TAG Heuer Aquaracer

The watches of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer collection are perhaps best described as sporty, functional, and robust. Select models are among this Swiss manufacturer's most highly coveted timepieces.

The collection contains a wide range of automatic three-hand watches and chronographs. Each model features a unidirectional bezel for measuring dive times. Most versions are water-resistant to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft). TAG Heuer also produces professional editions that can dive down to 500 m (50 bar, 1,640 ft) and feature helium escape valves, making them well-suited to saturation diving.

Most Aquaracers come in stainless steel, though there are several titanium models, as well as editions with black PVD coatings or a carbon aesthetic. There are also versions for fans of GMT watches, including models with a Pepsi bezel. Each watch houses a movement based on a Swiss caliber from either ETA or Sellita. TAG Heuer gives these movements names like "Calibre 5," "Calibre 7," and "Calibre 16."

In 2021, the manufacturer treated the standard-edition Aquaracer to an update and added eight new three-hand models to the Professional series. These latest additions include a titanium watch with a green dial and matching green bezel. At the same time, the company announced a limited edition with a design based on the ref. 844 from 1978.

Prices for a TAG Heuer Aquaracer largely depend on the case's material, the watch's age, and its condition. Generally, value tends to decrease with age. New models also usually sell for less than their official list prices and are much more affordable on Chrono24 than at offline retailers.

One great example is the stainless steel ref. WAY211A.BA0928. This watch features a black dial, a black ceramic bezel, and a stainless steel bracelet. While TAG Heuer officially lists this watch for 2,650 USD, you can find this watch selling for as little as 2,100 USD on Chrono24.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 is a typical diving watch. It has three hands, a unidirectional bezel with a 60-minute scale, and luminous hands and indices. TAG Heuer offers this model with several options of bezel material, including stainless steel, ceramic, and – as of 2021 – resin with a tortoiseshell aesthetic.

Plan to spend around 2,300 USD on a new 43-mm TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 with a ceramic bezel and three-piece link stainless steel bracelet, such as the ref. WAY201A.BA0927. A similar watch with a stainless steel bezel is slightly more affordable. For example, the ref. WAY2012.BA0927 with a blue dial demands roughly 2,100 USD.

TAG Heuer announced the standard Aquaracer in three new colors at Watches and Wonders 2021. All three watches share a 43-mm stainless steel case. The ref. WAY201S.BA0927 has a green dial and bezel, and the ref. WAY201P.FT6178 features these same components in marine blue.

Another difference between these two models is their bezel material. The green edition comes with an aluminum insert, while the manufacturer crafts the blue version's insert from polished resin with a tortoiseshell design. The final model, ref. WAY201N.FT6177, combines a black dial with an amber-colored resin bezel insert with a tortoiseshell effect.

The green Aquaracer comes on a stainless steel bracelet and has a recommended retail price of 2,750 USD. You can purchase this same timepiece on Chrono24 for about 2,800 USD. TAG Heuer pairs the two models with tortoiseshell bezels with rubber straps. Both have list prices of 2,700 USD and a market value of roughly 2,300 USD.

The 2021 Professional 300 models feature flatter cases and bezels. Another notable change is the date display's position, which has shifted from 3 to 6 o'clock. The date's magnifying lens sits on the inside of the crystal, thus keeping the crystal's outer surface smooth. TAG Heuer also updated the bezel, which now has a fully fluted edge and a smoother rotation mechanism. Finally, thanks to its new quick-adjust system, you can adjust the bracelet's length with the clasp closed.

The ref. WBP201A.BA0632 is the most classic edition and has a black dial and ceramic bezel. As of spring 2021, this reference's market value and list price are nearly identical, with both sitting at 3,000 USD. Other standard-edition Professional models in stainless steel demand similar prices.

The ref. WBP208C.FT6201 is a limited-edition Professional 300 with a production run of only 844 pieces. This watch pays tribute to the TAG Heuer's first diving watch, the ref. 844 from 1978. Its dial features a unique red military scale, and its case is made of polished, scratch-resistant grade 5 titanium. A black rubber strap completes the look. Set for release in September 2021, TAG Heuer lists this watch for 4,350 USD.

The Aquaracer 500M is a great option for professional divers thanks to its helium escape valve. With 500 m (50 bar, 1,640 ft) of water resistance, this timepiece is comparable to the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean.

TAG Heuer launched the Aquaracer 500M in 2009 and ceased its production in 2014. The first generation's run lasted until 2012. The main features of this diving watch are its polygonal case, angular bezel with a rubber inlay, and date display with a Cyclops lens at 9 o'clock. TAG Heuer equipped the Aquaracer 500M with a rubber strap in the same hue as the rubber bezel insert. There are also models with a stainless steel bracelet available.

Pre-owned pieces on a rubber strap like the ref. WAJ2112.BA0870 cost around 1,800 USD. Those on a stainless steel bracelet demand roughly 120 USD more. The series' top model – the Aquaracer 500M Full Black – is made of titanium with a black coating and has hands and indices coated in yellow luminous material. Prices for a used timepiece sit around 1,800 USD.

TAG Heuer also created chronograph versions of the Aquaracer 500M. One example is the ref. CAJ2110. Its power comes from the Calibre 16, which is based on the Valjoux 7750. You can purchase this model in good condition for as little as 2,100 USD. In 2012, the manufacturer introduced a chronograph powered by the Calibre 72: the Aquaracer 500M Calibre 72 Countdown ref. CAK211A. This movement is a modified version of the Sellita caliber SW300 and comes with a chronograph/countdown module from Dubois Dépraz. A countdown function is especially useful at sailing regattas, for example. Expect to pay around 2,400 USD for this countdown chronograph.

The second generation of Aquaracer 500M watches bears the reference number WAK2110 and debuted in 2012. Instead of a rubber bezel inlay, these timepieces have a ceramic inlay. Furthermore, their cases are less angular and the date display has shifted from 9 to 3 o'clock for an overall more conservative design. Used watches with this reference sell for about 1,800 USD.

TAG Heuer specializes in chronographs. It therefore comes as no surprise that the Aquaracer collection contains its fair share of chronographs. More recent models are available with your choice of the quartz Calibre 45 or automatic Calibre 16. The latter is based on the reliable Valjoux 7750. This movement has a date display at 3, a 12-hour counter at 6, a small seconds at 9, and a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock.

The Aquaracer Calibre 16 (ref. CAK2110.BA0833) is a 43-mm stainless steel watch. Prices for a mint-condition Aquaracer Caliber 16 on a stainless steel bracelet come in at around 3,500 USD. Pre-owned pieces are much more affordable at approximately 2,200 USD.

with a small seconds at 3, a 12-hour counter at 6, and a 30-minute counter at 9 o'clock. An oversized date sits below the brand's logo at 12 o'clock. The Calibre 45's power reserve lasts around 40 hours. You can purchase this diving chronograph for about 3,900 USD new or 2,800 USD pre-owned.

If you often find yourself traveling between time zones, the Aquaracer Calibre 7 Twin-Time (ref. WAY201F.BA0927) with a GMT function is the right watch for you. Its additional central hour hand and bidirectional bezel allow the Twin-Time to display two time zones at once. Its movement, the Calibre 7, is based on the ETA 2893-A2 or Sellita SW300.

The blue and red ceramic bezel with a 24-hour scale makes it easy to tell day from night and calls to mind images of the highly coveted Rolex Pepsi. That being said, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 7 Twin-Time is much more affordable and costs only 2,800 USD in mint condition.