor ‘Big Block’

When buying or owning a luxury watch, we understand that you might feel a bit silly or naive asking the question – is this a self winding watch? But trust us, the answer isn’t that simple and therefore it is a great question.

&nbsp;

In fact, as a professional watch trader I recommend this be one of the first questions you ask when buying a pre-owned luxury watch and/or if your new purchase suddenly stops working.

Ultimately the answer depends on what type of watch you’ve got. Broadly speaking, there are three types of watch movement: quartz, manual and automatic. So, let’s take them one at a time.

&nbsp;

Plus, keep reading to the bottom where we have included a quick reference table of example watches under each type of movement.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Quartz Movement</span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;">The movement of a quartz watch is powered by a battery. It never needs to be wound up. It just runs efficiently and accurately until the battery dies and then you pop in another one and away you go. A quartz watch never needs winding. This is a not a self winding watch.</p>
&nbsp;
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Manual Movement</span></strong></p>
&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8583" src="https://cms.oakleighwatches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/self-winding.jpg" alt="" width="943" height="530" />

&nbsp;
<p style="margin: 0cm;">This is a mechanical watch movement powered by a mainspring that must be wound by hand in the old-fashioned way. Probably the most famous of all hand wound watches is the Omega Speedmaster, which was chosen for NASA space missions because automatic movements don’t work in zero gravity.</p>
&nbsp;
<p style="margin: 0cm;">Once fully wound, a Speedmaster will run for between 48 and 50 hours before it stops and needs to be wound again. Of course, there is no problem with winding the main spring in the meantime to keep it fully wound so that it never stops. Again – this is not a self winding watch.</p>
&nbsp;
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Automatic Movement (Self Winding)</span></strong></p>
The first automatic movement was designed at the end of the 18th century and its design is usually attributed to Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet. Of course, as with many things horological, the glory was subsequently taken by Hans Wilsdorf’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual movement which was patented in 1931.

&nbsp;

These days, most quality Swiss watch movements are automatic or self winding and this is considered to be the standard. A rotor is attached to the watches movement so that when you move your wrist, the rotor spins and winds the watch back up again by tightening the mainspring.

&nbsp;

The amount of time that an automatic watch will run off the wrist before stopping is called the “power reserve“. The power reserve of most quality self winding watches these days is between 48 and 72 hours.

&nbsp;

Any watchmakers who achieve more than this quite rightly considers it a significant feat so sometimes you will see a watch described as “8 Days” or maybe even “12 Days”. This refers to the fact that the particular watch has a power reserve far and away above the average.

&nbsp;

Once the mainspring is fully charged, an automatic watch worn daily will run without stopping until the movement needs to be serviced.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><strong>Does this mean that an automatic watch never needs winding?</strong></span></p>
No, it doesn’t, and this is the not so simple bit.

&nbsp;

When it first leaves the factory, it’s possible that the auto movement of the watch will work so efficiently that it will charge the main spring to its full power just based on the kinetic energy of the movement of your wrist. Once that watch becomes a few years old however, this becomes increasingly unlikely. It’s also unlikely when a watch sits unworn for an extended period of time.

&nbsp;

We always recommend that if an automatic watch has stopped through lack of movement, the main spring should be fully charged through winding before its worn. This gives the automatic movement every opportunity to operate efficiently and as expected and keep your watch, running accurately.

&nbsp;
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">How should I wind my watch?</span></strong></p>
&nbsp;

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/816570170?h=0c01237f1e&amp;title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

&nbsp;

The most important thing to remember when winding your watch is to take it off your wrist first. Winding your watch while you’re still wearing it puts undue pressure on the crown stem and can cause damage to the movement.

&nbsp;

Then unscrew or pull out the crown to the winding position (you will feel the spring release) and wind it 40 to 50 times in a forward direction. On an automatic watch, you will not feel any increased resistance when winding, so just stop when you’ve reached the full amount. On a manual wind watch, you will feel the increased resistance from the tightening mainspring and when full resistance is reached, you won’t be able to wind it any further. Continuing to force the crown forwards once fully wound will damage your movement so a little empathy can be required.

&nbsp;

If you’re wondering whether you should be using an automatic watch winder to save you all the trouble, our <a href="https://www.oakleighwatches.co.uk/watch-winders-an-overview/">Guide to Watch Winders</a> will be a useful read.

&nbsp;

<strong>In Conclusion</strong>

Is my watch self winding or do I need to wind my watch? Check our handy quick reference tables below and if you’re not sure, don’t be afraid to ask.

&nbsp;

Owning a luxury watch brings great pleasure and subsequently slight responsibility. Therefore, when choosing the right watch for you, think about the type of movement and commitment you’re prepared to make.

&nbsp;

As well as following our watch winding advice, it’s a good idea to have your watch serviced by an authorized service centre for the brand or by the brand itself once every five years. During those years, the lubricants in the watch could have dried up. While it is serviced you can also ask to have scratches removed from the metal case or bracelet. However, if you value the originality of the watch, don’t let the service centre replace the dial or hands.

