ticktock
160
Frequent changes, but the interval's likely to increase
Oct 08, 2009,08:59 AM
Initially they are recommending that owners return them once a year for the belts to be changed free of charge, but this is likely to be a precautionary move. Because they have little experience of these belts over a period of time they have played it safe, but they think it is likely that once they prove reliable this interval could be extended to as much as five years. Some of the belts are as thin as a human hair and yet they still have the V-profile and teeth on the inside of each belt. The two identical belts linked to the winding system are slightly more substantial and are reinforced with a thin band of steel. The belts are made for TAG Heuer in France using micro injection moulding which is carried out at very high pressure. The belts are made from a polyamide and the formula for each is slightly different, depending on what it has to do. All the specifications for the belts and for the dimension and materials of other components in this remarkable watch were calculated using a super computer to resolve 1,700 different formulae. Let me know if you want more information or would like to see a drive belt under the microscope alongside a human hair. One interesting thought for watchmakers here: adjacent wheels in a conventional watch turn in opposite directions. Wheels connected by a belt drive always turn in the same direction.
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Exclusive for fellow Purists, live pics of the Tag V4
By: MichaelC : October 3rd, 2009-21:43
Hello friends. One of Denver's finest dealers had their yearly watch fair the past two days. Having just learned earlier in the week that tag Heuer was releasing their V4 watch in a month, I was inclined to walk over to the TH display and meet the rep. To...
Thanks Michael
By: SJX : October 3rd, 2009-21:55
I'm glad that the V4 is finally available. I remember the last time I saw it at Basel in '06 or '05 and back then they said it would be "available next year". - SJX
It also landed in Paris
By: amanico : October 4th, 2009-00:22
As you, I regret TAG didn't make in Titanium or in SS, with a much more affordable price tag ( sorry for the bad pun ). I will have to have an eye on it. It is a very intriguant watch. Thanks for having taken the time to post these pics! Best, Nicolas
I saw a similar prototype in London. My one observation over
By: 219 : October 4th, 2009-02:15
your report was that without the platinum case, the inertia on the incablock was not too great to power the watch in a consistent way - the block did not seem to move in a seamless way. However, the execution was good; albeit would have preferred a free-s...
Thanks for the pics Michael!
By: AnthonyTsai : October 4th, 2009-08:28
Many are waiting for this watch to come out, and looks like it finally will. Too bad they made platinum as their first edition, but hopefully a steel variant will be released the year after. It will be interesting to see how well the belts perform, and th...
Thank you, Michael . . .
By: Dr No : October 4th, 2009-13:22
. . . the V4 is probably the only example of nontraditional watchmaking that I find compelling. I'm looking forward to the initial reports from the field . . . cordially, Art
Thanks for the photos!
By: dxboon : October 4th, 2009-23:49
Even though the aesthetics of the watch are ultimately not for me (I can't easily tell time with it), I am really excited to see this watch in the metal, and even more curious to find out how Tag's new belt-driven movement will hold up. Very cool! Cheers,...
its one of those pieces i loved on first sight several years ago
By: G99 : October 5th, 2009-06:38
sadly my eyes are bigger than my wallet. i wonder if the belts need changing like in a car? i appreciate the revs are a lot lower, but they must wear out in time. the dial side does look very basic, but the reverse is great. thanks Graham
I like the watch
By: tourbillon001 : October 5th, 2009-22:26
at 3500 in Ti, not at 80k LOL
Frequent changes, but the interval's likely to increase
By: ticktock : October 8th, 2009-08:59
Initially they are recommending that owners return them once a year for the belts to be changed free of charge, but this is likely to be a precautionary move. Because they have little experience of these belts over a period of time they have played it saf...
thanks for that. personally i'd...
By: G99 : October 8th, 2009-10:27
thanks for that. personally i'd be fascinated to see the belts in comparison to a human hair. it is the sort of new technology that fascinates me despite the fact that i would never ever afford one. best Graham
