TAG Heuer x Super Mario

Super Mario Brothers holds a special place in my heart. I have very fond memories of when I was around 7-8 years old, going to my cousin’s place to play the game. It might seem like a little thing but it was something I’d always looked forward to. 

I’m not ashamed to say I have the character soft toys. The lego Mario. The tee shirts etc etc. The whole nostalgic money grab works just a little too well on me. It really is a case of "shut up and take my money". In this case, when I saw the teasers I was hooked. I do like TAG Here watches. Not the entry level quartz stuff mind you, but I understand that it's a business and it's bread and butter stuff. However, even if they put Mario on the entry level Formula 1 automatic chrono with the ETA7750/Sellita SW500 for 5 grand I would've put my money down. Seriously.

This announcement was really exciting. Even though deep down I knew it would be the Connected Watch, but I was hopeful that they wouldn't be so predictable and pair Mario with a mechanical chronograph. I could even use it to time my Super Mario Bros speed runs. (not that I’d actually do it, but hey, it’s the possibility that counts right?)

So hopeful was I that signing up to be notified of availability from TAG Heuer was immediate...  too bad the response was anything but. Seems like someone somewhere dropped the ball a bit and I never received the notification and looks like I wasn't the only one. And now it's sold out. Was I surprised that it sold out? Not one bit.  It's a clever strategy to shift units quickly and at least bring attention to the product line. 

What would I have done with the partnership? I’d use the Carrera case, but with the Caliber 16 movement (ETA7750/Sellita SW500) to  keep the costs down a little. Have a brick coloured rubber strap with the bricks motive and put the mushroom and star at either end. Use the green pipe as the watch box. These are no brainers. You could substitute the small running seconds hand with a star so it’s always spinning. Or even the spinning fireball from Bowser’s castle. The watch designs itself! Come on Nintendo and Tag! These are free design inputs. Feel free to use them. And send me the revised final product. Email me for the shipping address :P 

Romain Jerome Super Mario watch

I’m pretty sure there will be more products coming. But for now, hands down the best collab between a watch brand and Super Mario Bros so far would be the Romain Jerome…