Tag Heuer is not a brand that I have given a lot of thought to, nor have we really featured them here on these pages. Of course, I am guessing that many, if not all, of you are aware of the brand as I am. Just recently, they came out with a new version of their dive watch, and that’s what we will be discussing today. So, on with the show – it’s time to take a look at the Tag Heuer AquaRacer Ceramic.
Quite obviously, the bezel on the Tag Heuer AquaRacer Ceramic is a big selling point for the watch. The insert is ceramic, which has certainly become a more popular option – generally reserved for higher-end pieces, such as this one, but we have seen it on more affordable watches (such as the Borealis Sea Hawk). The bezel design itself is a bit unique as well – it is a twelve-sided one that, rather than expecting you to grab it on a point to turn it, actually has six studs on the outside (in the photos here, they are at the odd hour marks) to grip on to. Ostensibly, this is so you can set the bezel while wearing gloves, but it also means that you’ll be able to grip and turn it just fine with bare hands.
They do have a black bezel insert on some of the Calibre 16 equipped models, but I find myself drawn more to those with the Calibre 5 (which also has a black insert, we just don’t have pictures of it on the watch). This is a simple three-hander with date (above which is a cyclops, which I have grown to like). As you would expect on a watch of this price level, everything is sorted just right on the dial – handets are appropriately sized and easy to read against the dial, text is kept minimal, and there is a subtle dimensionality to the dial.
The same can be said for the Tag Heuer AquaRacer Ceramic models with the Calibre 16 movement, which is a chronograph. You do of course get the additional subdials, but these make things look no more or no less complicated than any other chrono out there. Both models (whether three-hander or chrono) are automatic, feature a 300m WR rating, a steel 43mm case (there is an option for a titanium case; two variants offer a 41mm case), solid caseback, and a sapphire crystal.
While this is not a brand I had really given much thought to previously, I have to say that the Tag Heuer AquaRacer Ceramic is a rather attractive dive watch. Pricing for the three-hander starts at $2,400 on a nylon strap (going with the bracelet adds another $150), and the chronograph goes for $3,500 on a strap (again, another $150 for the bracelet). If you opt for a titanium case rather than steel, the three-hander goes to $3,000, with the chronograph commanding $4,050. Pricey when compared to the dive watches we normally bring to your attention? You betcha! That said, there is something about the style, finishing, and overall aesthetic of these watches that drew me in. tagheuer.com
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Tag Heuer AquaRacer Ceramic
- Price: $2,400 – $4,050
- Who we think it might be for: You are looking for an upgrade to your dive watch that matches the promotion you just got
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: If price were no object, yes, I could see that
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: If I’m picking just one detail, it’s the bezel with it’s ceramic insert and gripping studs
