TAG Heuer Link - Collection Overview

The TAG Heuer Link traces its origins back to the TAG Heuer S/el (“Sports and Elegance”) range that was introduced in 1987. Designed by Eddy Schopfer - the same man responsible for the famous TAG Heuer 2000 series- the S/el was revised and re-named “Link” in 1999. The Link has been one of TAG Heuer's best selling ranges for more than twenty years, and like the 1987 original, continues to offer a balance between Sports and Elegance.

So, why the name Link? It comes from the unique "Double S", two-piece metal links in the bracelet. While the links in most watch bracelets are shaped like small bricks that overlap each-other, those in the Link bracelet combine two "S"-shaped parts into a single link shaped like an arrow. The purpose of this is not to simply be different, but to provide a more comfortable bracelet - and it is a noticeable difference that is worth trying for yourself. In fact, the bracelet itself is so integral to the Link series, that the Link is the only TAG Heuer watch that you can't buy fitted with anything other than a bracelet.

To me, the most interesting watch in the Link range is the TAG Heuer Link Calibre S, which features TAG Heuer's in-house Calibre S movement, first announced in 2004. The Calibre S in essence combines the accuracy of a quartz movement with the complexities of a mechanical chronograph movement. Being an electro-mechanical hybrid, the movement actually has more than 250 components, whereas a normal quartz movement may have only 30-40 components. The benefits of all this technology is that you get many of the functions only available on the ultra-premium watches, such as a perpetual calendar and a 1/ 100th second accurate chronograph, without the ultra-premium price. These function are accessed by pressing the crown on watch, which then toggles between three different modes: Time, Chronograph and Laptimer mode.

The Calibre S is a very cool movement that is available across several TAG Heuer models, each of which is recognisable by the two semi-circular registers on the bottom-half of the dial. The Link dials are clear and minimalist- each finished with applied, polished hour-markers.

Finally, the TAG Heuer Link series has something special that no other TAG Heuer has, the approval of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Ayrton Senna. Senna wore the S/el as his personal watch (a digital/ analogue combination S/el), and in tribute TAG Heuer have released several S/el and Link Limited Editions with Senna's signature over the years. The McQueen link with the TAG Heuer Monaco is legendary, but my hero has always been Senna which is why I think the Link has a special place in the TAG Heuer range.

See TAG Heuer Link for a range of styles.