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.
TAG Heuer 2000 Series Quartz
Regardless of the reason, you only have to look at the early models to see that the changeover was little more than a rebranding exercise with the new watch a very obvious progression of what had gone before - though ironically the aforementioned 2000 Aquaracer was the one 'Aquaracer' that did look a bit different with it's smooth, round bezel and 1000 Series-ish hour markers!
The 2000 Series was (and remains) very popular, and with good reason... as I said when I wrote my 'History of the 2000 Series' a few months ago, there is a sound argument that for many people the 2000 Series represents the 'quintessential' TAG Heuer timepiece.
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As with my other 'History' posts, this one is arranged by year. In hindsight that might not have been the best way to do it since I didn't really expect there to be so many models which I couldn't pin down to a specific year. To be honest if I did it again I would probably split it into model ranges (WAB / WAN / WAY / etc), but by the time I realised this I had already poured way too many hours into the project and was not remotely minded to start over.
This has been an epic task, at least six months, probably longer. I can't quite believe I've come to the end of it (or rather brought it up to date, since obviously there is no 'end' as the Aquaracer is still evolving). I hope you enjoy browsing the hundreds of watches on display here. Much to my annoyance the post was physically too big for the 'Blogger.com' system, so I was forced to split it into first three and ultimately four parts. To make things easier for future viewing I will link each of the posts together with links at the top and bottom of the pages.
The three remaining posts will be:
Part 2: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 2013/2018
Part 3: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 2019-
Part 4: TAG Heuer Aquaracer - Other Watches (2004-)
The last part will show all the watches that I have been unable to assign to a definite year, and also features a list of every Special Edition / Limited Edition complete with production numbers.
Finally, one more little bit of information before we begin...
(A) = Automatic
(C) = Chronometer certified
(S) = Calibre S (electro-mechanical)
All other (unmarked) models have 'quartz' movements.
2004/2005 CATALOGUE
It was in the 2004 catalogue that we first got to see the new Aquaracer, or to be more precise, the '2000 Aquaracer'. This title was only ever given to the WAB style watches with the circular bezel with the aluminium insert. At this time the 2000 Series and 2000 Exclusive models were still in the catalogue and this was considered an 'extension' of that 2000 model range. Only six models were available at this time, four quartz and two automatics: note that the automatics were 2.5mm larger than the quartz models.
WAB1110.BA0800: 38.5mm, black dial, black bezel insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAB1111.BA0801: 38.5mm, silver dial, silver bezel insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAB1112.BA0801: 38.5mm, blue dial, blue bezel insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAB2010.BA0804: 41mm, black dial, black bezel insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
WAB2011.BA0803: 41mm, blue dial, blue bezel insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
2005 CATALOGUE
The 2005 Catalogue introduced a slew of new 'Aquaracer' models, but also retained several 2000/2000 Executive models under the Aquaracer banner. Since the watches themselves contain no reference to their model name it would have been relatively easy for TAG Heuer to re-assign all the leftover 2000 stock as Aquaracers; which may explain why my wife always believed her blue dial 2000 Series (which I bought for her in 2005) was an Aquaracer, there's every possibility that it was sold as such by the jeweller!
CAF1111.BA0803: 41mm, silver/blue dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
CAF1112.BA0803: 41mm, blue/silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1110.FT8009: 39mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap
WAF1111.BA0801: 39mm, white dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1112.FT8009: 39mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap
WAF1113.BA0801: 39mm, blue dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1123.BB0807: 39mm, black dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet
WAF141B.BA0813: 27mm, pink MOP/diamond dial, steel/dia bezel, steel case and bracelet
WAF1410.BA0812: 27mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1415.BA0813: 27mm, MOP dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1416.BA0813: 27mm, MOP dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1417.BA0812: 27mm, MOP dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1418.BA0812: 27mm, MOP dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1419.BA0813: 27mm, MOP dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1424.BB0814: 27mm, white dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet
WAF1425.BB0814: 27mm, MOP dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet
WAF2111.BA0806: 39mm, silver 'Clous de Paris' dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
WAF2112.BA0806: 39mm, blue 'Clous de Paris' dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
2006 CATALOGUE
A small but significant update to the Aquaracer range saw the introduction of Calibre 16 automatic and TAG Heuer's own in-house Calibre S 'Regatta' quartz chronographs.
