Editor’s note: Like you, we are also excited for the Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties. Before we get to dive deep into them, here’s our preview & Gut Reaction Review (Grr…) of the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver. For our detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here. This is NOT a sponsored post.
The New TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver In A Nutshell
My first reaction to the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver was to picture a love child between Tudor and Sinn. Allow me to explain why.
This is indeed big news for the brand. 38 years after the 1984 TAG Heuer ‘Super Professional’ comes a reinvention of a revolutionary timepiece. Not only is the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver a sexy looking beast of a timepiece, it like Sinn and other well-made professional no-nonsense tool watches is over-engineered — scratch-resistant titanium case, 1km water-resistant, generous use of orange, a more imposing arrow shaped hour-hand, Aquaracer’s iconic horizontal lines are spaced out for more readability, the first quarter on the ceramic bezel is thoughtfully applied in orange, and they have used the highest grade of Super-LumiNova® SLN Grade X1 — to ensure that it wil take that daily wear pounding without even as much of a wrinkle.
But that’s just the outer body engineering that reminds me of Sinn. The dial and the aesthetics are all pure TAG Heuer, a design that we have come to love.
On top of that, there’s that Tudor part. Inside the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver ticks the calibre TH30-00, a movement exclusively designed for TAG Heuer by none other that by Kenissi Manufacture SA. And for those who may be trying to connect the dots here, Kenissi essentially is where Tudor’s Manufacture movements come from. It’s part owned by the likes of Tudor and Chanel, and other brands such as Norqain, Breitling and now TAG Heuer are benefiting from this.
I personally reckon this is extremely good news for the industry at large, especially the entry-level Swiss luxury watch industry. Ever since ETA vs COMCO, it has been unclear as to where other non-Swatch brands can get excellent movements from. This collaborative spirit between Tudor and other brands not only makes me appreciate Tudor more but also make me look forward to any other collaborations.
But coming back to the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver, it essentially comes supercharged with what appears to be a very reliable movement. Remember, Tudor’s fortunes went vey favourable since their use of their Manufacture movements from Kenissi. It’s an excellent choice for those who would like a solid dive watch that they don’t have to baby.
Basic Specs
The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver ref. WBP5A8A.BF0619 features a 1000m water-resistant 45mm diameter and only 15.75mm thick grade 5 titanium case. The case features a well thought of bezel architecture: it features deeper recesses for better grip and it is forged with “black ceramic and a unique composite made of a hybrid material incorporating ceramic with an orange colour specifically developed for TAG Heuer”.
The case also features a prominent high contrast black DLC-coated crown and substantial crown guards to ensure better match for water trickling in, and I also like that the crown tube features an orange seal circle that reminds one of the crown not being properly screwed in. And no, it’s not a copy of the recent similar system by Nomos, given TAG used it back in 2003 with their TAG Heuer Aquagraph.
Inside the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver ticks the calibre TH30-00 which is an automatic-winding mechanical movement developed and manufactured especially for TAG Heuer by Kenissi Manufacture SA. Not much information has been released about this movement to us, but it like other Tudor-esque movements it is COSC-certified, beats at 4Hz and provides with the same impressive 70-hour power reserve.
Retailing for 9’650 AUD, the non-limited edition new Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver was first announced on 30 March 2022 as part of the Watches & Wonders 2022 March 30 to April 5 (both online and at the Salon). The brand informs us that it also comes with a custom protective case, which is as resistant as the watch, and includes a rescue dive torch.
Quotable
“TAG Heuer has been developing bold and innovative luxury tool watches for over 40 years, and the Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver is the essence of our unique expertise in this area. This super dive watch joins the entirely reimagined Aquaracer Professional 300 collection launched last year, which now comprises 11 models. We are delighted to launch our latest TAG Heuer Aquaracer at the new edition of Watches and Wonders. It is a watch capable of overcoming all challenges.”
Frédéric Arnault – CEO of TAG Heuer
To find out more about the new Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver and their other watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy ©TAG Heuer. Make sure to check out our reviews of other Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties here.
