TAG Heuer seems to maintain its successful graphic in the diver's watches segment with the Aquaracer Professional 300, which has been almost entirely reworked within the scope of 2021 innovations.
Although the name TAG Heuer is associated with motorsport and, as a result, chronograph models, it is possible to find many successful diver watches in the history of the well-established brand. In addition to the modern Aquaracer models that were in my collection for a while, the Aquagraph and the legendary Super Professional 1000M are just some of them.
The brand, which presented its novelties to the watch lovers at the Watches & Wonders 2021 trade show that ended in the previous weeks, attracted great attention with the new versions of the successful model family Aquaracer Professional 300. The model, which received full marks from watch enthusiasts in terms of price/performance as well as its good looks, is under the spotlight.
The case, which has been re-designed for the new model family, is still 43mm in diameter as in its predecessor, but it stands out with small touches. First of all, the case, now featuring sharper lines and new crown guards, gained a very masculine stance. The bezel, which preserves its classic dodecagonal form, gets a simpler look by getting rid of the tabs in the corners without compromising functionality thanks to its serrated edges. The case sports a sapphire crystal with a date display magnifying cyclops at 6 o'clock on the front side and a solid stainless steel case back with the model family-specific old diver’s helmet figure at the back. Equipped with a screw-lock winding crown, the new case is also water-resistant to 300 meters like its predecessors.
The dial of the new model also hosts the parallel line pattern that we know from previous versions. The background, which resembles the teak wood surface found on the boat decks, hosts octagonal and rectangular hour markers along with thick baton-style hands. There is a date window at 6 o'clock on the dial, which offers excellent readability in almost any environment, including dark waters, thanks to the Super-LumiNOVA phosphor filling.
The Caliber 5, which we remember from many three-hands automatic models of the brand, operates in the new model. Sellita SW-200-1 based movement, which is known for being as easy to service as its robustness, offers up to 38 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
The new Aquaracer Professional 300 comes with a new stainless steel bracelet, which suits the other updates. At the tip of the three-link bracelet is a TAG Heuer signed folding clasp, which allows micro-adjustment.
The list price determined for the model, scheduled to reach sales points by June 2021, retails for EUR 2,850, which is very competitive according to its segment.
