TAG Heuer -Aqua Racer thoughts

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Diver88

·Aug 12, 2019

Hey guys,

Looking at a TAG Heuer Aquaracer, Caliber 5, Automatic -300 meter, ceramic bezel.

It's the 41mm size and stock number is WAY211C.BA0928
https://www.tagheuer.com/en-us/watches/aquaracer-calibre-5-automatic-watch-41-mm-way211c-ba0928

What's the word on these caliber 5 watches? Any pro or cons on them?

Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

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KingCrouchy

·Aug 14, 2019

Overpriced, horrible resale value. Movement is a Selitta SW-200-1 if I remember correctly. But most of the friends that had one didn't achieved to break it, so that's a plus.
I would buy a used Omega Seamaster 300 for the Money.

 

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Andi

·Aug 23, 2019

Movement is based on ETA 2824-2 or Selitta SW-200-1 - http://calibercorner.com/tag-heuer-caliber-5/.

 

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Walrus

·Aug 23, 2019

If you are going to get one get it used I picked up a quartz aqua racer for 225. I think New it was 1,200 or something. I still kind of regret buying it but the guy had the box and everything and I had the money and it was a watch and these things happen

 

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KeithS

·Aug 24, 2019

I really liked mine, but sold it to fund another watch. I do miss it though...

 

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STANDY

·Aug 24, 2019·schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector

If that’s your budget and your going to keep it, Fine.

If your into watches a bit it will be a stepping stone to something better with a 30-40% loss selling it

 

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67ViP

·Jun 12, 2020

Just picked this up, very nice piece...much more attractive than the previous Pepsi version. Running at +3 seconds a day. Fit and finish is excellent...I believe Tag went with the ETA 2893 on this one as the power reserve is listed as 46 hrs, the Sellita comes in at 42. Have whittled my collection down to a Tudor Pelagos in blue, BB Steel in black, Omega Seamaster 300m Diver in black, and now the Tag Aquaracer GMT.

 

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BlueOtter

·Jun 16, 2020

Not great value imo, but they are pretty indestructible. Had one for 8 years or so and never once failed me (I wore it for all kinds of stuff like swimming, trekking, tennis etc).

 

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BPD

·Jun 16, 2020

I have the Calibre 16 for about 4 years now and my date is no longer working. Have taken in once already to get it fixed and it looks like another trip is in order once our lockdown is lifted. It's a solidly built watch and it's usually my beater when I travel or go diving but like some have said here, it's overpriced for the movement you are getting.

 

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67ViP

·Jun 16, 2020

Funny how the ETA 2892/93 is the same movement in the older versions of the Omega 300 Professional and nobody ever said it was over priced or over valued. If you're buying watches just to flip them you'd probably be better off throwing darts at the NASDAQ or Dow Jones flavor of the day. I do not care for the ETA 2824, but the 2892/93 is a great movement...and in the new Aquaracer Calibre 7 GMT Batman it's a rock solid piece. I know there is strong dislike for Tag as a brand, but you have to give the devil his due when he gets one right.

 

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RI Omega Fan

·Jun 16, 2020

Ya know what? My wife loves her Heuer! (Sorry, I’m an old pre-TAG guy).

I told her she could have any watch in the store, and she picked out an Aquaracer with a beautiful blue mother of pearl dial and diamond bezel. The bezel is actually pretty subtle, with a nice sparkle when the light hits it just right. It turns out they’re pretty good diamonds, too, according to the little card that came with the watch describing the 4Cs. She really likes the fact it’s a quartz movement, and thinks I’m nuts to have to wind my Speedmaster every morning.

She wears it every single day, everywhere she goes, on the boat and out to dinner. More than a few people have told her it’s the most beautiful watch they have ever seen. Happy Wife = Happy Life!

Also, a good friend of mine bailed out on the Breitling brand and is now totally digging his new Aquaracer! And yes, he’s a “watch guy” and knows his stuff. So, wear what you like - no judgement calls here.

 

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67ViP

·Jun 16, 2020

RI Omega Fan

Ya know what? My wife loves her Heuer! (Sorry, I’m an old pre-TAG guy).

I told her she could have any watch in the store, and she picked out an Aquaracer with a beautiful blue mother of pearl dial and diamond bezel. The bezel is actually pretty subtle, with a nice sparkle when the light hits it just right. It turns out they’re pretty good diamonds, too, according to the little card that came with the watch describing the 4Cs. She really likes the fact it’s a quartz movement, and thinks I’m nuts to have to wind my Speedmaster every morning.

She wears it every single day, everywhere she goes, on the boat and out to dinner. More than a few people have told her it’s the most beautiful watch they have ever seen. Happy Wife = Happy Life!

Also, a good friend of mine bailed out on the Breitling brand and is now totally digging his new Aquaracer! And yes, he’s a “watch guy” and knows his stuff. So, wear what you like - no judgement calls here.

Preach brother!

 

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BPD

·Jun 16, 2020

I always have and will always be a TAG fan (well not as much nowadays)! Not so long ago, two years ago to be exact, I did owned about eight TAGs. Now, I only own three but these three, including the Aquaracer are dear to me. Are TAG overpriced? In my opinion yes, some are but so is everything else in life according to one’s tolerance level.

BTW, I too also bought an Aquaracer for my wife. It was actually paired with the her engagement ring. Think she wears the watch more than her rings 😗

 

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ama98

·Jun 17, 2020

Overpriced. Save money for a bit longer and buy a better watch

 

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Tonyash

·Jun 17, 2020

Call me old fashioned but I would opt for the Heuer 980 over an Aquaracer. The 980s continued to be made under Tag Heuer branding for many years after the take over, I think right up until the Aquaracer was introduced. They have a strong following these days and not hard to find a good, serviced and pressure tested version, particularly with TAG branding Cheers.

Edited: Jun 17, 2020

 

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High Hope

·Jun 17, 2020

RI Omega Fan

...I told her she could have any watch in the store, and she picked out an Aquaracer with a beautiful blue mother of pearl dial ...

She wears it every single day, everywhere she goes, on the boat and out to dinner. More than a few people have told her it’s the most beautiful watch they have ever seen. Happy Wife = Happy Life!

Also, a good friend of mine bailed out on the Breitling brand and is now totally digging his new Aquaracer! And yes, he’s a “watch guy” and knows his stuff. So, wear what you like - no judgement calls here.

Interesting coincidence. I bailed out of Breitling in my early “serious watch” days also. I had three in quick succession as the AD honored his commitment and let me trade up after every watch failure. The third was the last and he let me trade up to any watch, so I traded on a TAG Calibre 36 (Zenith movement.) That was twenty years ago and I’ve never had a complaint with the TAG.

I bought my sweetheart a TAG Aquaracer, blue mother of pearl but diamond indices, not bezel. She loves it.

Edited: Jun 17, 2020

 

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sonicosa

·Jun 18, 2020

I love my Aquaracer. It was an engagement gift from my mother-in-law, so resale value or overpriced MSRP weren’t a concern for me. That said, I enjoy it enough that I’d view it as a good value if picked up second-hand in good condition.

This was my first automatic watch, and that lead me to vintage Omega and deeper into watch collecting in general. So, that is another bonus which gives it a special place in my collection.

 

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67ViP

·Jun 19, 2020

Took a little over a week for this puppy to crank up and fly right...now running just about spot on. Impressive performance for a non-COSC certified movement...I suspect it's a top grade ETA 2893-2. It's the only watch i have that wants to rest face up to maintain current timing...the other three prefer crown up (Tudor Pelagos, Tudor BB Steel, & Omega Seamaster 300M).