To start the year, TAG Heuer debuted a pair of quartz solar-powered Aquaracer timepieces.
The 2023 TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph is available in a 40 mm grade 2 titanium (Ref. WBP1180.BF0000) or black DLC-treated stainless steel case (Ref. WBP1112.FT6199).
The grade 2 titanium case, bezel, and bracelet have a sand-blasted matte gray surface and offer a lightweight wearing experience, whereas the DLC-treated stainless steel model comes on a rubber strap, which likely means both models have a similar total weight.
While you trade off premium titanium, including a full metal titanium bracelet for a rubber strap with the black DLC steel version, with no change in price, the DLC version has a trick up its sleeve. The DLC version has a black DLC steel rotating bezel, with a special bezel insert that’s made from carbon fused with luminous material.
Both are interesting options that differ at least slightly from a lot of what we’re seeing on the market, though, LVMH-owned TAG Heuer is certainly charging a premium for the new features.
In particular, the unique materials and the solar-powered quartz movement, take a regular stainless steel Aquaracer with the same dimensions and a standard battery-powered movement from $2,150 to $3,050 – so you’re paying $900 more for the solar and the titanium or DLC cases. As an additional option to consider, you can purchase a 40 mm stainless steel Aquaracer, with a bracelet, that’s powered by an automatic movement, for $200 less at $2,850.
Interestingly, to develop the solar-powered caliber TH50-00, TAG Heuer partnered with the movement maker La Joux-Perret. And like solar-powered movements from Casio and Citizen, both natural sunlight and artificial light enter through the translucent dial, automatically recharging the battery.
According to TAG Heyer, “A two-minute exposure to direct sunlight is enough to power the watch for an entire day. Once fully charged, after less than 20 hours in the sun, the watch can run for up to six months with no light exposure. If the timepiece stops ticking, it only needs exposure to any light source for ten seconds to get it started again, thanks to its ultra-efficient recharge time.”
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph features a sapphire crystal, a locking crown, and a screw-down case, and is depth rated to 200 meters, like the standard Aquaracers.
Photos by TAG Heuer.
