TAG Heuer’s most impressive tool watch has copped a serious upgrade. The Swiss luxury watchmaker has added eight new timepieces to the criminally underrated Aquaracer Professional 300 lineup, comprising both Date and GMT models. Better still, the new releases tackle one of the range’s most fervent criticisms, shaving the traditional 43mm diameter down to a more manageable 42mm. Sleeker, stronger and more versatile than ever before, TAG Heuer may well have hit this one out of the park.
In recent years, the Aquaracer lineup has served as an interesting playground for TAG Heuer’s innovation and development efforts. We’ve seen the watchmaker toy with sizes, complications and even power sources with the Solargraph, but at its core, the Aquaracer remains the brand’s true ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ tool watch.
“Aquaracer is really the one that shows that you can also push the limits, push the boundaries,” TAG Heuer CEO Julien Tornare tells Man of Many. “These new models we are launching are very nice in terms of redesign, in terms of the solargraph technologies, also a fantastic one that gives a new noblesse, if I may say, to the quartz and also a very cool story around it. Aquaracer is really the one and there will be more and more talked about it.”
At first glance, the 2024 models don’t necessarily challenge the status quo, with TAG Heuer instead opting to double down on the Aquaracer’s hallmarks of precision and design. The 12-facet unidirectional rotating bezel (bidirectional on the GMT) remains front and centre, the diving helmet engraving sits proudly on the case back, and the lumed ceramic inserts are fittingly matched with the colour-corresponding dials in either black, blue or green.
Naturally, TAG Heuer has again played up the connection between the lineup and the ocean, with the dials now featuring a dynamic wave pattern. It’s a small update, but this element helps to give the lineup a little more life, working in tandem with the new dial colours to reinforce the multi-use components at work.
“The colours chosen pay tribute to the mesmerizing depths of the ocean and its variant shades, offering options in black, blue and green that reflect the beauty of the underwater world,” TAG Heuer wrote. “Among them, the vibrant blue hue adorning the second-hand holds a special significance – it represents the last visible colour underwater, seamlessly blending with the spirit of exploration embodied by the diving watch.”
As alluded to, buyers can now choose from either a date-only model or a date with GMT functionality, the latter of which does appear to be the standout piece. This edition features a two-toned bezel, again in scratch-resistant ceramic, complete with a 24-hour GMT scale and a GMT hand in either blue or green. According to the maison, the minute track has also been updated to enhance legibility alongside a more prominent hour hand.
While the new colours and dial designs are certainly upgrades for the lineup, the major boost for 2024 lies underneath. Unlike its Monaco and Carrera stablemates, which are powered by the Heuer 02, the 2024 Aquaracer Professional 300 collection uses TAG Heuer’s TH31 automatic movement and TH31-03 for the GMT.
The 4 Hz movement offers a solid 80 hours of power reserve and, most importantly, is COSC-certified for precision timekeeping. Throw a water resistance of 300 metres, and it’s easy to see why TAG Heuer is plugging its adventure credentials. A tool-watch with a high-precision movement, enhanced legibility and a beating heart built for exploration, the 2024 Aquaracer makes a compelling argument for the ultimate everyday diver.
The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date and Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT models will be available starting this month. The collections are not limited, with the Date models priced at AUD$5,200, while the GMT models start from AUD$5,200.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date
- Brand: TAG Heuer
- Model: Aquaracer Professional 300 Date
- Reference: Ref. WBP5110.FT6257 / Ref. WBP5111.FT6259 / Ref. WBP5110.BA0013 / Ref. WBP5111.BA0013 / Ref. WBP5116.BA0013
- Movement: Calibre TH31-00
- Diameter: 42mm
- Water-Resistance: 300m
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Price: 3,500 CHF (AUD$5,200)
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT
- Brand: TAG Heuer
- Model: Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT
- Reference: Ref. WBP5114.FT6259 / Ref. WBP5114.BA0013 / Ref. WBP5115.BA0013
- Movement: Calibre TH31-03
- Diameter: 42mm
- Water-Resistance: 300m
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Price: 3,900 CHF (AUD$5,200) / 4,100 CHF (AUD$6,100) / 4,100 CHF (AUD$6,100)
