TAG Heuer Updates The Aquaracer Professional 300 Date & GMT with new Dials, Cases and Movements
TAG Heuer's dive watch welcomes a manufacture COSC calibre and wave-inspired dials.
TAG Heuer is renowned for its automotive heritage and racing chronographs, but the brand also boasts a strong nautical and water-sport legacy, particularly with its Aquaracer dive watch collection. Introduced in 2004/2005 as the direct successor to the 2000 series, the Aquaracer line has become a cornerstone in TAG Heuer’s portfolio. The collection was fully revamped in 2021 with a rather convincing update: more elaborate, with sharper lines yet still very recognizable. This year, TAG Heuer once again expands and updates the collection, with several new Aquaracer Professional 300 Date and Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT versions, powered by new proprietary movements and featuring appealing new dials.
The main update with these new versions of the Aquaracer Professional 300 is their movement, with a transition from off-the-shelves Sellita calibres to proprietary movements. These new engines have been conceived with AMT, a sister company of Sellita focusing on higher-grade, proprietary developments. The new Aquaracer Professional 300 Date is powered by the automatic TH31-00 (that has already been used for the Aquaracer 200 in solid gold). As for the GMT models, they are powered by the TH31-03, using the same base and adding a 24-hour time zone indication. Both movements are COSC-certified, run at a 4Hz frequency and boast a comfortable 80-hour power reserve (compared to 38-hour and 50-hour for the previous Aquaracer Professional 300 Date and Aquaracer GMT models). They are covered with a 5-year warranty.
The design of the case follows that of the 2021 update. Yet, with these new movements, TAG Heuer has been able to rework the ergonomics of the watches and slightly reduce their size, transitioning from 43mm to 42mm. At 12mm versus 12.5mm, the date model is also slightly thinner than its predecessor fitted with the calibre 5. As the name of the watch suggests, the water resistance is still rated at 300m thanks to a screw-down crown and caseback. The collection’s diving helmet is still engraved on the back of the watch.
The Aquaracer Professional 300 Date models feature a traditional unidirectional diving rotating bezel, and its ceramic insert is engraved with a 60-minute scale. On the other hand, the Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT models favour the traveller’s indication with a bi-directional bezel and a 24-hour indication with two colours to represent day and night.
The dials of the new models are now textured with a wavy pattern instead of straight groves and feature an updated minute track. The applied octagonal indexes are paired with a more prominent hour hand, now adopting a shield shape. The use of luminescent material ensures optimal legibility in all conditions. The sapphire crystal comes with double anti-reflective treatment and a loupe to magnify the date. Three colourways are offered for the Aquaracer Professional 300 Date: black, blue and green, all with matching ceramic inserts. Two options are offered for the Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT: blue with a blue-black insert, and green with a green-black insert.
These new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date and GMT are fitted either with a stainless-steel 3-link bracelet or a rubber strap, all secured by a double-safety folding clasp. The buckle integrates a micro-adjustment system – perfect to adjust to a wetsuit, or simply to accommodate comfort changes as temperatures rise or fall – with 5 adaptable positions and an adjustment range of about one centimetre.
The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date and GMT models are now available from the brand and its retailers. The prices start at CHF 3,500 for the date models (on rubber strap) and CHF 3,900 for the GMT versions (on rubber strap). For more details, please visit www.tagheuer.com.
6 responses
As a TH fan, I’m afraid I have to say that the hands are awfully chubby and the dial is something I don’t like at all, even on Omega’s (market competitor). Who wants a wavy dial like that?
I didn’t believe an updated version of this watch could be more disappointing than the previous re-iteration, but here we have it! Do these knuckleheads know what flatulent design is?
I’ve read two articles.on this new Tag release and neither has pointed out the obvious – it’s extremely similar to the Seamaster 300M. The older model has a much better identity of it’s own.
If Omega and Rolex had a baby…
I’ve bought this watch in Black due to the upgrades. Chronometer certified, 80 hour power reserve and dimension changes. To me the watch looks fantastic from the photos that had been released, but when you see it for real, you can see how stunning it really looks. I think Heuer have priced this watch just right.
looking like a pig skin that dial.
trying to like it but just can’t. doesn’t work. spend extra money and rather buy seamaster if this is the case.