Following the unique Aquaracer Solargraph two years in the past, the inexpensive solar-powered diving watch is now offered in a extra compact format with the Aquaracer Skilled 200 Solargraph with a 34mm case that homes the photo voltaic powered TH50-01.
First ideas
The Aquaracer has lengthy been one among TAG Heuer’s most necessary entry-level fashions. Nevertheless, for a number of years the fashions have been principally giant or cumbersome till the model launched the extra transportable and solar-powered 40mm mannequin two years in the past.
The brand new Solargraph retains the acquainted design and solar-powered motion, however incorporates a smaller case. With a diameter of 34 mm, this mannequin tends to be extra of a girls’s watch, so an intermediate or “mid-size” mannequin of 37 mm or 38 mm might be nonetheless lacking. Nonetheless, the colourful dial choices – which notably do not reveal the photo voltaic panels – are notable and hopefully a sign that the bigger mannequin gives extra selection.
With costs beginning at $2,150, the price-performance ratio is cheap (at the least for a Swiss model) given the execution of the case and dial in addition to the progressive photo voltaic caliber.
That being mentioned, Swiss-made photo voltaic powered actions are comparatively uncommon, making this a comparatively uncommon providing. Whereas there have been a handful of solar-powered fashions from Cartier, these haven’t made it to market in important numbers, maybe as a result of difficulties in mastering large-scale manufacturing. In distinction, Japanese manufacturers like Citizen simply produce a number of million solar-powered watches per 12 months.
Because of this, TAG Heuer would be the solely Swiss producer with a major presence in solar-powered watches – due to its partnership with Citizen, which offered the expertise for the actions by way of its Swiss subsidiary La Joux-Perret.
A photo voltaic powered sports activities watch
The brand new Solargraph is accessible in 4 dial configurations: radial brushed blue, concentric patterned gentle inexperienced and white mother-of-pearl, with the choice of diamond markers for the mother-of-pearl model. What’s essential is that each one dial variants appear to be abnormal watch dials with utilized hour markers.
Though photo voltaic expertise requires watch faces to be semi-transparent to harness the solar’s power, Solargraph’s watch faces appear to be conventional watch faces, an necessary consider trying like a standard watch moderately than a tool. For instance, each the inexperienced and blue dials resemble dials with a metallic end.
The brand new Solargraph retains the acquainted Aquaracer case, which comes from the 2000 sequence from the Nineties. The polygonal bezel options trapezoidal lugs harking back to the trapezoidal indices on the dial. Notably, the lugs characteristic recessed facilities with a matte end surrounded by polished raised edges, including a extra refined contact to the general look.
On this sense, the case is refined with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. The extremely polished bevels alongside the lugs hint the profile of the case, whereas the bracelet is brushed on the outer hyperlinks and the middle hyperlinks are extremely polished.
The watch is provided with the TH-01, a solar-powered quartz motion that eliminates the necessity for battery alternative because the battery is charged by photo voltaic panels underneath the dial that work in each daylight and synthetic gentle. Simply two minutes of publicity to daylight is sufficient for a full cost that lasts 10 months.
The surprisingly excessive technical stage of the motion is defined by the truth that all TAG Heuer solar-powered actions have been developed in collaboration with La Joux-Perret, the Swiss motion producer headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, which is a subsidiary of Citizen. maybe the world’s most prolific producer of superior solar-powered watches. There’s a five-year prolonged guarantee for this caliber completely from TAG Heuer.
Key knowledge and value
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Skilled 200 Solargraph
Ref. WBP1311.BA0005 (deep blue)
Ref. WBP1312.BA0005 (mom of pearl)
Ref. WBP1313.BA0005 (mom of pearl with diamond indices)
Ref. WBP1314.BA0005 (mom of pearl with diamond indices and bezel)
Ref. WBP1315.BA0005 (polar blue)
diameter: 34mm
Peak: 9.7mm
materials: Stainless-steel
Crystal: sapphire
Water resistance: 200 m
Motion: Cal. TH-01
Options: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
Winding: Photo voltaic powered quartz
Vitality reserve: 10 months
belt: Matching bracelet
Restricted version: NO
Availability: From February 2024 in TAG Heuer boutiques, retailers and on TAGHeuer.com
Value:
Deep Blue: $2,150
Polar Blue: $2,150
Mom of Pearl: $2,350
Mom of pearl with diamond indexes: $2,950
Mom of pearl with diamond indexes and bezel: $5,000
For extra data, go to TagHeuer.com.
Again to high.
