It’s one of the better clasps out there and certainly in my top three. While on the subject of the bracelet, I have to mention the clasp. It may seem like a negligible point, but anyone who’s had their arms plucked by a bracelet knows just how important this can be! I’m pleased to report that the TAG Heuer Aquaracer bracelet left my arm hair well alone. I’m not the hairiest wristed of folks, but I have experienced bracelets that collect arm hair like it’s going out of fashion.

The Oyster-style shape is a tried-and-tested aesthetic and supremely comfortable on the wrist. Thankfully, TAG Heuer has nailed it with the Aquaracer bracelet. Of course, not all bracelets are created equally. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300 bracelet is smooth It’s nearly always cheaper to buy the bracelet with the watch from the start, but it’s also the better option long-term. The first lesson I learned from RJ was “always buy the bracelet.” He’s right. While TAG Heuer also offers the Aquaracer 300 on a rubber strap, the stainless steel bracelet provides more versatility. While we’re in this line of questioning, the bracelet has to be the number one choice here. The combination of angles and lines with smooth, polished chamfers is just right - sporty yet classy.

It’s modern, with just the right touch of flair, without being too much. I prefer modern stylings in watches, and the sharp-lined geometric case with its dodecagonal bezel is just that. In my opinion, the Aquaracer case is one of the better dive watch cases out there in this price bracket. Ultimate versatility is going from a business meeting at 10am, to the beach at 2pm, to the bar at 7pm. It is another one of those stereotypical tropes found in our industry, but it has a lot of sense. That’s fine for some, but for all-around versatility, you likely want a watch that can fit that “beach to boardroom” vibe. All-over brushing can have the opposite effect and move the watch too far over to the tool-watch aesthetic. Too much polishing can catch the eye and make a watch seem slightly more formal than you might want. I think this is key to the TAG Heuer Aquaracer’s versatility right off the bat. The new 43mm stainless steel case combines a nice mixture of brushed and polished surfaces. In my opinion, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer is pretty much the perfect choice for that one-watch collection. The chances are, you don’t need a split-second chronograph or 1000m of water resistance. Watches for this purpose don’t need to be flashy or allow you to do unnecessary things. A go-anywhere, do-anything dive watch that handled my less-than-careful lifestyle incredibly well. Indeed for several years, I did just that with a not too dissimilar watch to the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300. The concept of having a one-watch collection is not unappealing.

Well, after spending some quality time with the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300, it’s made a solid claim to fill that role.

Some people want a single quality watch that will cover all bases, look good, and serve them well for many years to come - the age-old “one-watch collection” dilemma. To have the means and capability to enjoy multiple luxury watches in our collections is not feasible or even desirable for everyone. However, being a watch collector is a luxury. We use them to express our personalities, so we tend to have different watches for different situations. We see these wrist companions as just that, as we enjoy their companionship throughout our day-to-day lives. As watch collectors, we see our watches as more than a device to tell the time.

Aquaracer tag heuer calibre 5