Introducing TAG Heuer's Aquaracer Professional 200

A modern interpretation of an entry-level classic, the new Aquaracer Professional is a tool watch designed for work and play

The history of TAG Heuer’s first dive watch dates back to 1978 when the company (then known as Heuer) launched the Reference 844. The design of this versatile, high-performance timepiece had a visceral effect on young and adventurous watch enthusiasts. Heuer became TAG Heuer in 1985 and over the years, the brand built itself largely on dive watches. In 2004, TAG Heuer introduced the Aquaracer line of watches powered by quartz as well as automatic engines. Available in two sizes – 38mm or 41 mm – the new models inherited the family’s most defining design codes – a unidirectional rotating bezel, a screw-down crown, water resistance up to at least 200 meters, luminous markings, a sapphire crystal, and a double safety clasp.

TAG Heuer has been exceptionally consistent in its efforts to add a slew of stylish, robust, and all-terrain tool watches to the Aquaracer Professional series. Last year at Watches & Wonders, the  brand knocked its patrons and watch connoisseurs sideways with four 40mm references, three 36mm references, and one 43mm limited edition that pays homage to the Heuer Reference 844. Following these models are this year’s Aquaracer Professional 200 pieces that build on the rich legacy of TAG Heuer’s high-function sports watches. Available in either a 40mm or a 30mm steel case, each model comes with a unidirectional rotating bezel with 12 facets, water resistance of up to 200 meters, and either an automatic or quartz movement; let’s explore.

The Ref. 844 was Heuer's first diving watch

All About Refinement

The new Aquaracer Professional 200 pieces present subtle design changes that make them perfect for all occasions, be it a board meeting or an underwater expedition. The bezel still features a diving scale, but it has now been engraved into a steel insert rather than one in ceramic. The central bracelet link has been polished rather than brushed - a development that lends the timepieces a more formal look.

TAG Heuer has left no stone unturned to give the Aquaracer Professional 200 watches a distinctive look with a lot happening in the display department. With straight-edged and trapezoidal hour markers, sleeker sword-shaped hands, and refreshing white detailing, the latest models don an exciting look that distinguishes them from the Aquaracer Professional 300 which features octagonal hour markers, an oversized hour hand, and yellow detailing. On the new dial, the hour markers and hands have been coated with Super-LumiNova and no luminescent material has been applied to the bezel for a pronounced look. The riders from the previous generation Aquaracer bezels have also been removed to give the Aquaracer Professional 200 its smooth bezel profile. 

The new Aquaracer Professional 200 pieces present subtle design changes that make them perfect for all occasions, be it a board meeting or an underwater expedition

The casebacks of the new models have been engraved with a compass which replaces the scaphander diving helmet featured on the Aquaracer casebacks since 2002

The caseback has been engraved with a compass which replaces the scaphander diving helmet that has been featured on Aquaracer casebacks (and its predecessors) since 2002. "With both the automatic and quartz versions, we've played on the theme of elegance, giving the watch a narrower bezel, longer indexes, and stronger markers at 3, 6, 9, and 12. It's more of a street watch in the sense that it's more elegant and refined, and something you might more readily consider wearing with a suit. That's why we gave the automatics a fumé dial, for instance," says Guy Bove, TAG Heuer's Creative Director. 

Aquaracer Professional 200: The 40mm Models

In the 40mm men's collection, there are two automatic and two quartz references. While the quartz models have no date, the date window of the automatic models come without a magnifier and these pieces are distinguished by their fumé gradient dials that feature Super-LumiNova sweeping seconds hands and elaborate minute tracks.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 40mm Automatic Ref. WBP2110.BA0627 features a black sunray brushed dial while the Ref. WBP2111.BA0627 offers a sunray brushed dial in classic blue; both offering a slightly smoky finish. Both the dials have indexes and hands filled with white Super-LumiNova and the steel-polished, fine-brushed case with its 60-minute unidirectional turning bezel renders a splendid contrast when combined with the watch faces in black and blue. The two references are offered on a three-row steel bracelet with a steel folding clasp and double safety push buttons.

The automatic models are driven by the Calibre 5 movement that offers a balance frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a power reserve of around 38 hours. Coming on to the 40mm quartz models, the Ref. WBP1110.BA0627 and Ref. WBP1111.BA0627 feature a black and silver sunray brushed dial respectively and are housed inside a steel-polished, fine-brushed case with a 60-minute unidirectional turning bezel in steel.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 (40mm) Ref. WBP2110.BA0627 with a black sunray brushed dial

The Ref. WBP2111.BA0627 features a sunray brushed dial in classic blue

Aquaracer Professional 200: The 30mm Models

The 30mm lineup for women promises some attractive models driven by automatic and quartz movements. The two automatics – Ref. WBP2410.BA0622 and Ref. WBP2411.BA0622 – come with either a black or blue fumé diamond-dot dial - an implementation that is both bold and elegant. Housed inside a steel-polished, fine-brushed case with a 60-minute unidirectional turning bezel in steel, the references are driven by the Calibre 9 movement that offers a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and churns out a power reserve of around 40 hours. The two pieces are offered on a three-row steel bracelet with a steel folding clasp with double safety push buttons.

There are three quartz models featuring sunray dials in a light silver colour, light blue or black; a quartz model with a diamond-dot white mother-of-pearl dial; and an additional quartz model that features a diamond-set bezel complementing a diamond-dot white mother-of-pearl dial.
 

The 30mm lineup for women promises some attractive models driven by automatic and quartz movements. Seen here is the automatic Ref. WBP2411.BA0622 with a blue mother-of-pearl dial

Specifications

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 40mm Automatic

Reference Number: WBP2110.BA0627 and WBP2111.BA0627
Movement: Calibre 5 Automatic
Power Reserve: 38 hours (approx.)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date

Dial: Sunray brushed dial, black for Ref. WBP2110.BA0627 and blue for Ref. WBP2111.BA0627, indexes and hands filled with white Super-LumiNova
Case: 40mm diameter, steel-polished, fine-brushed, steel 60-minute scale unidirectional turning bezel
Water resistance: 200 meters (approx.)
Bracelet: Steel three-row bracelet, steel folding clasp with double safety push-buttons, adjustment link extension
Price: HKD 20,200

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 30mm Automatic

Reference Number: WBP2411.BA0622
Movement: Calibre 9 Automatic
Power Reserve: 40 hours (approx.)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date

Dial: Blue mother-of-pearl, hands filled with white Super-LumiNova, 11 VS diamonds
Case: 30mm diameter, steel-polished, fine-brushed, steel 60-minute scale unidirectional turning bezel
Water resistance: 200 meters (approx.)
Bracelet: Steel three-row bracelet, steel folding clasp with double safety push-buttons, adjustment link extension
Price: HKD 25,550

For more details, visit TAG Heuer.