TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 5 Black Titanium Watch Review
Angus Davies reviews the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 5 Black Titanium Ref. WAY208C.FC6383
This detailed review of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 5 Black Titanium includes live images, specification details and pricing.
During Baselworld 2016, I visited TAG Heuer’s monolithic exhibition stand, met the Swiss brand’s PR team and sat at a desk festooned with new timepieces. As I have mentioned on previous occasions, during Baselworld, time is precious to both exhibitors and journalists alike and sometimes an appealing new watch can go unnoticed owing to the hubbub of the fair.
TAG Heuer revealed a plethora of new watches at Baselworld this year, but the two headline acts were the Carrera Heuer 02T and the sublime, dusky-toned Monza Chronograph. Both of these timepieces arrested my attention with their impressive attributes and led me to scribble copious notes within my dogeared pocketbook.
However, whilst many journalists frantically grasped the Carrera and Monza timepieces, I noted there were some other exquisite watches, quietly nestling within velour-clad display trays. With this in mind, I decided to spend a little extra time, pawing through the rows of gleaming TAG Heuer models. It was here that I happened upon a lovely, self-effacing timepiece, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 5 Black Titanium case 43mm.
The dial
There is a notable clarity of purpose with this version of the Aquaracer 300M Calibre 5. It sidesteps the flamboyant complications found with some costlier timepieces and focuses solely on the presentation of hours, minutes, sweep seconds and date.
The hour and minute hand pair grey and sand-coloured tones, revealing a muted, gentle character. However, despite their softly spoken nature, the hands successfully team with the hour markers and prove eminently legible. An orange central sweep seconds hand reaches the tastefully adorned minute track, making read-off a matter of child’s play.
A series of horizontal lines, running east to west, grace the surface of the matt-black dial and infuse the display with a sense of luxury. The date indication, positioned at 3 o’clock, proves effortless to read, courtesy of the magnified lens positioned above.
This watch talks to the wearer with seemly tone and comprehensible dialogue.
The case
Measuring 43mm in diameter, the black coated titanium case possesses the lightweight characteristics of a supermodel. Its scale treads a judiciously selected path, avoiding the extremes which could render it irrelevant to some sections of society. Quite simply, this watch is comfortable, light and will suit an array of wearers.
The unidirectional ceramic bezel features sand-coloured markings and Arabic numerals. Residing above noon, an orange triangular index proves the most overt element of the watch. A luminescent dot sits at the heart of said triangular index, aiding legibility in darkness.
The caseback is solid and engraved with a depiction of a diving bell. A sand-toned strap with contrasting stitching wonderfully coalesces with the case and dial canvas, eliciting thoughts of desert adventures.
The movement
The automatic Calibre 5 contains ’25 or 26 jewels depending on the execution’ and its single barrel harnesses up to 38 hours of power. The frequency of the balance is 28,800 vph (4Hz).
Congruent with many divers’ watches, this Aquaracer eschews an exhibition case back, preventing close examination of the self-winding movement within, hence I am unable to critique the quality of the finishing employed.
Closing remarks
So often in life, those who shout the most attract the greatest amount of attention. This is a shame, because in focussing on the conspicuous, we sometimes overlook wonderful treasures which quietly wait to be discovered.
This particular version of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 5, and I accept there are many variants, is deserving of attention. It is a horological gem. I concede it lacks the elevated execution or specification of the finest examples of watchmaking but, with its modest asking price of £2100, it delivers a compelling blend of value and virtue.
Technical specification
- Model: TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Calibre 5 Black Titanium case 43mm
- Reference: WAY208C.FC6383
- Case: Black titanium carbide coated titanium case; diameter 43mm; water resistant to 30 bar (300 metres); sapphire crystal to front and solid caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; central sweep seconds; date.
- Movement: Calibre 5; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 25-26 jewels; power reserve 38 hours
- Strap: Sand nylon strap with contrasting stitching
- Price: £2,100 (RRP as at 5.7.2016)