VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Professional 'Orange Dial' by Time & Tide

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Carrera Red Dial 'Heritage' Heuer 02 Chronograph

 

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Did anyone know they wanted a red dial Heritage Carrera? I've been on the THF Forum now for about six years and I've never ever heard anyone there say they wanted one. But come to that, I've never heard anyone say they want a purple Monaco either and that sold out pretty fast. What you forgot about that one already? Yeah, these 'limited editions' come and go real fast these days don't they...?

With the Monaco though, it feels somewhat more 'acceptable' to push the boat out. For a start the watch is more adventurous and quirky in its design and wearing the 'TAG Heuer' badge and being powered by a Heuer 02 rather than a Calibre 11 movement somehow puts it less at odds with history than this new red-dialed 'Heuer' Carrera.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 1000M 'Superdiver' by Monochrome Watches

FEATURE: Our Favourite Aquaracers

 

As a follow up to my 'History of the Aquaracer' quadrilogy posted over the last weekend, I thought I would poll a few members of the THF Forum to get their opinions on which of the many, many Aquaracers available is their own personal favourite...

As you would expect, there were a variety of opinions, with convergence on a few models, but really the common theme was that most people really like either the current WBP Aquaracers (and in particular the 43mm ceramic bezel models) or the previous WAY style Aquaracers, with other ranges barely even mentioned. 

First up we have our favourite Swedish Instagram influencer (who, let's not forget tried to buy an Aquaracer last year and ended up buying a Tudor Black Bay 58 by mistake)...

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 'Twin Time' Chronograph by The Watch Village

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300 Professional Ladies Watch

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As some of you may well remember, last year TAG Heuer produced a 'piece unique' for the 'Pink Dial Project' which was auctioned in aid of breast cancer charities. At the time I thought it slightly strange that they would make the watch a 'piece unique' when it was something I could see being part of the regular range, and it seems I was right.... well almost. 

This new 300 Professional Aquaracer 36mm is pretty darned close in spec to that piece, with the only differences that I can see being a regular second hand instead of a pink one and the first quarter of the bezel text being rendered in grey instead of pink. Other than that it looks pretty much identical to me, which is great if you really liked the unobtainable charity piece, but perhaps slightly less ideal if you were the one who bought it!

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer V Longines Hydroconquest by Chisolm Hunter

 

HISTORY: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Part 4 (Other Watches)

The fourth and final part of the Aquaracer odyssey. 

OTHER WATCHES (Non Catalogue Pieces - Specific Years Unknown)

These are the watches that did not feature in any official TAG Heuer catalogue and for which I have been unable to pin down the specific year of manufacture. If it had been just a few models I might have been willing to make educated guesses but there are just too many and I would rather not litter these posts with inaccuracies unnecessarily. Better to show the pieces and give you the range of years those model lines were produced.

HISTORY: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Part 3 (2019-)

 

The third part of our in depth look at the history of the Aquaracer.

2019 CATALOGUE

Some interesting new pieces could be found in this catalogue, not least the stunning green dial Aquaracer available in both ladies and men's sizes. 

HISTORY: TAG Heuer Aquaracer - Part 2 (2013/2018)

 

We continue our look at the long and voluminous history of the Aquaracer, this time focusing on the years 2013-2018.

To visit part one of this post, please click the link below:

http://tagheuerenthusiast.blogspot.com/2022/08/history-tag-heuer-aquaracer-part-1.html

2013/2014 CATALOGUE

In 2013 TAG Heuer launched the CAK range of Aquaracers, including a 'Regatta' chronograph available on either a bracelet or a rubber strap in either standard or Team USA limited edition format. These watches only appeared in this one catalogue (and for several years were readily available at TAG Heuer's Bicester Village outlet). 

HISTORY: TAG Heuer Aquaracer - Part 1 (2004/2013)

 

While the Aquaracer was technically born in 2004, in truth the model was a continuation of the 2000 Series that had been in the catalogue for the previous 22 years - indeed, were it not for the name change, the 2000 Series would actually be celebrating an impressive 40 years of continuous production in 2022 (something neither the Monaco nor Carrera can lay claim to). If ever proof were needed of this fact, look no further than the 2005 Catalogue, which features no less than ten 2000 Series and 2000 Exclusive models being sold as Aquaracers! 

