When you think TAG Heuer, you most likely think motorsport. Their Carrera and Monaco models are iconic in the world of both watches and motorsport. Ever since Jack Heuer joined Ferrari for a sponsorship deal back in 1971, the name TAG Heuer has been associated with sleek cars and unbeatable performance.
Well, the unbeatable performance is still the same. But the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 takes the brand in an exciting new direction: Under the waves.
At Watches and Wonders 2021, TAG Heuer CEO Frédéric Arnault told the audience that he knows how excited collectors get about their motorsports models, but added “ I believe there are great stories to tell with the Aquaracer and its whole history.”
Having seen the Aquaracer Professional 300m for ourselves, we here at Watch Winner agree with him!
Overview
The Aquaracer Professional 300m is a fantastic entry-level diver’s watch. And by entry level we don’t mean cheap or poorly made! Make no mistake, this is a robust, precision instrument that’s powerful enough to take with you from boardroom to surfboard. But at a price tag of under £3,000 it’s a great starting point for those new to the hobby, or who want to add to their collection without buying one of the pricier divers’ watches.
TAG Heuer is dedicated to making sure you get a reliable diver’s watch. They put every Aquaracer Professional 300 through its paces with open water tests that include heat testing, pressure tests, and saltwater exposure. By the time you strap the watch to your wrist, you know for sure it’s up to the task when diving, sailing, or surfing.
History
Regular readers will know that here at Watch Winner, we love models that come with an interesting history. There’s nothing quite like wearing a watch and knowing it’s part of a long line of precision timepieces. And the Aquaracer Professional 300m has a fascinating story.
Although a divers’ watch is something of a departure for the TAG Heuer brand, there’s a long history there too. TAG Heuer created their first divers’ watch back in 1978. Affordable quartz movements were making quality watches more accessible to the public, so TAG Heuer wanted to diversify their line and create something that would help them stand out and show why it was still important to invest in high quality watch brands.
Enter the Ref. 844, their first divers’ watch. The watches were created by the French manufacturer Monnin, to ensure the kind of high quality wearers had come to associate with the TAG Heuer brand.
Customers enjoyed the brand new diving watches, with particular acclaim for their precision movements that could handle open waters. In fact the line was so popular that the company kept developing their collection. Since that first watch made a splash in 1978, there have been several developments. The 1000 series built on the popularity of that first Rev. 844. Then in the 1980s and 1990s TAG Heuer wowed its customers with the 2000 series. This series added a wider choice of colours, styles and materials, adding a high-fashion touch to the line.
The 2000 series eventually became the Aquaracer series, and now the line continues with the sleek, powerful Aquaracer Professional 300. Today’s modern incarnation retains six classic features that tie it firmly to the seafaring heritage of the Ref. 844:
- Water resistant to at least 200m (this model is 300m)
- Sapphire crystal
- Luminous face markings
- Unidirectional bezel
- Screw in crown
We love that this watch is true to the spirit of the original in all the ways that matter, while updating the look for the modern wearer.
Appearance
The Aquaracer Professional 300m has a bold, confident appearance that wouldn’t look out of place meeting the sealife at 300m under the waves, but is equally well suited to a more formal setting.
Featuring a rich black dial with sunray brush finishing and Super-LumiNova enhanced hands and hour markers, this watch instantly makes a statement.
The TAG Aquaracer Professional 300m features the Aquaracer line’s classic twelve sided case for a unique sporty look. Add in the rhodium plated indexes, and magnifying lens at the classic Tag Heuer six o’clock position, and you’ve got a watch that looks great while offering excellent performance.
Features and Specs
The Aquaracer Professional 300m has all the high-class specs you’d expect from Tag Heuer:
- Sand-blasted matt finish crown for an easy grip that makes it easier to set and adjust the time.
- A black perforated rubber strap with steel folding clasp and fine adjustment system for an easy versatile fit over a wetsuit or under your favourite formal shirt.
- Double safety push buttons.
- 38 hour power reserve so you can rely on your watch to keep time even when not being worn.
- Calibre 5 automatic movement.
- 43mm steel polished and brushed case.
- Double anti reflective coating and luminous hands and markers so you can tell the time easily no matter the light levels.
TAG Heuer have covered all bases with the specs on this watch, giving you precision performance, and a watch that’s easy to wear, use and enjoy.
Wearability
We reckon the Aquaracer Professional 300m is one of the most wearable diving watches in this price category.
The sharp angles of the bezel and the deep black face paired with the rubber strap give this watch a highly distinctive look that immediately calls to mind azure seas and adventurous diving trips.
The Aquaracer Professional 300m is slimmer and lighter to wear than its chunkier predecessor, the Ref. 844. It’s designed for modern use, and for wearers who aren’t going to take it off as soon as they get on dry land.
We love our diving watches here on Watch Winner, but one thing we’ve noticed is that it’s not always easy to find a diving watch that works as well on land as on water. Some are too sporty for wear in more formal or business settings, while some look so formal that they don’t work well for leisure time.
In our opinion, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 is one of those watches that truly wears well on land or sea. The angled bezel and rubber wrist strap keep it fresh and sporty. Meanwhile, the elegant details and sunray finish on the face and subtle brushed steel case lend it a touch of classic elegance.
Cost
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300m retails for £2,450.00 (Sept 2022).
Summary
We think the Aquaracer Professional 300 is a brilliant divers’ watch. It’s accessible enough for new collectors, but luxurious enough for the more seasoned watch lover. It’s light, sporty, and great to look at, without compromising an inch on features and specs.
Compared to some sports watches, this is a lighter wear that’s more comfortable to keep on your wrist from day to night, or pool to an elegant party. The fine adjustment system of the rubber strap makes it even more comfortable to wear.
This watch is a practical watch that you can rely on and enjoy for years to come. It also makes a great gift for anyone in your life who loves sailing, diving, surfing, and good looking watches.
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300m marries a historic watch line with excellent value and high quality performance. Highly recommended!