TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 45 Automatic Chronograph 43mm
The silvery-white dial of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 45 Automatic Chronograph 43mm reminds Angus Davies of a great white shark and its prowess at living beneath the waves. As Angus reveals, this competitively priced watch is not solely suited to its role beneath the ocean’s waves but also to life on terra firma.
This detailed review of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 45 Automatic Chronograph 43mm includes live images, specification details and price.
Meeting a great white shark beneath the ocean sounds terrifying. Its legend for stealthily moving at speed through waters and voraciously consuming its prey has been heightened by the silver screen of Hollywood.
Beyond its menacing status, this is a creature which is ideally suited to its environment. Great white sharks are the largest predatory fish on Earth. They grow to an average length of 4.6 metres, although some have been known to reach 6 metres and weigh circa 2200 Kgs. Their powerful tails can propel them at speeds of 24 km/h, in short spurts this can increase to 40 km/h when their prey is within reach.
Appraising the great shark, its ‘specification’ as a predatory fish is ideally suited to its role. Three hundred sharp serrated teeth lacerate flesh with consummate ease. Moreover, the great white is equipped with organs capable of detecting blood in water up to 5 kilometres away.
This preamble brings me to the latest TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 45 Automatic Chronograph 43mm, it is also ideally suited to life beneath the ocean’s waves. Its specification is intended to meet the needs of those who choose to partake in aquatic sports, but who equally live life to the full on terra firma.
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 45 Automatic Chronograph 43mm, as the name implies, has a maximum water resistance of 300 metres.
I have a predilection for the robust character of divers’ watches. Their hewn from granite solidity proves very practical. The tolerance to water is ideal for an occasional dip in the swimming pool or a vigorous gym session.
Another genre of watch I have a penchant for selecting is chronographs. The facility to time everyday events is useful and I also enjoy pressing the pushpieces and interacting with the movement.
Based on the combination of diver’s watch and chronograph, I felt drawn to the handsome lines of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 45 Automatic Chronograph 43mm and a ‘hands-on’ encounter soon ensued.
The dial
Whilst the dial is described by TAG Heuer as silver, I would describe it as silvery-white, reminiscent of the underside of the aforementioned great white. The polished and faceted hour and minute hands are lined with white luminescent material and, in combination with the dial canvas, proffer a calm aesthetic.
The tri-compax layout includes a small running seconds at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour chronograph register at 6 o’clock and a 30-minute chronograph register at 9 o’clock. All three subdials employ snailed detail to their centres, paired with Arabic numerals. The periphery of each subdial is smooth and marked with subtle black strokes. Arabic numerals are combined with polished hands to impart the relevant information.
The hours are denoted with triangular, faceted applied indexes, again lined with luminescent material. Gracing the periphery of the dial is a minute track, marked with neat black lines which collaborate with the lithe central chronograph seconds hand to indicate the elapsed seconds with laser-like accuracy.
Positioned below noon, a big date display provides a further indulgence for the delectation of watch collectors. The big date, displayed via two apertures, proves simple to read and its twin disc approach usurps the comparatively ubiquitous single disc date displays often positioned at 3 or 4 o’clock.
Framing the date display is a silver toned, dual-aperture window providing a wonderful depth to proceedings. Indeed, with this timepiece TAG Heuer repeatedly plays with the different heights of the dial elements to successfully bestow a sense of luxury.
TAG Heuer has always been adept at creating highly lucid dial configurations and the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 45 Automatic Chronograph 43mm proves to be no exception. It is an exemplar of clarity.
The case
The 43mm stainless steel case delivers wonderful wrist presence, evincing masculinity from every angle. Despite its muted tones, onlookers cannot fail to notice its generous height and the highly polished elements of its case. Nevertheless, despite the case thickness, it sits comfortably upon the wrist and the push pieces and crown do not rub or impinge free movement of the wrist.
On the bezel, case and bracelet, TAG Heuer has cleverly blended fine-brushed elements and highly polished surfaces. The result is a watch which exudes style and versatility, perfectly complementing casual or formal attire.
The screw-in crown and push pieces are highly polished, adding a tasteful flourish of brilliance to the overall design.
Above noon, a small luminescent dot sits on the bezel, aiding legibility in restricted light.
The bracelet is beautifully executed with a solidity to its construction, proffering a pleasing tactility to each constituent part. The ‘H-shape’ bracelet, once again, blends highly polished and fine-brushed polished surfaces.
The folding clasp is solely fine-brushed which is a sensible idea. This is a part on all watches which is most likely to become scratched. Compared to highly polished surfaces, it is relatively simple to remove superficial marks from satin-brushed and fine-brushed surfaces. The clasp is equipped with a ‘diving extension’, reinforcing the divers’ watch credentials.
The movement
The self-winding Calibre 45 movement has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz), contains 54 jewels and a power reserve of 40 hours. The oscillating mass is adorned with Côtes de Genève motif.
In common with most divers’ watches, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 45 Automatic Chronograph 43mm has a solid screw-in caseback engraved with a diving bell motif.
Closing remarks
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 45 Automatic Chronograph 43mm has a long list of attributes.
The construction of the case, bracelet and clasp are to a high standard, proving especially impressive considering the relatively modest asking price of £3,150 (RRP as at 25.10.2015). This diver’s watch has a palpable sense of robustness which lends itself to everyday use.
A chronograph is a highly useful complication and plays to one of TAG Heuer’s many competences. Indeed, this is a company synonymous with making stopwatches ever since it invented the oscillating pinion in 1877, a component found in many chronographs today. The addition of a big-date complication is very impressive, especially considering the aforementioned price point.
Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of the dial is that, despite displaying much information, it remains user-friendly and simple to interpret. With its impressive array of qualities, this is a timepiece whose specification is perfectly suited to its environment, a trait it shares with the great white.
Technical Specification
- Model: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 45 Automatic Chronograph 43mm
- Reference: CAY211Y.BA0926
- Case: Stainless steel; diameter 43.00 mm; water resistant to 30 bar (300 metres); sapphire crystal to front and solid caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; big date; chronograph.
- Movement: Calibre 45; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 54 jewels; power reserve 40 hours
- Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with steel folding clasp with safety push-buttons and diving extension
- Price: £3,150 (RRP as at 25.10.2015)
Related Links