In addition, the (WAB style) Aquaracer appears in the 2004/2005 Catalogue as the 2000 Aquaracer, so it seems that originally it was intended to be another variation on the 2000 theme (2000 Sports, 2000 Exclusive, 2000 Tristar, etc) but then they dropped the 2000 name and just let the model continue as the Aquaracer. Maybe they just figured the 2000 name had had it's day and the Aquaracer sounded a lot cooler and a lot more 21st Century? Or maybe LVMH wanted to cut the ties to the pre-LVMH days and getting rid of the 2000 nomenclature was one more way of doing so.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer 2000 'Moondust' by Teleology Diary

 

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 'Gulf Edition' Chronograph

 

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TAG Heuer Boutique / Meadowall, Sheffield 18th June 2022

It's been a little while since I've had a Heuer 02 Monaco on my wrist, or any Monaco for that matter. In fact I think the last time I actually tried one on was February 2020 and that was a 37mm model with a white Mother of Pearl dial, a white strap and diamonds adorning the case. The last time I had a 'proper' Monaco on my wrist was December 2019, so it's perhaps not surprising that in the past two and a half years I had overinflated the size of the watch in my mind a bit. For sure it's not small, but neither is it an unwearable monster on my 7.1/2" wrist. In fact on re-acquaintance it seemed altogether quite reasonable!

And so we come to the new Gulf Monaco, a watch that received many positive words from the 'Council of Considered Opinion' on release, much to my surprise - seeing that it was replacing a Heuer branded Gulf, and one of the better ones the company has produced to date.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 'Orange Dial' Watch by Brent Miller Time

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Carrera 'Day/Date' Calibre 16 Chronograph

 
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In an age where we are constantly bombarded by new and exciting pieces, perhaps it's no great surprise that watches like this (which are perfectly nice in their own right) sneak onto the TAG Heuer website unannounced. I guess the fact is there isn't really too much to say about this watch as for the most part it carries over much of the design aesthetic from the previous model. Now based on the Carrera Sports case the size has increased by 1mm (to 44mm) and the typeface used for the 'minute' markers look a little more modern perhaps, but by and large it's a case of as you were.

But then again perhaps that's a bit harsh, it does now feature a ceramic bezel and the pushers and crown are a bit nicer than they were before but once again, purists will complain that these models aren't really Carreras with their stubby lugs and thick case. Of course these people probably wouldn't have bought the 43mm predecessor either, so their opinion is probably not that relevant...

VIDEO: Heuer Carrera Red Dial 'Heritage' Heuer 02 Chronograph by Time & Tide

 

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 'Titanium' Watch

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TAG Heuer Boutique / Meadowhall, Sheffield, 16th June 2022

It's been a little over a year since my first encounter with the WBP208B: back then of course we were still between bouts of 'Covid-lockdown' so it was an absolute treat to be able to go outside and look in the shops (albeit you had to stand outside and wait to be welcomed in past the velvet rope, which contrary to popular belief doesn't 'add to the experience' like you might think it would!). 

Back then I tried on this one, a new blue-dial Aquaracer I believe and I also had a look at the 36mm version with the silver dial. This was my favourite of the three, but even then it wasn't something that I was considering purchasing. For one thing, while I kind of like the green aesthetic, it is a very particular green, a very 'military' green if you like and not something that massively appeals to me. If I was going to buy a green watch I would want it to be much brighter, the original Aquaracer WAY2015 springs to mind - but of course they are sold out and now there are fakes everywhere... so that's out the window.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf H02 Special Edition and Carrera H02 Porsche Limited Edition by Watch Advisor

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 200 Professional Ladies Watch

 

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TAG Heuer has a long history of releasing teal dial watches, in the past these were most commonly 2000 Series pieces which featured the names of holiday destinations such as 'The Bahamas' or 'Bora Bora', but recently teal dials have been a bit thin on the ground. Well... I guess there was that limited edition 39mm heritage Carrera, although I think that was officially designated a 'green' dial.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Superdiver 1000M by Time & Tide

 

BUYING EXPERIENCE: TAG Heuer 2000 'Sports' Quartz Watch

 

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This is a watch that has been on my wants list for an extremely long time, but for one reason and another I didn't pick one up until now... or actually March this year. I'm not entirely sure why it's taken me this long to write about buying this one, but... ever since I discovered TAG Heuer's 2000 Sports range I have been intrigued by the difference an aluminium bezel and some unusual Arabic numerals could make to a watch. 

