What We Know
The Aquaracer, first introduced in 2004, is the tough tool watch in the Tag Heuer lineup, and the Solargraph is one of the most recent extensions of the Aquaracer range, bringing quartz timekeeping and fuss-free solar power to the brand’s generalist dive watch. Just in time for Summer (in this hemisphere), Tag Heuer has launched an extension of the Solargraph, offering new colorways and the option of a new, smaller case size.
In 2022, Tag Heuer began using La Joux-Perret’s new solar-powered movements in some models that it labeled ‘Solargraph’ as part of an exclusive deal with the Swiss movement maker that saw the brand’s owner, LVMH, later take a minority stake in LJP. Today, Tag Heuer is updating the Aquaracer line with four new 40mm models (spanning steel or titanium), as well as four 28mm-diameter steel-case versions for the first time. All the new models are powered by the Solargraph movement, underscoring the brand’s commitment to new solar tech, which is also used in its relaunched Formula 1 watches.
The new 40mm Aquaracer comes in both steel and titanium models and features an updated bezel with ‘rider’ tabs and grain-textured elements, as well as a sharper, finely brushed case construction with added fluted elements at 9 o’clock to better balance the crown guards at 6 o’clock. TAG says the handset has also been updated, and the bracelets are now easily interchangeable, with quick-release spring bar tabs, allowing for easy swapping to rubber or other straps.
The steel 40mm models come in two versions, with a blue or green sunray-brushed dial. They are priced at $3,100 each. There are also two titanium versions. A black sunray-dial model featuring turquoise highlights, the brand dubs ‘polar blue,’ is housed in a grade 2 titanium case with a matching bracelet and is priced at $3,600. A grey sunray-brushed dial version with rose gold indexes, rose gold-plated hands, and logo elements is housed in a grade 5 titanium case with a matching bracelet and is priced at $3,850.
All four new 40mm Aquaracer models offer 200 meters of water resistance, a screw-down crown, and feature hands and indexes filled with white Super LumiNova. They are all powered by the Caliber TH50-00 Solargraph movement produced by La Joux-Perret for Tag Heuer. With just 10 minutes of natural or artificial light, the Solargraph movement can deliver up to 40 hours of power, providing up to 10 months of autonomy when fully charged.
Also debuting is a new 28mm steel Aquaracer in four versions, each featuring diamond indexes. The case lacks the fluting seen on the 40mm version, and the bezel features rider tabs with more polished elements, resulting in a shinier timepiece overall. The new models include sunray blue and sunray black dial versions, both featuring 12 diamond indexes. The 28mm versions offer 100 meters of water resistance and feature a push crown. They come on a polished center-link, three-row bracelet that doesn’t offer the same quick-change feature as the 40mm version. The blue-and-black dial versions with diamond indexes are priced at $3,050.
A mother-of-pearl dial version with the same rhodium-plated applied diamond indexes is also available and priced at $3,250. Meanwhile, the premium offering in 28mm features a diamond set bezel with 36 stones set between polished rider tabs surrounding a mother of pearl dial with yellow gold plated diamond-set applied indexes, a yellow gold plated Tag Heuer logo and yellow gold plated handset filled with Super LumiNova that appears white by day but glows green at night, making the iced-out version the only 28mm Aquaracer to use luminescent material.
Each of the new 28mm Aquaracers uses the TH51-00 movement, which basically does the same duty as the TH50-00 found in the 40mm version. The TH51-00 debuted in 2024 when Tag released 34mm versions of the Aquaracer, some with diamond indexes. Interestingly, the new modern Aquaracer bezel with rider tabs also made its debut on the 34mm version released at LVMH watch week in 2024.
What We Think
Though it has been a part of the catalog for more than two decades, the Aquaracer hasn’t been getting the attention that other Tag models, particularly the Monaco and the re-birthed Formula 1, have garnered in recent seasons. The updates to the Aquaracer are welcome, as the rider-tabbed bezel is a differentiator in the crowded category and also throws off some vintage vibes of some Super Professional models of old. The new case of the 40mm version adds to the rugged profile of the Aquaracer, underscoring its promise to accompany you on just about any adventure. Given the choice, I’d take the grade 2 titanium version with the black dial and polar blue accents, which seems a worthwhile upgrade from the base-model steel for $500 more.
The 28mm version is a much more committed design choice than the previous 34mm versions that TAG said were aimed at female clients. Still capable and rugged, it’s a more refined version of the Aquaracer that shows a side of the model we haven’t really seen before.
It’s interesting and notable that Tag Heuer is utilizing Canadian swimmer and three-time Olympic champion Summer McIntosh as the face of the campaign for the new 28mm Aquaracer models. It’s also good to see Tag Heuer lean in further to its commitment to the Solargraph movement developed with La Joux-Perret, as the solar tech, developed with assistance from LJP’s parent company Citizen Group of Japan and its decades of experience with Eco-Drive, seems the most promising route for Swiss made movements to achieve the convenience and accuracy of quartz while keeping a Swiss craftmanship and technology premium with customers.
The Basics
Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Aquaracer Professional 100 Solargraph, Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph
Reference Number: WBP141E.BA0049, WBP141G.BA0049, WBP141H.BA0049, WBP141J.BA0049, WBP1117.BA0047, WBP1118.BA0047, WBP1184.BF0008, WBP1190.BZ0003
Diameter: 28mm, 40mm
Thickness: 8.07mm (28mm) 9.96mm (40mm)
Case Material: Steel, grade 2 titanium, grade 5 titanium
Dial Color: Sunray blue, green, black, grey, white mother of pearl
Indexes: Applied, rhodium, rose or yellow gold plated, with diamonds on 28mm models
Lume: Super LumiNova on 40mm and on 28mm MOP / Yellow gold model
Water Resistance: 100m for 28mm models and 200m for 40mm
Strap/Bracelet: Three link bracelet in steel, grade 2 or grade 5 titanium with quick release on 40mm models and steel folding clasp with double safety push-buttons with adjustment link extension
The Movement
Caliber: TH50-oo, TH51-00 Solar Quartz
Functions: Hours, minutes seconds (28mm models) hours, minutes, seconds, date (40mm models)
Power Reserve: 10 months on full charge
Chronometer Certified: No
Pricing & Availability
Price: $3,050, $3,250, $5,350 (28mm models); $3,100, $3,600, $3,850 (40mm models)
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No
For more, click here.
