TAG Heuer’s latest update to the Aquaracer lineup takes to the polar regions! For the ladies, they have opted to drop a whopping five elegant Solar Quartz timepieces.
There is little doubt that, in the modern day, TAG Heuer has one of the most expansive and interesting lineups when it comes to the collections that they have in store. However, one area where they begin to falter is in that of their ladies’ collections. This is no fault of their own, though: The unfortunate reality is that TAG Heuer’s demographic is comprised of predominantly men, whereas women’s watches, while present, are often few and far between.
This doesn’t mean the women’s watches have ever been less than an afterthought, though – The TAG Heuer Ladies’ Formula One enjoyed a lot of success in its heyday, while the Link, Carrera, and most dominantly the Aquaracer collections all have a variety of models to choose from. The main preference is quartz, but of course, there’s just one problem – battery life. It’ll always run out eventually, and no matter where you go, be it a watch repair studio or even TAG Heuer themselves, it’s always a spot of bother to have to move your timetable around it.
Enter the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph, outfitted with the TH50-00 movement. Yes, it was still a quartz, but it eliminated the problem of battery life through the use of a solar panel hidden away in the dial! Somewhat unfortunately, the technology was only available to the men in a 40mm package. Though some women could easily wear a 40mm watch, there still was a growing need for something more – elegant enough to appreciate, yet still rugged and practical like the Professional and Aquaracer collections that had come before it. That’s where these new Aquaracers come in.
Partnering up once again with La Joux-Perret, the TAG Heuer 34mm Ladies’ Aquaracers have been outfitted with the TH50-00’s little sister – the TH51-00 movement. Operating the same as the traditional Solargraph in a smaller package is much more difficult than it sounds, but TAG Heuer chooses their partnerships well. LJP’s parent company makes some of the most impressive solar quartz movements the industry has ever seen, so developing a new movement exclusively for TAG Heuer is expected to perform on similar standards.
And perform it does. Similar to its larger predecessor, the TH51-00 has a photovoltaic capacitor, meaning that any type of light – not just solar – is more than capable of powering the watch! This effectively means that you can keep the watch on your nightstand with the light on, and the capacitor will change the battery indefinitely, keeping it running for up to six months with no light exposure. It’s a concept that’s a little difficult to grasp in writing, so I would advise going to a TAG Heuer boutique to see one for yourself. They can’t take the watches out of the boutique (unless purchased, obviously), but the Solargraph timepieces are still able to function soundly without direct access to sunlight.
As alluded to before, I think providing the Solargraph movement in a smaller package for women is an excellent idea. It’s been some time since the ladies’ Aquaracer collection has had some moving and shaking, so to see this new tech finally being rolled out is a smart way to give the lineup a facelift while remaining true to the current design.
Speaking of design, TAG Heuer has created a new design! Well, technically it’s an old one but remastered for a fresh look. Doing away with the jagged-edge diving bezels of old and current Aquaracers; These models draw inspiration from the TAG Heuer archives, bringing back the ergonomic riders on the bezel from 1982. Ever the innovators, TAG Heuer has now reformed the riders into trapezoidal shapes for a modern touch.
Now, let’s talk about the dial colours and variations—plenty to choose from. Embracing a Northern Lights/polar theme, we offer three captivating colourways: a vibrant teal green (which TAG Heuer calls Polar Blue), a deep blue tone, and a mother-of-pearl option with three variations, with each version adding more diamonds to the dial and bezel. The fact that they have been able to integrate a solar quartz movement onto a mother-of-pearl dial is unbelievable, so I would be dashing over to pick up one of those first!
Final Thoughts
For some time, the women’s lineup at TAG Heuer has fallen behind the men’s in terms of both design and technical innovation. However, with the release of this new line of ladies’ Aquaracers, it has become evident that they are pushing to improve the status of this collection. This has been exemplified through the perfect blend of inspired design elements and much-needed technical improvements that are now available – sporty, for sure, but still elegant and true to the roots of the TAG Heuer dive watch.
There is a welcome return to form evident by the use of 1982 design elements to create these timepieces, as well as a look toward the future, as they invest deeper into furthering the availability of solar quartz movements in their Aquaracer collection. Only now, the women get to have fun too. It’s refreshing to see a familiar yet still new take on the Aquaracer collection, and it’s a sign of things to come with TAG Heuer’s women’s collection. I, for one, am thoroughly excited for what they have in store next for the ladies. My wallet, on the other hand, is not – Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I pray my partner doesn’t find out about this until much, much later.
References:
- WBP1311.BA0005 – Blue Sunray
- WBP1312.BA0005 – Mother Of Pearl
- WBP1315.BA0005 – Polar Blue
- WBP1313.BA0005 – Mother Of Pearl with Diamonds Indices
- WBP1314.BA0005 – Mother Of Pearl, Diamond Indices and Diamond Set Bezel
Specification:
- Case: 34mm, Lug-to-lug: 40.6 mm, Thickness: 9.7 mm
- Case Material: Steel brushed and polished case
- Case back: Steel screw-down
- Dial: Choice of Blue Sunray, Mother of Pearl (Standard / Diamond indices / Diamond Indices & Bezel) or Polar Blue
- Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
- Water resistance: 200m / 20ATM
- Movement: Calibre TH50-01
- Power reserve: 10 months on full charge
- Bracelet: Polished steel 3-row bracelet with steel folding, double safety push-button clasp with comfort link extension
