TAG Heuer Aquaracer - Series Overview

The 2000 range continued throughout the 80s and 90s as a core TAG Heuer model, available in a dizzying array of different models. The series was renamed the Aquaracer in 2005 when the design was updated. And it's this design template that continues through the majority of today's Aquaracer range - a rugged stainless steel case, finished with either a stainless steel or aluminum (Aquaracer 300m) bezel.

My favourite model in the Aquaracer series is the Aquaracer 500m series, first introduced in 2008 as an automatic or quartz watch. As the name suggests, the Aquaracer 500m is the heavy-duty dive watch of the range, with a depth rating almost double the rest of the range. The 500m series is a total re-design of the Aquaracer, with a larger, squarer 43mm case, an over-sized crown, helium-escape valve and distinctive vertically- streaked dial. Topping off the watch is a "Cyclops" over the date (that unusually sits at the 9 o'clock position and a unique Rubber bezel. The bezel has a very interesting feel- it's not a soft rubber, but a harder finish that allows for applied minute indicators and screw heads.

The Aquaracer 500m range offers both automatic and quartz movements. The easy way to tell the two apart is that the Quartz watches uses a bright Orange sweeping second-hand, while the automatic features a black hand. I've owned one of the automatics - the Full Black model introduced in 2010, which features a black PVD titanium case and TAG Heuer's automatic Calibre 5 movement. Its the perfect dive watch- light, chunky, solid and simple to read.

Last year TAG Heuer released a Chronograph version of the Aquaracer 500m series, which is the top of today's Aquaracer line. It takes the same basic shape of the newer 500m design, but in an even larger case (44mm) and is only available with TAG Heuer's Calibre 16 automatic chronograph movement.

And if the 44mm case is too large for you, then the Aquaracer range starts with cases sized at 39mm, so there is plenty of scope to keep everyone happy.

What I love about the Aquaracer is that it has the right mix of sportiness and style- I wear mine to the office, and on weekends or to the beach- and it never seems to feel out of place. I have mine on a rubber strap, but the heavy-duty stainless steel bracelet is a nice option if you want to tilt the work/ beach balance back towards the office.

Next year will be the 30th anniversary of the 2000/ Aquaracer series, making it the longest continuous model that Heuer or TAG Heuer have offered. Despite approaching middle age, the Aquaracer range is as fresh and modern today as the original 2000 was back in 1982, and while the design has evolved over the years, it still retains all of the hallmarks of the original.

Browse TAG Heuer's Aquaracer collection now.