CAF2111.BA0809: 41mm, silver dial, silver/steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
CAF2112.BA0809: 41mm, blue dial, blue/steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
CAF7110.BA0803: 42mm, blue dial, blue insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (S)
CAF7111.BA0803: 42mm, anthracite dial and insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (S)
2006/2007 CATALOGUE
The 2006/7 catalogue introduced a few new pieces alongside some strap options for models that were already in the range. Of note were a new quartz alarm piece and the addition of three new Calibre 16 day/date models. It is also worth noting that even three years after the demise of the 2000 Series, two ladies 2000 Exclusive models were still being shown under the Aquaracer banner, as was the 500M Aquagraph (formerly known as the '2000 Aquagraph').
CAF1111.FT8010: 41mm, silver/blue dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap
WAF111Z.BA0801: 38.5mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (alarm)
CAF2010.BA0815: 43mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet (A)
CAF2010.FT8011: 43mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case, black rubber strap (A)
CAF2011.BA0815: 43mm, silver dial, silver/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet (A)
CAF2012.BA0815: 43mm, blue dial, blue/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet (A)
CAF2120.BB0816: 43mm, silver dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet (A)
WAF141H.BA0813: 27mm, pink MOP/diamond dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1414.BA0812: 27mm, mother of pearl dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1450.BB0814: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, gold/dia bezel, two tone case and bracelet
2007/2008 CATALOGUE
2007 brought a new line of larger 32mm ladies Aquaracers and also the super cool 'Chronotimer' which used the digital/anologue movement previously found in the equally spiffy F1 Kirium.
CAF1010.FT8011: 43mm, black/digital dial, black/steel bezel, steel case, rubber strap
WAF1310.BA0817: 32mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1312.BA0817: 32mm, silver/diamond dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1313.BA0819: 32mm, silver/dia dial, dia/steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF141G.BA0813: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1451.BB0814: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet
2007/2008 WATCHES (Not in Catalogue)
I found an article featuring the China Team Aquaracer from 2007 and we know the Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso watches must have come out in 2007 because it was the only year that they raced together at the McLaren Mercedes F1 team.
While I can't find any record of the CAF7112 (China Team) Aquaracer being sold on a rubber strap, I know I have seen one at the TAG Heuer Bicester Village outlet. Of course it's entirely possible that the bracelet was lost or damaged somehow and they decided to put it on rubber instead. Not sure if that makes it an official model or not...?
CAF7112.FT8010: 41mm, black dial, red/grey insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap L/E (S)*
CAF7113.BA0803: 41mm, grey dial, grey insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet L/E (S)
CAF7113.FT8010: 41mm, grey dial, grey insert, steel bezel and case, black strap L/E (S)
CAF7114.FT8010: 41mm, grey dial, grey insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap L/E (S)
CAF101B.FT8011: 43mm, silver dial, silver/steel bezel, steel case, black rubber strap
WAF1010.BA0822: 41mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet
WAF1320.BB0820: 32mm, MOP/diamond dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet
CAF5010.BA0815: 43mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet (C)
WAF141A.BA0824: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1450.BB0825: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, gold/dia bezel, two tone case and bracelet
WAJ1113.FT6015: 43mm, orange dial, black insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap
CAP2110.BA0833: 42mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
CAP2111.FT6028: 42mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap (A)
CAP2120.BB0834: 42mm, silver dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet (A)
WAP1111.FT6029: 39mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap
WAJ2119.BA0870: 43mm, black dial and insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet L/E (A)
WAK2110.BA0830: 41mm, black dial and insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
2008/2009 CATALOGUE
Plenty of new models featured in the 2008/2009 catalogue, including for the first time 'non-Regatta' Calibre S pieces such as (my own personal favourite) the yellow dial CAF7013. Incidentally this was the only catalogue the yellow dial Calibre S appears in, suggesting it was a 2008/2009 only novelty.
