Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 40.5mm
I have mad respect for Jean-Claude Biver. He's a genius of the horology world and things he touch always turn to gold.
The latest of his accolade pile is Tag Heuer. Since his taking its helm, the marque has catapulted into the public watch-loving eye. Be you avid WIS, a tech-loving trendsetter looking for the next best smartwatch, or just someone looking for a nice piece of hardware to adorn your wrist, JCB's got you in his sights.
And so it didn't take long for one of his watches to catch my eye. Not that there's a lack of choice, but really because there's got to be a Tag Heuer watch out there that will strike your fancy.
The watch in question is the modest Aquracer, Tag Heuer's entry level automatic diver/racing watch hybrid.
The Good
One of JCB's guiding principles to his designers is this - to give the customer more value than he paid for. The Aquaracer certainly lives up to that decree.
Here's a summary of the thought process that went through my head when I sat down at the boutique to browse through Tag Heuer's selection.
I wonder what Tag Heuer is up to these days. Oh, that's a very handsome watch. And it feels nice and heavy in your hands. That dial! Time to ask for the price, though it probably will be out of budget. What?!
Silver and grey match extremely well on the beautifully made anthracite dial, its horizontal trenches setting the stage for the other details of its face. No expense is spare as we look around at the applied faceted indexes, hands and logo. In doing so, the watch manages to pull off an ideal blend of handsome gentlemanly charm and a robust sporty appeal.
The unidirectional bezel does little to upset the beauty on the dial, providing a mix of polished and brushed finish with the five minute markers engraved onto its surface. A single lume dot marks 12'O.
The quality you get from the watch continues onto its bracelet which is solidly made with brushed and polished surfaces on its three links.
Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with the finishing on this watch, coupled with its very affordable price.
The Bad
Inside this handsome creature beats the Tag Heuer Calibre 5 automatic movement, based off the ever popular ETA 2824-2. It's reliability and ease of use is coupled with the marque's finishing - Geneva stripes on the rotor, satin brushed finishing of the bridges and Tag Heuer calibre 5 name signed with engravings on the rotor.
A pity for it to be hidden underneath the solid caseback of the Aquaracer though. i would loved to admire the movement through an exhibition back.
While I understand that the whole deal about this watch is its legit sporting background, what with 30 bar water resistance, it could have made do with a little display back to suit the target audience. Let's just say I'm not buying it for its ability to dive.
The Verdict
The Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 40,5mm is a very hadnsome watch to own. Its versatility allows the owner to brandish its finely finished details at any occasion. All this for a very reasonable price point.
The watch is available in a variety of dial colors, and also recently launched itself in a larger 43mm case, complete with image overhaul. Check out the site for more details.
Tag Heuer Aquaracer
ref. WAY2113.BA0928 Tag Heuer Calibre 5 Automatic (modified ETA 2824) 28,800vph with 38hrs reserve 300m water resistance Central hour, minute and second hands Date indicator at 3'O Unidirectional bezel 40.5mm stainless steel case Engraved solid caseback The watch was listed at S$2,950