If you're not aware, the 2000 Sports came in four flavours: all blue, red/black, black/gold and white/black. It was also available in three different sizes; men's, midsize and ladies. I'm not too sure what sizes the midsize and ladies are but this one is your bog standard 37mm. I would imagine the midsize would be about 34mm and the ladies probably 28mm or something close to that.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Carrera Twin Time Calibre 7 Watch by NMwatch

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 'Macau' Limited Edition Chronograph

 

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Way back in the mists of time I believe I might have encountered a 'Macao' Calibre 5 Carrera (as seen below) at TAG Heuer's Bicester Village outlet. It was rather unremarkable, some might even say relatively tasteful in its execution with a plain silver dial decorated with the four suits of cards, 'Macao' and a fairly subtle 'limited edition' text line on the lower half... this model was limited to 200 pieces. 

Fast forward to 2022 and we have a new 'Macao' Carrera and again it's a limited edition, but this time just 20 pieces are available and instead of a Calibre 5 three hander we have a full on Heuer 02 chronograph. But this time, any notion of subtlety is best put to one side!

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Formula 1 Ladies Quartz by NeilPinkett

 

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Quartz Ladies Watch

 

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TAG Heuer Boutique / Meadowhall, Sheffield, 18th June 2022

This came as a pleasant surprise for my wife as we visited the TAG Heuer Meadowhall boutique just a couple of days after the watch appeared on the TAG Heuer website. She had already tried on the fumé dial version a few weeks ago and so it was interesting to see a slightly different version of the same watch, albeit both watches of course have the diamond hour markers. 

A lot of guys who talk about watches bitch about diamonds, and while I am sure there are some ladies who don't like diamonds on their watches (or Mother of Pearl come to that) there has to be a reason why watch companies persist in producing them ad nauseum. Or maybe it's that women buy them because that's all they get given? I don't know.... but I've never heard my wife ask if they make a watch without the diamonds. 

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Calibre 5 by Watch Expert Giorgia Mondani

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 'Purple Dial' Chronograph

 

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So here we are again, last year it was green and this year it's purple. Yup, purple. And believe it or not, this isn't the first purple Monaco ever. Sure, it's the first purple Monaco you can actually buy (although more on that in a moment), but there was actually a previous purple dial Monaco chronograph which came on what looks like a purple snakeskin strap. This, as you will know if you follow me on Instagram, was a piece unique that was made for the actress (and then TAG Heuer ambassador) Uma Thurman about 10 years ago. 

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 'Solargraph' by Time & Tide

 

PRICE LIST: TAG Heuer Price List (Jul 2022)

 

Time once again to catalogue the TAG Heuer range for posterity, and with it the current state of the prices. With all that's going on in the world it's not surprising to note that most of the range has increased in price somewhere in the order of 5%, but some things (noticeably the skeleton dial Carreras) have stayed put, while some of the most expensive pieces have jumped up quite considerably. For instance, the CAR5A5U Carrera tourbillon has gone from £20450 to £22500, a 10% hike! On a more down to Earth level, if you've been pondering purchasing the CBN2A1F 'Porsche' Carrera Special Edition on a bracelet, well I'm afraid your indecision has just cost you as for some reason that particular model has gone up from £5000 to £5450.

Not too much to report as far as models dropping out of the range goes, the main news here is that the entire Calibre 5 Autavia range has disappeared from the site, leaving only the three 2022 models behind (two Flyback Chronographs and the Calibre 7 GMT). Elsewhere we see the old Gulf Monaco and Formula 1 Indy 500 pieces making way for new releases. 