&nbsp;

Oakleigh Watches is based at <a href="https://www.michlmayr.com/">Michlmayr &amp; Co</a> the largest service agents for Rolex and Omega (among other brands) in Norfolk. With over 30 years’ experience, Simon Michlmayr and his team are more than qualified to look after all our pre-owned watch servicing and repairs.  <a href="https://oakleigh-watches-beryl.vercel.app/shop?pa_availability=290">Plus, all Oakleigh VIP members will receive a 15% discount on watch servicing.</a>

&nbsp;
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><strong>Quick Reference Guide</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;">This list isn’t exhaustive, it’s just a guide to some of the more famous watches that carry each type of movement. If you are unsure, ask an expert. We’re always happy to help.</p>
&nbsp;

<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6fcb833 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="6fcb833" data-element_type="section" data-settings="{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}">
<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-868b324" data-id="868b324" data-element_type="column">
<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2136df0 eael-table-align-center eael-dt-th-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-data-table" data-id="2136df0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="eael-data-table.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div id="eael-data-table-wrapper-2136df0" class="eael-data-table-wrap" data-table_id="2136df0" data-custom_responsive="false">
<table id="eael-data-table-2136df0" class="tablesorter eael-data-table center" style="height: 335px;" width="289">
<thead>
<tr class="table-header">
<th id="" class="" style="text-align: left;" colspan=""><span class="data-table-header-text">MANUAL MOVEMENT</span></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Omega Speedmaster Professional</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Rolex Daytona (pre-1988)</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Panerai Luminor</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Panerai Radiomir</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Grand Seiko Elegance</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Patek Philippe Calatrava</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Lange &amp; Sohne Grand Lange 1</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">IWC Portofino</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section><section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5dcc883 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="5dcc883" data-element_type="section" data-settings="{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}">
<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3dded76" data-id="3dded76" data-element_type="column">
<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-79f7ab0 eael-table-align-center eael-dt-th-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-data-table" data-id="79f7ab0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="eael-data-table.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div id="eael-data-table-wrapper-79f7ab0" class="eael-data-table-wrap" data-table_id="79f7ab0" data-custom_responsive="false">
<table id="eael-data-table-79f7ab0" class="tablesorter eael-data-table center" style="height: 333px;" width="290">
<thead>
<tr class="table-header">
<th id="" class="" style="text-align: left;" colspan=""><span class="data-table-header-text">QUARTZ MOVEMENT</span></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">TAG Heuer Carrera</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Patek Phillipe Twenty-Four</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Cartier Panthere</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Rolex Oysterquartz</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Casio G Shock</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Bullova Lunar Pilot</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">CWC G10</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Longines Conquest</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Breitling Endurance Pro</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Cartier Santos</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-299fad7 eael-table-align-center eael-dt-th-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-data-table" data-id="299fad7" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="eael-data-table.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div id="eael-data-table-wrapper-299fad7" class="eael-data-table-wrap" data-table_id="299fad7" data-custom_responsive="false">
<table id="eael-data-table-299fad7" class="tablesorter eael-data-table center" style="height: 382px;" width="292">
<thead>
<tr class="table-header">
<th id="" class="" style="text-align: left;" colspan=""><span class="data-table-header-text">AUTOMATIC (SELF WINDING) MOVEMENT</span></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Rolex Oyster Perpetual</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Heuer Monaco</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Oris Aquis</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Rolex Submariner</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Rolex GMT Master</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Rolex Daytona (1988 - date)</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Cartier Santos 41</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="" class="" colspan="" rowspan="">
<div class="td-content-wrapper">
<div class="td-content">Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Is this a Self Winding Automatic Watch?

1x1-9244

TAG Heuer Monaco Bracelet

Availability

Brand

Model

What's Included

Condition

Reference

Years

Papers

Movement Type

Movement

Diameter

Dial Colour

Case material

Bracelet/Strap

Gender

Matching Model

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<p>This beautiful blue dialled TAG Heuer Monaco is quite a rarity because unlike the majority on the market, this comes with the uprated Calibre 17 movement AND a TAG Heuer bracelet.</p>
<p>Made in 2008 and in excellent all round condition with sharp edges and fat lugs. The crystal and the dial and hands are perfect.  The original bracelet is also in excellent condition with virtually no wear at all.</p>
<p>Complete with boxes, booklets and the original papers.</p>
<p>The movement was serviced by TAG Heuer in 2024 and the watch is still under TAG Heuer service warranty - all the paperwork is included.</p>
<p>The Caliber 17 movement has just tested by Rolex certified watch specialists <a href="https://www.michlmayr.com/">Michlmayr &amp; Co</a> and this TAG Heuer Monaco is running within COSC spec.</p>
<p>For more TAG Heuer Watches visit our <a href="https://www.oakleighwatches.co.uk/brand/pre-owned-tag-heuer"><strong>TAG</strong> <strong>Heuer </strong></a>Brand page.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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This beautiful blue dialled TAG Heuer Monaco is quite a rarity because unlike the majority on the market, this comes on a TAG Heuer bracelet.

TAG Heuer Monaco | 2008 | Full Set

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TAG Heuer Monaco Bracelet

£4,250