Introducing: The New TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date And GMT
TAG Heuer released the last generation of Aquaracer Professional 300 divers in 2021. That’s not long ago, but the brand must be listening to the market. Updated versions are here today with new dials, smaller cases, and significant mechanical changes. The outgoing models were already compelling, which makes these new versions even more intriguing.
TAG Heuer’s releases from the prior decade disappointed many watch enthusiasts, so I was skeptical when the brand announced the new Aquaracer Professional 300 in 2021. Thankfully, the watch ushered in a new era, and most TAG Heuer releases since that time have been quite good. Today’s news relates to the largest case size in the lineup and affects the Date and GMT versions. There’s much to unpack here, so settle in for the details!
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date
Let’s begin with the new Aquaracer Professional 300 Date models as these will likely be the volume leaders. TAG Heuer has introduced three new variants with stainless steel cases. There are versions with either a three-row bracelet or a rubber strap. Even though the watches look very similar to their predecessors, they have new cases. The diameter has dropped by 1mm to 42mm, and the thickness is up by 0.5mm to 12mm. The lug-to-lug is wearable at 48mm.
Regarding dial choices, TAG Heuer offers a black sunray dial with a light blue seconds hand, a navy-blue sunray with an orange hand, and a green sunray with a yellow hand. The strap options match the colors of the dials and are limited to the black and blue versions. Note the move away from the former dials with their horizontal lines. Now the dials resemble waves. The indexes look larger but retain the general shapes. The hour hand is now segmented, and the outer minute track is less fussy.
The new Aquaracer Professional 300 Date contains two colors of Super-LumiNova that are noticeable in the dark. Matching the blue-glowing minute and seconds hands is a luminous triangle at the 60-minute mark on the unidirectional dive bezel. TAG Heuer has elected to keep the internally mounted magnifier over the date window at 6 o’clock. Other features include a screw-down crown and an all-steel case back with a diver’s helmet in relief.
Big changes inside
The Aquaracer Professional 300 Date sees a real upgrade in the engine room. The watches now use the TH31-00 caliber made by the AMT division at Sellita. This 30-jewel automatic movement has 80 hours of power reserve and an official chronometer rating. That’s a healthy improvement over the previous Calibre 5 with just 38 hours of power reserve.
The prices are up but only slightly
We’re used to higher prices, but the new Aquaracer Professional 300 Date is only CHF 300 more than the model it replaces. The models on bracelets will sell for CHF 3,700, while the rubber-equipped variants list for CHF 3,500. Considering the upgrades, that sounds very fair for a more wearable and much better watch. The dial changes and slight cosmetic modifications also feel like improvements.
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT
TAG Heuer has also brought new Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT models. These watches have the same 300m depth rating while adding GMT functionality. The case diameter and lug-to-lug measurements are consistent with the Date model, but the thickness increases to 13.45mm due to the added complication.
The GMT comes in two flavors. A blue-dial version is paired with a black and blue ceramic 24-hour bidirectional bezel, while the green-dial version comes with a green and black bezel. Both have a date function and a dial layout similar to the Date model.
In addition, both come with a three-row bracelet, while the blue model is also available on a blue rubber strap. The bracelet and strap options use a push-button closure and allow for a centimeter of easy micro-adjustment.
A similar movement upgrade and fair pricing
The Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT uses the new TH31-03. This is part of the same movement family as the TH31-00 found in the Date. For reasons I can’t fathom, TAG Heuer failed to mention whether this is a caller- or flyer-style movement. The prior edition was a caller, so we will need to wait until more information about this new release surfaces. (Note: TAG Heuer responded that the watch is a so-called “caller” with an independent 24-hour hand.) We know it has 80 hours of power reserve and a chronometer rating. The GMT is only moderately more expensive than the Date version. The bracelet models retail for CHF 4,100, and the variant on a rubber strap will sell for CHF 3,900.
Final thoughts
The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date and GMT watches represent a significant upgrade over previous models. Smaller case sizes, more than double the power reserve, and a chronometer rating sum up a worthy contender among dive watches. These Aquaracers also remain attractive and modern with their updated dials and colorways. Finally, in what is a refreshing move compared to most brands, the small price increase means they’re quite competitive.
For more information on the new Aquaracer Professional 300 series, visit the official TAG Heuer website.
