TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph Is The Grab And Go All-Star We Need

TAG Heuer released a slew of new models for Watches & Wonders, including a Superdiver Aquaracer with a Kinnesi movement (more on that later). Their most compelling release may be the most accessible in the solar powered Aquaracer Pro 200 Solargraph. This is an all-black affair with a trick carbon bezel, efficient solar movement, and trim case dimensions. It also utilizes the best parts of the new Aquaracer design language, with ridged dial and no cyclops. There’s a lot of watch packed into this 40mm, black DLC frame.

TAG Heuer is splitting their Aquaracer family into two different categories, one geared for diving, and one for the outdoors (though they still have perfectly adequate depth ratings). The Solargraph falls into that latter category, relying on sunlight (or any light, really) to charge its battery-less movement, the TH50-00, that was developed by La Joux-Perret for TAG Heuer. This is the first time the brand has used a solar powered movement, and it makes a good deal of sense here. The movement needs just a couple of minutes in the light to properly charge for a day, and about 20 hours worth for a full charge, which will last 6 months. With any regular use this watch should remain in usable condition, assuming you spend any time at all around a light source.

This movement also keeps the case ultra wearable and light, which is a welcome move for a watch geared toward outdoor use, whatever that might entail. The steel case is PVD black, hosting a black dial with white hands and hour markers for crisp contrast. There’s not much in the way of color, save for the light blue seconds hand and hour plots. The bezel is carbon with ribbons of lume appearing organically throughout. It’s a great touch on an otherwise straightforward watch and provides a great deal of visual personality in both light and dark settings.

A black rubber strap ties everything together and wears quite comfortably, though I reckon all manner of fabric or nylon straps would really sing on this one. We’ll find out once we get our hands on a sample to put through its paces. Outdoors, of course.

As for the great re-positioning of the Aquaracer family, I look forward to seeing how both this watch and the Superdiver lay the groundwork for more fleshed out collections of watches. The name will still throw you for a loop, but if we get more general use, simply built outdoor watches like this, I’m all for it.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Pro 200 Solargraph will be available later this year, beginning in October for the price of $2,950. While there’s certainly value here the pricing feels a touch aggressive for a market largely programmed against non-mechanical watches (in this price range). TAG Heuer.