Tag Heuer’s Aquaracer lineup contains some of the best-looking and affordable luxury dive watches out there. There are several models to choose from, including both quartz and automatic versions.
We’re here to discuss the slightly more affordable quartz variety of the Aquaracer 300 m Chronograph.
With a stainless steel case and matching bracelet, this particular Aquaracer is rugged enough to handle any event, yet elegant enough to compliment any attire.
In other words, I’m a big fan of the Aquaracers.
If you’re looking for an affordable introduction to the world of luxury watches, Tag Heuer (and especially their Aquaracers) is a great choice.
But before you buy, it’s a good idea to do your homework- and that’s where this review comes in.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you should know to help you determine whether or not this is the right watch for your wrist.
Let’s get started.
Tag Heuer Quartz Aquaracer 300M Chronograph (CAY1110.BA0927)
Tag Heuer is an institution in the world of watchmaking. The Swiss brand started back in 1860 under the name Uhrenmanufaktur Heuer AG.
The Heuer brand played an important role in the progression of watchmaking over the decades, especially when it comes to precision time keeping (and chronographs).
The TAG group purchased majority control over the Heuer brand in 1985 and the brand we know today was born.
The company is still a well-respected, Swiss brand and they continue to offer tons of quality, great looking timepieces.
When it comes to luxury Swiss watches, Tag Heuer falls on the more affordable side with most of their watches costing between $1000- $8000 (although they do have some special editions that will cost ya over $20,000).
The Aquaracers are some of their most popular watches because they look great, function well, and won’t break the bank.
I own an older model of the Quartz Aquaracer we’re discussing here and I love it. I’ve had it for about 7 years or so and it’s still going strong.
Movement
The movement, or caliber, of a watch refers to how it is powered. Watch movements can be quartz, meaning they use a battery, or mechanical, meaning they don’t.
This particular Aquaracer is of the quartz variety, meaning it does require a batter to operate.
I know a lot of serious watch folks look down on quartz watches because they don’t offer the same history and craftsmanship that mechanical movements do, but quartz watches still have their place.
For one, quartz movements tend to be significantly cheaper than their mechanical (automatic) counterparts. After all, you’re going to have to pay for all the extra man hours it takes to design and build those automatic movements.
Second, quartz watches are usually significantly lighter on the wrist- again, using a battery cuts down on the number of necessary mechanical parts.
Having a lighter watch can be a big advantage, especially considering the Aquaracer is a diving watch. This timepiece is designed to be worn during diving and other athletic events where it may be more comfortable to have a lighter piece on your wrist.
Tag’s quartz watches are very accurate, so that shouldn’t be an issue, but you will have to replace the battery every 2-3 years or so. You should take your Tag in and let a jeweler replace the battery for ya.
Case
The case on this quartz Aquaracer is made out of stainless steel and measures 43 mm in diameter, putting it right in the sweet spot where most men will feel comfortable.
At 43 mm, it’s a substantial case, but very wearable.
The polished steel case looks great and is tough enough to handle any bumps or dings that might come your way.
It comes with a solid back with Tag’s scuba diver helmet icon inscribed on it (which looks really cool) and a large, steel screw down crown.
Since the Aquaracer is a functioning diver’s watch, the case is encircled by a uni-directional bezel that can be used as a convenient dive timer- simply rotate it until the white dot is lined up with the minute hand and the large numerals on the bezel will indicate how long you’ve been underwater.
Do you know why dive watches come with uni-directional bezels?
It’s so you don’t accidentally bump your wrist while underwater and underestimate how much air you’ve got left- very smart.
Speaking of diving, this watch is water proof to 300 m, which is quite impressive for any watch.
Overall, the case on this Aquaracer is durable and quite masculine in appearance. It really is the classic men’s dive watch.
Dial
This Aquaracer comes with a black dial with white, luminescent markers at each hour. The contrast makes it easy to check the time in any lighting and personally, I think it looks great.
There’s a date window at 12 o’clock as well as 3 windows on the dial for the seconds, minutes (up to 30), and 1/10th seconds.
This watch has a chronograph (stopwatch) function, allowing you to time events accurately. Starting and stopping the timer is done with the push of one of the two buttons, reseting the timer is done by pushing the other.
The long second hand functions when you turn the chronograph on, otherwise you’ll use the inner second window during normal function.
Cosmetically speaking, I like the little pop of red on the 1/10th second timer- my older model was lacking this splash of color and I think it works nicely against the dark dial.
The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal, meaning it’s darn near scratch proof.
Overall, I think the dial on this Aquaracer looks great. I like the use of the 3 windows, I think it gives the face a defined look without being too busy.
Band
This quartz Aquaracer comes with a stainless steel band that perfectly matches the steel case. It comes with a fine brushed steel buckle with release clasp that makes donning and doffing the watch easy.
The bracelet comes with extra length, which comes in handy if you’re actually planning on diving with this watch on because it’ll fit around your diving suit.
If you’re like me, and have never dived a day in your life, you may have to have some of the links removed in order to get a snugger fit.
But that can be easily done at your local jeweler’s shop.
Some Aquaracers come with colorful rubber bands that give it a more playful look, but I prefer the classic stainless steel bracelet (especially since I find myself wearing mine more for casual wear than actual sports activities).
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a nice introduction to the world of luxury watches, Tag Heuer’s 43 mm Aquaracer is a wonderful choice.
The classic stainless steel case and matching bracelet allow this watch to fit with any look, regardless of how casual or formal the occasion may be.
But as a fully functioning dive watch, the Aquaracer can also stand up to any sporting event you can throw at it. The steel case and highly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal will keep your watch safe regardless of what land activities you get yourself into.
And with the ability to handle going 300 m under water, it’ll work well with legit divers too.
Even though automatic watches are getting all the hype these days, Tag Heuer’s Aquaracer is good proof that there are still high-end quartz timepieces out there.
And let’s be real- every watch we own doesn’t have to be automatic. There’s nothing wrong with owning a nice, lighter weight quartz model that you know will keep running even if you go weeks without wearing it.
Overall, I’ve loved mine for the last several years and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Tag’s Aquaracer will always have a place in my regular rotation.
