Recently, we spent some time on the podcast discussing the durability and appeal of the vintage TAG Aquaracer. You can still see them here and there, even quartz replica watches that have been beaten to death while it’s been going for a decade. They have a lovely quality, and I get excited about the Aquaracer watches that often serve as someone’s first beautiful watch.
This week, Replica TAG Heuer announced a new and extensive Aquaracer line of watches that takes us back to the early days and a more minor 40mm case (the specific version we’ll be watching). The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 is in automatic and Quartz versions.
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer was launched in 2004 and is the brand’s entry-level model if you’re looking for a dive watch. Unlike previous models, the new TAG Heuer Racer Professional 200 is downsized to a more wearable 40mm and comes with a choice of black, white, or blue dials.
It should be no surprise that my favorite combination is the black dial quartz version pictured above. No date, no Cyclops, and no sunburst effect – a dial treatment found on more expensive automatic versions. Other features, such as water resistance to 300 meters, Super-LumiNova-treated hands, markers, and an all-steel diving bezel, make this a valuable sports watch for the masses.
What’s more, as availability grows over time, I’m sure we’ll see a better market price, especially for the quartz models. Finally, it would be nice to have a fully frosted bracelet option. So if I buy one, you might see it with a NATO strap. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Automatic costs $2750, and the Quartz costs $2050. It looks like an exciting offering from TAG Heuer and an excellent option for those looking for an old-school diver vibe in a newer fake watch. While pricey, I could see TAG Heuer charging more for this, and I’m glad they didn’t.
