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In this review, my wife road-tested the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph in pink with diamonds. I asked her what she thought of the piece…

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph in the pink dial and diamonds was a piece that came out just prior to Watches & Wonders in mid-March along with a few other Aquaracer Solargraph drops. Similar to the Northern Lights collection that dropped at last year’s LVMH Watch Week it adds to the smaller 34mm sized Solargraphs with a choice of coloured dials and diamonds on the dial and bezel. Now, this isn’t a piece I would wear, but I could see many ladies out there having this as a daily watch. I mean, what’s not to love about it? It is a great size at 34mm so it’s not too small or too large for smaller wrists. It has the diamond indices which gives it a little more of that elegant or dressy look, and the pink dial is a nice pop of colour for those that want something a little more lively than blue, black or white.

Normally, this review would be about a piece that I had on my wrist for a week or so. However, today is a little different. Today, I’m doing a bit of a Q&A with my wife, Dominique as I gave her the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph to wear. This one in particular pops with a pink dial, and diamond indices and is sized great in a 34mm. As someone who’s put up with my watch obsession over the last 17 years or so, she’s also picked up a little watch knowledge by way of osmosis as well. As she isn’t a watch nut like me, but just your everyday person who wears a watch that is more or less functional jewellery, I figured she was the perfect person to review a watch that is designed for anyone to wear daily and can give her thoughts in a more “layman’s” perspective. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

First Impressions

Me: So let’s start with your first impressions of the watch. What are your thoughts on seeing this first the first time?

Dominique: I thought it was pretty! I know that is not very technical, but it’s a nice-looking watch. I really liked the shade of pink on the dial and the diamonds are a nice touch too. It isn’t too over the top either. As you know I’m not a big watch person, and not into all the technical details, so for me, it is more about the look of the watch, and how it looks on my wrist. And I need a smaller watch too because I have small wrists. If it’s too large, I won’t wear it, and the Aquaracer is a good size for me. I wouldn’t go any larger.

The Design

The design of the Aquaracer Professional Solargraph doesn’t need a lot of introduction, but for those who may not be in the know, this collection (the Aquaracer that is), dates back to 1978 when Jack Heuer introduced the Heuer Reference 844. It was Heuer’s first foray into the dive watch market designed for outdoor enthusiasts. This would morph into the 2000 series in the early 1980s, and in 2004, would officially be called the Aquaracer. The modern-day Aquaracer takes its base DNA from the design cues of the early references, and the Professional series builds on this with a less sporty or tool-looking watch designed for the modern watch wearer that doesn’t need the additional functions of the diver. I reviewed one of the Aquaracer Professional 200 models just after they were released back in 2022, and since then, the collection has grown considerably with new sizes, materials, and dial colours, and as such, so has the Solargraph collection within this.

When it comes to the new 34mm Aquaracer Professional Solargraph, you can see all facets of the design in this piece, albeit just in a smaller package. The case shape remains as does the tapered lugs. The uni-directional bezel, while not a dive bezel, still sticks to the form of one and is still useful for timing basic things. TAG Heuer has also softened the bezel as well, giving it a more curved look and using the rider tabs helps with this. The bracelet is very much TAG Heuer with the traditional three-link design and on this piece, the polished inner links and brushed outer gives the watch a slightly more dressy feel.

Me: What about the design of the watch that sticks out, or you really like about the watch?

Dominique: It looks nice as an everyday watch. The full steel means it is pretty solid, and the polished parts make it look more dressy. The dial is cool, I like the pink as it is colourful and gives the watch something additional to look at. It’s nice they’ve used diamonds on the dial too. Makes this look better than your normal watch, and I could see this as a watch that I wear out to dinner or when dressed up.

Me: And what about the case and bezel?

Dominique: Well, it does look a little like some of your watches, but without the coloured insert, it tones the look down (sports watch-wise) and with the pink dial, makes this more feminine. I don’t think a coloured bezel would work with this watch, at least for me. The case is nice, and again, the combination of the polished edges and brushed surfaces means I can wear this whenever I want and won’t look out of place. Comparing it to your watch (talking about my Rolex Submariner) it feels less like a man’s watch and like it has been designed for women.

How It Wears

Me: So, normally when I wear a watch, I go into detail on how the watch feels on the wrist. The first impressions, how it looks, and feels, and anything that may annoy you. Putting it on your wrist, what are your thoughts?

