This year, Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer celebrates five generations at the helm of avant-garde design with new additions to the popular AQUARACER 500M collection.
The Swiss brand patented its first water-resistant case in 1895 and launched its first water-resistant wrist chronograph in 1939. In 1942, it presented its first regatta stopwatch, the YACHTING timer. The Heuer SOLUNAR (1949) was the world’s first watch with tide indicator, and the MAREOGRAPH-SEAFARER (1950) was the first chronograph with a tide level indicator and regatta dial counter on a sub-counter.
In 1968, it began outfitting boats with the NAVIA, a water-resistant instrument for boat dashboards. It also brought out the SKIPPER, a mechanical chronograph with regatta countdown, which was re-edited in 1972 as an automatic chronograph version.
In 1982, the 2000 SERIES was launched. Designed by Jack Heuer, the 2000 was the first line of professional sports watches equipped with the now-famous “TAG HEUER 6 FEATURES”:
- Scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflection treated interior
- Screw-in crown with double safety gaskets to prevent dust or water penetration
- Water resistance guaranteed to 300 meters
- Luminescent hands, hour markers and bezel scale for easy reading underwater
- Unidirectional turning bezel to ensure error-free elapsed dive-time measurement
- Double-safety, quick-action bracelet clasp to prevent accidental opening
These technical specifications have since become the industry standard for authentic and highest quality dive and sports watches. In 2002, TAG Heuer went deeper still, strengthening its technical performance and reliability underwater with the AQUAGRAPH. A professional diving chronograph with patented auto-lock turning bezel and optimized underwater readability, it was rigorously tested — and fully approved and endorsed — by the Navy SEALs, the Special Operation Forces of the United States Navy.
In 2003, TAG Heuer turned the 2000 Series into the AQUARACER, a versatile and sophisticated reinterpretation of the 2000 series, faithful to its technical and design codes, but with a higher-end finish and the luxury spirit of a stylish accessory.
In 2007, TAG Heuer brought out the AQUARACER CALIBRE S CHRONOGRAPH, the world’s first electro-mechanical movement with regatta mode — a unique, backwards-turning hand for regatta countdown.
In 2009, it launched its most charismatic collection of water sports-inspired watches yet: the AQUARACER 500M. Endorsed by TAG Heuer spokesperson and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio, it is one of the most successful lines in the brand’s history.
Capable of handing extreme atmospheric pressures, the TAG Heuer AQUARACER 500M AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH 44MM meets specific requirements of professional diving.
The first chronograph in the AQUARACER 500M series, featuring a robust and fully functional design offers great visibility and easy handling under water, extreme resilience, and other safety features that are specific while operating at harsh conditions.
It is also a sophisticated work of contemporary design. The wide diameter case (44mm) is in polished and fine-brushed steel. The unidirectional turning bezel is in fine-brushed steel with a “soft touch” black coating on the top. The bezel’s polished “easy-grip” studs are grooved on the sides to facilitate handling, even with diving gloves.
An automatic helium valve is integrated into the case at 10 o’clock. This one-way valve is activated when the differential between the inner and the outside pressure reaches a critical level. The 3 counters on the vertically streaked black dial give chronograph hour (6 o’clock), chronograph minute (12 o’clock) and running second (9 o’clock). “AQUARACER 500M” is written above the date window at 3 o’clock, which has a magnifying lens for easier legibility.
The name of the automatic chronograph’s famous movement — “CALIBRE 16 – AUTOMATIC” — is written at 6 o’clock on the chronograph hour dial. For the strap, there are two classic TAG Heuer options: black rubber or a three-row bracelet in fine-brushed steel with polished central row and edges.
Technical details
Model: TAG Heuer AQUARACER 500M Automatic Chronograph 44mm
References
CAJ2110.BA0872: Black dial with steel bracelet
CAJ2110.FT6023: Black dial with rubber strap
Movement
TAG Heuer Calibre 16 – Automatic Chronograph – Date
Dial
Black dial with vertical streak effect
Hand-applied polished indexes
Polished finished hands
Second hand with a touch of orange at the extremity
Luminescent markers on hands and indexes
3 counters:
– Chronograph hour at 6 o’clock with subtle circular effect
– Chronograph minute at 12 o’clock with subtle circular effect
– Running second at 9 o’clock
Date window at 3 o’clock with a magnifying lense
Hand-applied TAG Heuer logo
“AQUARACER 500M” written on top of the date window at 3 o’clock
“CALIBRE 16 – AUTOMATIC” written at 6 o’clock in the chronograph hour dial
Case
Case diameter: 44mm
Polished and fine-brushed steel case with polished edges
Unidirectional turning bezel in fine-brushed steel:
With soft touch black coating on the top surface
Polished studs with grooves on the side
Fine-brushed stainless steel numerals
Luminescent dot at 12 o’clock
Screw-in polished steel crown with black coating on the face
Polished push buttons with grooves on the side
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment (internal side)
Screw-in caseback with special diver decoration
Automatic helium valve at 10 o’clock
Water-resistance: 500 meters
Bracelet
3-row bracelet: fine-brushed steel with polished central row and edges, solid steel clasp, and safety push buttons OR
Black rubber strap with solid steel clasp and safety push buttons
Checker decoration and embossed TAG Heuer logo on the outer side
Checker decoration and molded “TAG Heuer” inscription on the inner side
Fine brushed massive end-piece in steel with “500 M” engraving
Availability
October 2010 (ex La Chaux-de-Fonds)