Blue text indicates new items, red text indicates price changes.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer 3000 Series Quartz Watch by Birth Year Watches

 

HISTORY: TAG Heuer Link - Part 2 (2012-)

 

As we discovered yesterday the TAG Heuer Link has a long history, too long for one post in fact! So here we go again, with yet more watches... and , it has to be said, an awful lot of Link Lady pieces!

For Part 1 of the History of the TAG Heuer Link, click the link below

http://tagheuerenthusiast.blogspot.com/2022/07/history-tag-heuer-link-part-1-1999-2012.html

HISTORY: TAG Heuer Link - Part 1 (1999-2012)

 

The TAG Heuer Link has had a rather up and down history, at one point in the early 00s, it was almost the 'go-to' TAG Heuer. As time went on the Link became less sporty and more dressy, but tastes have changed and the Link has sadly fallen out of favour. Indeed, the current Link line-up is pretty much the remnants of what was new five or six years ago. Where does the Link go from here?

As in previous 'History' posts all watches are quartz powered except as indicated:

(A) Automatic 

(C) Chronometer 

(S) Calibre S

VIDEO: TAG Heuer SLR Calibre S Quartz Chronograph by WatchBox Reviews

 

SPOTLIGHT ON: TAG Heuer Link Automatic 'Tiger Woods' Limited Edition Watch

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It's fair to say that the 'Link' series of watches doesn't get a lot of love these days, but back in the 00s the 'Link' was a pretty popular watch. Today the line has dwindled to a handful of pieces and seems destined for extinction or possibly retention only as a 'female' focussed range. Which is a shame really, but the seeds of change were perhaps sowed by Jean Claude Biver when he famously said in an interview that the 'Link' bracelet should just be a bracelet that could be used on other watches. Since then we've seen the famous bracelet used on several Formula 1 'Senna' models, but as for the Link range itself, except for a few ladies pieces there has been nothing new for years.

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Kirium Chronograph Restoration by Nekkid Watchmaker

 

FEATURE: Three Years On, Did I Buy The Watches I Thought I Wanted?

Way back in April 2019, I wrote a post where I listed ten watches that were on my radar as potential purchases. Some of them I did actually buy, but not all. I also produced the collage above for the top of the post which for some reason featured two watches that weren't in my top ten, maybe I changed my mind at the last minute or maybe I was trying to mislead my readers? Who knows. Anyway, let's find out which ones I bought and which ones didn't make the cut...

VIDEO: TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 'Dark Lord Tribute' by Time & Tide

 

SPOTLIGHT ON: New Arrivals at TAG Heuer Bicester Village

It's been a while since I've been able to bring you an update on the stock situation at Bicester Village, largely because the stock has been fairly static, but recently there has been an influx of Heuer 01 models which are currently being offered at a hefty discount of 40%!

VIDEO: The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Collection Gets Seriously Interesting by Time & Tide

 

ON THE WRIST: TAG Heuer Aquaracar Calibre 5 'Orange Dial' Watch

 

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TAG Heuer Boutique / Sheffield, 18th June 2022

It has to be said that the current generation of Aquaracer endured a difficult birth; let's not forget that way back in early 2021 the new style diver was met with howls of derision for (among other things) its circular 6 o'clock cyclops. Indeed, I recall one YouTuber staunchly claiming the watch was so bad it would definitely be redesigned before it hit the stores... which, if you think about it is a ludicrous suggestion. Because by the time Frederic took to the stage to announce the new watch you can be sure there were already thousands of them assembled and ready to leave the factory.

Even so, at the time the watch was regularly compared to the Audemars Piguet Code 11:59, not because of its looks, but because that was another watch that spluttered onto the world's stage only to be met with (at best) indifference and (let's not beat about the bush) wholesale mockery. God knows the watch world loves a disaster and loves to stick the boot in even more... and of course in this day and age that negativity spreads like wildfire through social media meaning potential customers are bombarded from the outset with 'opinions' based largely on nothing more than a photograph.