Dominique: You know I don’t like big watches. For me, as I have a very small wrist (14.1cm), so it needs to not look like I’m wearing something massive and chunky. I’m used to my Rado (True Slimline Ceramic) and it’s very thin and smaller, so this is probably just on the border of being a larger watch for me, but I think it still suits my wrist, especially when I see it in your photos.

I really like the way the diamonds shine as well when it’s on, they catch your eye as does the pink dial. As I said before, the overall look of the watch feels less like a sports watch and more like a dress watch. One thing I don’t love however is the bigger crown on this compared to my other watches. Feels a little large for my liking and may annoy me, but I get why it’s there (after I explain the water resistance rating and the fact it is a screw-down crown).

Me: In terms of the thickness, how do you feel about it, as you have mentioned it is thicker than your current watches you wear every day?

Dominique: Look it is thicker, and I am not used to that, but after a while wearing it, I don’t really notice it. I also think because the case is designed the way it is, it sits well on my wrist and the edges of the case help to round it out, so it’s not like I’m looking at a big shiny case side.

Me: I agree, looking at this on you, I think it suits you and your wrist size, and you’re right, the case design helps to make the watch look softer on your wrist. How’s the bracelet though? Do you like it?

Dominique: Yes, I think it suits the overall look, and as I said before, it has those polished parts that make the watch that little more dressy. The bracelet feels ok as well, it doesn’t pinch my wrist, although the clasp is a little bigger than I’m used to with both my watches not having a clasp. I’m not sure if that would annoy me or not, I think I would probably get used to it.

The Movement

One of my wife’s gripes with her current watch lineup is that they are all battery-operated quartz watches. So when the battery dies, then they have to get replaced and while this isn’t a hard task, it’s more an annoyance. So, explaining to her that the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph is powered by light means she never has to replace the battery. Just give it some light, and away it goes.

Dominique: Ok, that’s actually pretty cool. It is really annoying when a battery runs out in my watch as we have to get a new one. I mean I’ve not worn my Longines in ages as its battery is dead and I’ve not got around to getting it replaced, so having this watch powered by light is great!

So, how does it work? Similar to the larger Solargraph models with the TH50-00, the 34mm has the smaller TH50-01 Calibre inside it. It has a photovoltaic capacitor, meaning that any type of light – not just solar – can power the watch. Just 10 seconds of light is enough to get the watch going again once it has stopped. This 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 10 months with no light exposure. 2 mins of direct sunlight will give the watch enough juice for a whole day, and 40 mins of direct sunlight will fully charge the battery so it keeps going for the better part of a year.

Final Thoughts

Me: So, now having had the watch for a little while and wearing it around, what are your thoughts?

Dominique: I think still similar to when I first put it on. It’s a nice watch, and it’s not too heavy or big for me. Yes, it’s a little larger than what I normally, wear, but I think that is just me getting used to the watch, which I have over the past few days. I really like the pink dial and the diamonds as that is something that I don’t have – a watch with colour for one, and to, some nice diamonds on it. It also looks dressier than my current watches, which is also nice. Even though I would wear this to the office most days, I can still wear it out. Like you say, it can go from the beach to the boardroom easily.

Me: So the big question is, if you were in the market for a new watch, would you buy it? What would you say to others who are looking at a new watch?

Dominique: If I was after a new watch, then yes, I think I would seriously consider it. It is different to most other pieces I’ve worn, but that is a good thing as I like to have different things when it comes to clothes and jewellery which includes watches for me. I guess it all comes down to your budget as well. If you were in the market for a new watch under A$5,000 then this is a good option. As you said, it has history and heritage roots, doesn’t need a battery change, and for me, it looks nice on the wrist.

Reference: WBP1318.BA0005

Specification:

• Case: 34mm, Lug-to-lug: 40.6 mm, Thickness: 9.5 mm
• Case Material: Steel brushed and polished case
• Case back: Steel screw-down
• Dial: Soft pink dial with 11 diamond-set indexes and rhodium-plated hands filled with Super-LumiNova
• Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
• Water resistance: 200m / 20ATM
• Movement: Calibre TH50-01 Solargraph movement
• 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

Australian Recommended Retail Price: A$4,350

Availability: Available via TAG Heuer boutiques, Authorised Retailers and at TAGHeuer.com

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