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Introducing TAG Heuer's Aquaracer Solargraph Is Back And Lighter Than Ever

With a new titanium case and bracelet, TAG Heuer has made a great watch for Earth's harshest environments.

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What We Know

After making a splash with their first solar-powered quartz watch last year – the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph in black DLC-coated steel – TAG Heuer is back with a new version of the model. It's the same 40mm size but this time in a metal that seems to be gaining popularity over the last few years: titanium.

The Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph Titanium

Just like last year's release, the traditional horizontal-lined sunray-brushed dial is semi-translucent to allow light to power the TH50-00 solar movement. Made in collaboration with TAG Heuer and La Joux-Perret (owned by Citizen), the movement will never need a battery change, with two minutes of sunlight powering the watch for a full day and 20 hours of solar charge providing six months of power. The date is still at three o'clock and the white indices still glow bright green (or for the minute hand, polar blue, matching the five-minute markers on the outside track) with the same Super-LumiNova.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer 200 Solargraph

What makes this Aquaracer 200 Solargraph really stand out is its new sandblasted grade 2 Titanium case and bracelet, a choice TAG Heuer has said improves "quality and durability" as well as ergonomics, making it lighter and more comfortable to wear while better suited to resist the elements while exploring under the ocean or across some of Earth's harshest environments. The new Aquaracer Solar will be available starting in February 2023.

What We Think
The case of the new Aquaracer 200 Solargrpah

The profile of the new sandblasted case.

While we were pretty excited at the 40mm Aquaracer early last year, the standout in my mind was the release of TAG Heuer's first solar-powered watch. It looked like a quintessential Aquaracer but with the added practical benefit of a solar-powered movement that seems perfect for a hard-core adventurer. The general consensus from the audience, however, seemed to be that the price was maybe a bit steep for what you get. After all, solar watches have been around for a while at more affordable prices (especially apparent when, as I mentioned before, the movement-making partner is owned by Citizen).

This time around, at $3,050 (only $100 more than last year's release), you get a really intensely rugged sand-blasted titanium case and bracelet that almost look like weathered concrete but should wear soft and light like a feather. It's an interesting design choice that fits in line with the adventurer-minded wearer and I'm really curious to see how it takes scratches over a year of use. I have the sense that this kind of sandblasted finish will actually patina better over time, starting with an already rugged and worn feel out of the box. For all the comparison and concern about titanium being a softer metal that scratches easier or stainless steel being heavier, I think people are starting to realize that you shouldn't hold the standards of one metal to the other and accept their qualities for what they are. 

The removal of the lume from the bezel seems like a step backward toward a less-usable watch for divers, however. Only once I'm able to get hands-on with the watch in the coming months will I be able to tell whether the interesting finishing and comfortable weight will outshine (so to speak) that decision on lume.


The Basics

Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph
Reference Number: WBP1180.BF0000

Diameter: 40 mm
Case Material: Titanium grade 2 sand blasted case with Titanium grade 2 sand blasted 60-minute scale unidirectional turning bezel
Dial Color: Black Sunray brushed dial
Indexes: Black applied indexes with white Super-LumiNova®
Lume: Super-LumiNova®
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Sand blasted titanium grade 2 bracelet

The dial of the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph Titanium

The Movement

Caliber: TH50-00
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Winding: Solar

Power Reserve: On full charge, six months with no light exposure
Chronometer Certified: No


Pricing & Availability

Price:  $3,050
Availability: February 2023, in TAG Heuer boutiques or on their website.
Limited Edition: No

For more, visit the TAG Heuer website here.

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The HODINKEE Shop is an authorized retailer of TAG Heuer. TAG Heuer is part of the LVMH group. Although LVMH Luxury Ventures is a minority investor in HODINKEE, we maintain complete editorial independence.