A Return Back to the Beginning... Sort of. TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph Titanium
I would say TAG Heuer was my first luxury watch purchase way back in 1995. The watch I bought was nothing amazing, probably fairly entry level. But, it was something I really wanted and it was my main watch for roughly 12 years. It was a white dial black bezel quartz diver. I'm still not sure if it's 36mm or 37mm?.. I have found both measurements from various sources. Anyways, it was reference WD1213.BA0610 from their 1500 Series. See last photo insert for an example of the one I had.
Anyways, fast forward to now, 2023, I had been wanting to get a TAG Heuer back into my watch collection. It just seemed appropriate to get a watch and brand that was part of significant segment of my life. I won't get into the various models I had considered. Seeing this post, you can see I decided on the new 40mm Aquaracer Solargraph in Titanium.
The Aquaracer has key TAG Heuer design features and I really like the angles and shapes the Aquaracer has. This particular version looks pretty cool in titanium with the matte blasted finish. But, it's not all spartan and utilitarian. The grey radiant horizontal textured dial and applied markers.add just enough pizzazz. The polar blue accent color adds a nice subtle pop, also.
I see a dive watch with slight AP RO and PP N vibes, but, by no means a copy or homage. I find the Aquaracer a unique and original design.
So, far, it's super comfortable and accurate. Has not deviated at all since I got this and set it 3 days ago.
To now, my limited experience with all other titanium dive watches has been kind of "meh" when it comes to the bezel action. They often feel less substantial, the tactile experience while turning it has felt crappy if not refined, and the audible experience has been equally lack luster. I'd add they can also seem kind of hard, if not smooth, to turn.
With this TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph in Titanium, quite the opposite. To me, its dodecagon (that's a 12-sided polygon) bezel has a very satisfying to turn the 60-click unidirectional rotating bezel. It has a crisp click and easily rotates without what I can describe as usually a sight gritty feel with most other titanium dive bezels. It's really quite nice. I've no hands on experience with any Tudor Palogos (standard, FXD, 39mm). But, I'd imagine they should be pretty nice as far as titanium bezel actions go.
All I can say for myself is I'm pretty surprisingly happy with this Aquaracer's bezel action. It was one of the first things I had to check out as soon as I received it to determine if it was going to stay longer or an instant return. Obviously, it's still here.
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Wing
@KhronoKraze
I couldn't seem to reply or add a comment to the Welcome post. So, I'll just do it here. Name is Wing. Just a simple watch enthusiast just like the rest of you here, I imagine. Figure I'd drop first w...
Bay Area, CA
Member since
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I love that watch! I have been toying with picking one up myself. I have always been a fan of Citizen Eco-Drives, so a LJP powered Eco-Drive from TAG is a no brainer.
I love that watch! I have been toying with picking one up myself. I have always been a fan of Citizen Eco-Drives, so a LJP powered Eco-Drive from TAG is a no brainer.
They seem to make very efficient solar quartz. So, far, this one is super accurate. Has not deviated a bit since I got it. I know generally quartz should be accurate. Then there's super accurate quartz. I don't think this particular movement is supposed to be some insanely accurate one.. like that Citizen that's several grand to within 1 sec per year. But, I measure all my watches and the few quartz I've owned, there have been some that have very noticeable deviations. Anyways, not going to sugar coat this one, it's expensive. But, I knew I'd really like the design and how well it's built and running overall is excellent.
They seem to make very efficient solar quartz. So, far, this one is super accurate. Has not deviated a bit since I got it. I know generally quartz should be accurate. Then there's super accurate quartz. I don't think this particular movement is supposed to be some insanely accurate one.. like that Citizen that's several grand to within 1 sec per year. But, I measure all my watches and the few quartz I've owned, there have been some that have very noticeable deviations. Anyways, not going to sugar coat this one, it's expensive. But, I knew I'd really like the design and how well it's built and running overall is excellent.
I will get one eventually, I'm just not sure if it will be new or used.
Today I tried on the black one. They didn’t have titanium - so I tried an automatic reference. Hands down I preferred the titanium! So you made an excellent choice!
Hey so I got mine yesterday. I was going to ask you if yours came in a massive red box or just the smaller inside box. As I saw someone unbox from a massive red box online. But I realised the unboxing is you!
So yeah - I just got the little inside box. Not sure how to feel about that. I’d have liked the watch roll for sure. But otherwise maybe I’d prefer to save the trees.. did you get from Tag direct? I got from watches of Switzerland - so maybe that is why the difference?
How are you getting on with it? I rather like it..
Hey so I got mine yesterday. I was going to ask you if yours came in a massive red box or just the smaller inside box. As I saw someone unbox from a massive red box online. But I realised the unboxing is you!
So yeah - I just got the little inside box. Not sure how to feel about that. I’d have liked the watch roll for sure. But otherwise maybe I’d prefer to save the trees.. did you get from Tag direct? I got from watches of Switzerland - so maybe that is why the difference?
How are you getting on with it? I rather like it..
Yeah, that video may have been mine that I showed the unboxing. It's huge for the watch. Came with ridiculous folder just for return instructions it seems. Anyways, impressive packaging, although a bit over the top. I'll take it as is still. Yes, it was bought directly from TAG Heuer.
I love the watch. Super comfy and it looks really nice on the wrist. And, it's pretty damn accurate. Sure, quartz in general should be. But, I've had some with some obvious deviation before. This one has been pretty dead on accurate still.
It makes me question just how many watches I should keep in my collection. This makes for a great daily watch and I find very little fault in it. Sure, it's kind of expensive. But, if I like the watch and I feel it's worth the stretch, then I guess it's worth it.. especially if plan to keep in long run.