LVMH Watch Week, Miami – January 29, 2024: After carving its own path with the groundbreaking TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph two years ago, TAG Heuer proudly introduces an entirely fresh lineup of TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph watches – exceptional timepieces designed for long-lasting performance and effortless wear, set to become the perfect companion for the great outdoors.
This exceptional collection pays homage to the adventurous spirit of the Aquaracer series, now presented in a brand-new size of 34 mm.
Aquaracer through the ages
The rich history of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer dates back to 1978 when Jack Heuer introduced the Heuer Reference 844, a timepiece designed for adventure enthusiasts. This versatile watch, designed for both men and women who enjoy sports and challenges on land or in the water, paved the way for a new category of high- performance, all condition – even the most extreme – timepieces. In 2004, it was officially named the TAG Heuer Aquaracer.
Bold, active and in tune with nature, the philosophy of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer has always been based on a perfect fusion with the elements while maintaining an innate elegance. In 2022, TAG Heuer embarked on the Solargraph technology journey with a 40mm timepiece with a carbon bezel which took the watch industry by storm, as it is powered by a solar movement, a first for the brand. The year 2023 witnessed a titanium version, expanding the Solargraph family. Now, 2024 is set to redefine elegance and functionality with the introduction of the 34mm size, a perfect complement, and a fresh addition to the Aquaracer collection, stepping towards offering smaller and more versatile timepieces.
Like its predecessors, the new 34mm size models come with the key features of the Aquaracer collection: a unidirectional rotating bezel, screw-down crown, water resistance to 200 meters, luminous markings, sapphire crystal and a double safety clasp.
Snow And Starlight
The new line features a spectrum of five new dials, each imparting a distinctive character to the timepieces.
The everyday line offers two watches, the first adorned with TAG Heuer’s iconic Aquaracer Polar Blue dial and the second one in TAG Heuer’s signature blue dial. The latter option boasts the signature Solargraph elements, including the collection’s distinctive polar blue accents found on the second hand, dial markings, and minute track. These accents serve as a visual hallmark, distinguishing the references featuring the Solargraph technology and infusing it with a unique outdoors story. The dials themselves, emit an alluring charm, making them ideal for those seeking an everyday elegance in their sporting adventures.
Breaking new ground, TAG Heuer introduces mother-of-pearl dials, a first for the Solargraph series. This presented a unique challenge, as Solargraph technology demands semi-transparency to harness solar energy. TAG Heuer ingeniously adapted mother-of- pearl to meet these requirements, ensuring its visibility while allowing light to pass through. The result is a dial that retains its elegance and exhibits an enchanting beauty, a testament to TAG Heuer’s avant-garde.
The latter reference comprises three exquisite timepieces that redefine luxury in sports, including a sleek version, one adorned with diamonds on the indexes, and a third with diamonds gracing both the indexes and bezel. Subtly diverging from the typical polar blue accents that define the Solargraph collection, the watches gracefully introduce an element of understated elegance in perfect harmony with their elevate luxury.
The captivating shimmer of the diamonds combined with the mother-of-pearl dial enhances the enchantment of the watch. The interplay of light and reflection mirrors the sparkle of the first snowfall, a visual spectacle brilliantly captured in the design of these timepieces.
An elegant transformation
While retaining the historic design code, including the ergonomic riders on the bezel – a feature born in 1982 – TAG Heuer’s designers dedicated substantial effort to modernizing the ergonomic riders for these new timepieces. This marks their first departure from rectangular or triangular forms. The new watches have been reimagined with trapezoidal shape riders, aligning with the trapezoidal indexes on the dial, providing a refined and feminine touch to the watch.
The mother-of-pearl dial watch with both diamonds on the indexes and on the bezel keeps the enduring 12 o’clock triangle – a powerful TAG Heuer aesthetic code – with a 1.8mm diamond, thoughtfully positioned to emphasize the triangle’s brilliance.
Sleek and Stylish
Intricately designed and meticulously crafted, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph series is equipped with a solar quartz movement, offering time, date, and second-hand functionalities. Completing the traditional Aquaracer quartz models, this series proudly features a date window at 3 o’clock.
The timepiece’s design journey has also led to a focus on ergonomics. TAG Heuer has modified the lug-to-lug distance to ensure a compact fit that accommodates a wide range of wrist sizes, particularly those of women. The watch’s proportions have been fine-tuned, resulting in a sleek profile with a case thickness of just 9.5mm, making it a comfortable and stylish choice for any occasion.
Sun-powered precision
TAG Heuer’s Solargraph movement is known for harnessing the sun, an unlimited energy source and offers many guaranteed benefits. With the Solargraph movement, there is no need to change the watch’s battery: it is recharged by the sun or artificial light. A two- minute exposure to direct sunlight is enough to power the watch for an entire day. Once fully charged, after less than 40 hours in the sun, the watch can run for up to 10 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.
To develop this reliable and efficient movement, called Calibre TH50-01, TAG Heuer partnered with the Manufacture La Joux-Perret in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The Calibre TH50-01 is developed and manufactured exclusively for TAG Heuer and has a 5-year extended warranty.
