As part of the Watches and Wonders event for 2021, Swiss watch manufacturer TAG Heuer unveiled their brand new Aquaracer Professional 300 watch collection. The series features eight designs in total, each carefully retaining the iconic silhouette of previous Aquaracer models but with some subtle contemporary improvements including a redesigned case back, thinner and lighter lugs and a bevy of dial and bezel colourways to choose from. Alongside four 40mm references and three 36mm references, there was a limited edition. Let us take a look at this TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute watch.
In salutation of the Aquaracer’s heritage and to complement the core collection, the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute Limited Edition takes inspiration from the fabled Ref.844 diver’s watch first introduced by TAG Heuer back in 1978. Its release came at a pivotal time for Heuer who had previously had success with mechanical chronographs but were now struggling due to the quartz crisis. During the late 70’s, they experimented with several different quartz diving watches but most of them lasted only a few years in production. That was until reference 844. Featuring a black dial and bezel, 24 hour time, cathedral shaped hands and powered by the French automatic FE 4611A calibre, the 844 ultimately formed the basis of what would become the TAG Heuer 1000 Professional Series which then led to the 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 6000 series.
For over forty years, reference 844 has had a quiet but undeniable influence on the Aquaracer collection and today its significance is celebrated once again with the release of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute Limited Edition. It maintains the original’s flat black dial and black bezel, vintage coloured lume, and red 24 hour scale which was originally intended as a quick conversion chart for on-the-field professionals reporting the time against the 24-hour clock. It’s vintage-inspired aesthetic does a fantastic job of reviving its predecessor while still maintaining the contemporary improvements included in the rest of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 watch collection.
Cleverly limited to 844 pieces, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute watch showcases a grade 5 titanium case with brushed finishing and a wide polished chamfer running from lug to lug. Compared to past Aquaracer watches, the lugs have decreased in length and the case itself has been slimmed down slightly for a more ergonomic feel measuring to 43 millimetres in diameter. Topping the case is a black unidirectional bezel decorated with a 60 minute scale and flat sapphire crystal glass treated with double anti-reflective coating. On the right hand side, a stainless steel screw down crown assists in a 300 metre water resistance while on the case back, screwed down steel presents a newly designed image with a 12 faceted faceplate, an image of a scaphander, a repeating hexagonal motif and its limited edition status out of 844 pieces.
It is at the centre of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute Limited Edition where you can see most of the original reference 844. It’s black opaline backdrop is detailed with red numerals for the 24 hour scale and the rhodium plated octagonal indexes and hour and minute hands are coloured in “old radium” Superluminova, a colour close to mustard for a real vintage finish. The central hands for hours, minutes and seconds and angled date window with magnifying lens at 6 o’clock are powered by the Calibre 5 automatic winding movement. Based on the SW 200-1 architecture, the Calibre 5 has 26 jewels, runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of 38 hours.
To complete the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute watch, a black perforated rubber strap is added. The strap continues to take inspiration from the original design which utilised a rubber band to allow its wearer to indulge in water-based activities worry-free. The strap also skilfully includes octagonal holes to match the indexes on the dial and secures firmly around the wrist with the help of a stainless steel folding clasp with double safety push buttons and a fine adjustment system engraved with the TAG Heuer shield.
For more information on the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute Limited Edition and to pre-order your own, head over to the Jura Watches website here or get in touch with the team on 01135 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute Limited Edition Watch (WBP208C.FT6201)
- Case Size: 43mm
- Case Material: Grade 5 titanium
- Bezel: Black ceramic, unidirectional with 60 minute scale
- Glass: Flat sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in, stainless steel
- Case Back: Screw down, stainless steel with special engraving
- Water Resistance: 300 metres
- Movement: Calibre 5 automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black opaline with old radium Superluminova
- Strap: Perforated black rubber
- Buckle: Stainless steel, folding with double safety push buttons and fine adjustment system
- RRP: £3,600
- Release Date: September 2021