CAF101A.BA0821: 43mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet
CAF101A.FT8011: 43mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case, black rubber strap
CAF101B.BA0821: 43mm, silver dial, silver/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet
CAF101C.BA0821: 43mm, blue dial, blue/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet
CAF101D.BA0821: 43mm, yellow dial, black/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet
CAF7010.BA0815: 43mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet (S)
CAF7010.FT8011: 43mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case, black rubber strap (S)
CAF7013.BA0815: 43mm, yellow dial, black/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet (S)
CAF7011.BA0815: 43mm, silver dial, silver/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet (S)
CAF7011.FT8011: 43mm, silver dial, silver/steel bezel, steel case, black rubber strap (S)
CAF7012.BA0815: 43mm, blue dial, blue/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet (S)
CAF7013.FT8011: 43mm, yellow dial, black/steel bezel, steel case, black rubber strap (S)
WAF1010.FT8010: 41mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case, black rubber strap
WAF1011.BA0822: 41mm, silver dial, silver/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet
WAF1012.BA0822: 41mm, yellow dial, black/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet
WAF1012.FT8010: 41mm, yellow dial, black/steel bezel, steel case, black rubber strap
WAF2010.BA0818: 41mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case and bracelet (A)
WAF2010.FT8010: 41mm, black dial, black/steel bezel, steel case, black rubber strap (A)
WAF2011.FT8010: 41mm, silver dial, silver/steel bezel, steel case, black rubber strap (A)
2009/2010 CATALOGUE
2009/2010 was an extremely busy catalogue for the Aquaracer, not only did TAG Heuer issue the new WAJ series of 500M divers, but they also replaced the original WAB series Aquaracer with the WAN and CAN models. On top of this they also issued new bracelets for pretty much the entire ladies range, which all adds up to a hell of a lot of new pieces.
CAN1010.BA0821: 43mm, black dial, black insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet
CAN1011.BA0821: 43mm, blue dial, blue insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF141B.BA0824: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, steel/dia bezel, steel case and bracelet
WAF141G.BA0824: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial. steel/dia bezel, steel case and bracelet
WAF141H.BA0824: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, steel/dia bezel, steel case and bracelet
WAF1410.BA0823: 27mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1411.BA0823: 27mm, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1415.BA0824: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1416.BA0824: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, steel/dia bezel, steel case and bracelet
WAF1417.BA0823: 27mm, MOP dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1418.BA0823: 27mm, MOP dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1419.BA0824: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1420,BB0825: 27mm, silver dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet
WAF1424.BB0825: 27mm, MOP dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet
WAF1425.BB0825: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet
WAF1451.BB0825: 27mm, MOP/diamond dial, gold/dia bezel, two tone case and bracelet
WAJ1110.FT6015: 43mm, black dial, black insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap
WAJ1111.BA0870: 43mm, grey dial, black insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAJ1111.FT6015: 43mm, grey dial, black insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap
WAJ1112.BA0870: 43mm, blue dial, blue insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAJ1113.BA0870: 43mm, orange dial, black insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAJ2110.BA0870: 43mm, black dial, black insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
WAJ2110.FT6015: 43mm, black dial, black insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap (A)
WAJ2111.FT6015: 43mm, grey dial, black insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap (A)
WAJ2112.BA0870: 43mm, blue dial, blue insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
WAJ2116.BA0871: 43mm, blue dial/insert. steel bezel, case & bracelet (NRDC L/E) (A)
WAJ2116.FT6022: 43mm, blue dial/insert. steel bezel & case, blue strap (NRDC L/E) (A)
WAJ2150.BA0870: 43mm, black dial, gold bezel, steel case and bracelet (A)
WAJ2150.FT6015: 43mm, black dial, gold bezel, steel case, black rubber strap (A)
WAN2111.BA0822: 41mm, blue dial, blue insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
2009 WATCHES (Not in Catalogue)
The WAJ series Aquaracers issued in collaboration with Leonardo di Caprio were released with two different dials, only one of which was shown in the catalogue, below we see the alternate NRDC versions.
WAJ2115.BA0871: 43mm, blue dial, blue insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (L/E) (A)
WAJ2115.FT6015: 43mm, blue dial, blue insert, steel bezel/case, rubber strap (L/E) (A)
WAJ2115.FT6022: 43mm, blue dial, blue insert, steel bezel/case rubber strap (L/E) (A)
2010/2011 CATALOGUE
CAF101E.BA0821: 43mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
CAF101F.FT8011: 43mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap
Another fairly busy year for the Aquaracer, which included the release of the first ever coated Aquaracer in the WAJ2180.FT6015 with its striking black and lime-green colour scheme.
CAF101E.FT8011: 43mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap
CAF101F.BA0821: 43mm, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
CAJ2110.FT6023: 43mm, black dial and insert, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap (A)
WAF1014.BA0822: 41mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1014.FT8010: 41mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap
WAF1015.BA0822: 41mm, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF1015.FT8010: 41mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap
WAJ2180.FT6015: 43mm, black dial and insert, coated titanium bezel and case, rubber strap (A)
WAP2010.BA0830: 41mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
WAP2011.BA0830: 41mm, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
2011 WATCHES (Not in Catalogue)
A handful of interesting extras to add here, most notable being the 'Malpelo Foundation' Aquaracer which features a shark on its 'Clous de Paris' dial.
WAF111S.BA0810: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAF111T.BA0810: 38mm, silver (shark) dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (Limited Edition)
CAJ2180.FT6023: 43mm, black dial, black insert, black PVD bezel & case, rubber strap (A)
WAP2013.BA0830: 42mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (Limited Edition) (A)
2011/2012 CATALOGUE
After the initial launch of the two automatic WAP models in 2010, 2011 saw the rollout of the CAP chronograph Aquaracers and an expansion of the WAP range, including the 39mm quartz models.
CAP2110.FT6028: 42mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap (A)
CAP2111.BA0833: 42mm, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
CAP2112.BA0833: 42mm, blue dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
CAP2112.FT6028: 42mm, blue dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap (A)
WAP1110.BA0831: 39mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAP1110.FT6029: 39mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap
WAP1111.BA0831: 39mm, silver dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAP1112.BA0831: 39mm, blue dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet
WAP1112.FT6029: 39mm, blue dial, steel bezel and case, black rubber strap
WAP111Z.BA0831: 39mm, black dial, steel bezel, case and bracelet (alarm)
WAP1120.BB0832: 39mm, silver dial, golds bezel, two tone case and bracelet
2012/2013 CATALOGUE
Expansion in this catalogue was confined to a bunch of limited editions in the CAJ/WAJ range and also the launch of yet another Aquaracer variant, this time the 41mm 500M WAK range.
CAJ2111.FT6036: 43mm, black dial and insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap L/E (A)
CAJ2112.BA0872: 43mm, black dial and insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet L/E (A)
WAJ2118.BA0870: 43mm, black dial and insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet L/E (A)
WAJ2118.FT6015: 43mm, black dial and insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap L/E (A)
WAJ2119.FT6015: 43mm, black dial and insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap L/E (A)
WAK2110.FT6027: 41mm, black dial and insert, steel bezel and case, rubber strap (A)
WAK2111.BA0830: 41mm, blue dial and insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (A)
WAK2121.BB0835: 41mm, gold dial, black insert, gold bezel, two tone case and bracelet (A)
WAK2180.FT6027: 41mm, black dial/insert, coated titanium bezel and case, rubber strap (A)
2012 WATCHES (Not in Catalogue)
Finally, for this first part, we have a couple of pieces made in collaboration with the Japanese 'One Piece' Manga series (note the small skull and crossbones logos on the dial at the 10 position).
CAN1012.BA0821: 42mm, black dial, black insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (L/E)
WAN2114.BA0822: 41mm, black dial, black insert, steel bezel, case and bracelet (L/E) (A)To visit Part Two please click the link below:
To visit Part Three please click the link below:
To visit Part Four please click the link below:
To visit the 'History' post menu, please click the link below:
I own a TAG Heuer WAF1111.BA0801. Thank your for the detail and efford on the catalog. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, hope you find plenty to keep you entertained
DeleteRob
How much would a first generation NOS Aquaracer WAF1110.BA0800 go for nowdays? I happen to have one!
ReplyDeleteHi, kinda hard to say. It's not an especially rare model or anything. A quick look at Chrono 24 suggests £500-750 is the norm, so I imagine top end of that?
DeleteRob
Oh great Rob. Thanks for the advice. I indeed had a look at chrono 24 but there is no New Old Stock in there like mine. The watch hasn't even been tried on. The stickers are on the buckle on the dial and on the back case.
DeleteHi, I have a CAF101F RKZ5342. I believe it's a fake. Can you guys confirm please
ReplyDeleteMy father bought a WAF 2112 BA0806, its really beautiful when I first saw it in my father's table. It became my dream lover for a long time, and when I reached adulthood, my father gave this watch to me. I think I will take care of it.
ReplyDeleteI have a caj2110 RPT4141 (not listed above) the rubber bezel insert has fallen off (lost) do you have any idea where I could get one or a near as possible, thanks for your effort with the list :)
ReplyDeleteYour best bet is to contact your local AD. TAG Heuer have good stocks of spares for their watches and going back quite a long way. I am sure they will still have this part as it fits quite a lot of different WAJ models.
DeleteRob