My Article on TAG Heuer WAJ2110 BA0870 Aquaracer Automatic
This was the 2nd TAG I purchased while on vacation recently. Being left handed - the date at 9 o'clock made a lot of sense for us right wrist watch wearing folks. As with most automatic tags - this Caliber 5 movement has a highly decorated rotor on what appears to be an extensively reworked ETA 2824-2 25 jewel movement.
It compares in other areas nicely to my Omega SMP (Sea Master Pro) 007 and Planet Ocean series watches - the TAG with a larger case than my 41.5mm model Omegas.
I've noticed where folks have had CROWN Tube problems with this model - sadly not uncommon - as the larger case diameters cause problems with auto movements never size engineeered for watch cases (over 43mm) now in style. The crown tube 'extension' allows the stem to connect all the way from the crown to the movement junction for manual winding and time and date set. The 43mm case diameter apparently puts torque leverage and pressure on this tube and makes it succeptable to stripping. Other companies such as Philip have had this problem with their 48mm cased Admirale ETA 7750 chrono movement which could I could not have repaired - and Accutron's(Bulova)VX200 with a 43mm cased ETA 7750 where I've laid out $150 each time for 2 such repairs - personal experience on both models.
The Aquaracer has nice heft - adequate lume (I usually don't dive with $2,000 wrist watches) and is a well balanced watch with its stainless steel bracelet and hefty case weight. The exhibition back proudly shows off that well decorated movement. Crown is quite prominent - extending way beyond the crown protectors on the case.
Sapphire crystal should make for years of scratch resistant dial wear. Stainless steel 3 linked bracelet is friction pinned, with a satin finish that hides scratches better than polished links. Divers bezel is 120 clicks to the hour - uni-directional - feels good enough to adjust with or without gloves. Adequate micro-adjustment on the bracelet - but with no divers wetsuit extension on the clasp.
Some purchasers have had an issue on Amazon repair and maintenace. I personally have no experience with the Amazon watch repair organization. I always purchase from Amazon with confidence with many of my other watches.
However - TAG watches sold by Amazon - are 'gray market watches' not covered by the Tag factory service organization. Amazon is not an authorized TAG dealer (AD). I don't know whether a TAG purchased from an AD will have the Crown Tube fixed at no charge either - hope I never need to find out or whether any time period past the warranty expiry is not honored for free repairs. With that said - one has a choice of a greater discount on a gray market watch - versus the TAG warranty coverage offered by an AD (at a higher price). This is a personal choice we all make as consumers - my preference is purchase from an AD on a more expensive watch - or purchase of a 'pre-loved' used timepiece in good condition.
Author owns this watch - and is an Executive Administrator on an internet watch forum.
10 comments:
This was the 2nd TAG I purchased while on vacation recently. Being left handed - the date at 9 o'clock made a lot of sense for us right wrist watch wearing folks. As with most automatic tags - this Caliber 5 movement has a highly decorated rotor on what appears to be an extensively reworked ETA 2824-2 25 jewel movement.
It compares in other areas nicely to my Omega SMP (Sea Master Pro) 007 and Planet Ocean series watches - the TAG with a larger case than my 41.5mm model Omegas.
I've noticed where folks have had CROWN Tube problems with this model - sadly not uncommon - as the larger case diameters cause problems with auto movements never size engineeered for watch cases (over 43mm) now in style. The crown tube 'extension' allows the stem to connect all the way from the crown to the movement junction for manual winding and time and date set. The 43mm case diameter apparently puts torque leverage and pressure on this tube and makes it succeptable to stripping. Other companies such as Philip have had this problem with their 48mm cased Admirale ETA 7750 chrono movement which could I could not have repaired - and Accutron's(Bulova)VX200 with a 43mm cased ETA 7750 where I've laid out $150 each time for 2 such repairs - personal experience on both models.
The Aquaracer has nice heft - adequate lume (I usually don't dive with $2,000 wrist watches) and is a well balanced watch with its stainless steel bracelet and hefty case weight. The exhibition back proudly shows off that well decorated movement. Crown is quite prominent - extending way beyond the crown protectors on the case.
Sapphire crystal should make for years of scratch resistant dial wear. Stainless steel 3 linked bracelet is friction pinned, with a satin finish that hides scratches better than polished links. Divers bezel is 120 clicks to the hour - uni-directional - feels good enough to adjust with or without gloves. Adequate micro-adjustment on the bracelet - but with no divers wetsuit extension on the clasp.
Some purchasers have had an issue on Amazon repair and maintenace. I personally have no experience with the Amazon watch repair organization. I always purchase from Amazon with confidence with many of my other watches.
However - TAG watches sold by Amazon - are 'gray market watches' not covered by the Tag factory service organization. Amazon is not an authorized TAG dealer (AD). I don't know whether a TAG purchased from an AD will have the Crown Tube fixed at no charge either - hope I never need to find out or whether any time period past the warranty expiry is not honored for free repairs. With that said - one has a choice of a greater discount on a gray market watch - versus the TAG warranty coverage offered by an AD (at a higher price). This is a personal choice we all make as consumers - my preference is purchase from an AD on a more expensive watch - or purchase of a 'pre-loved' used timepiece in good condition.
Author owns this watch - and is an Executive Administrator on an internet watch forum.
I got TAG Heuer Aquaracer Automatic 500m calibre 5 at the anniversary 150 years (Heuer)From amazon .com 01/01/2010.
I am very satisfied for this watch.and this watch is tough...NAVY SEALS PROOF...
I always wear this watch everyday.
I am interested the watches in the world. I am a little watch collector...
But,THIS WATCH IS SIMPLE AND GREAT.
THANK YOU,
Sincerely,
NOBUHIKO TAKAHASHI
February/4/2010
Overall I am very happy with the product and having saved $1500 by buying from Amazon I can certainly not complain. Australia retail is $3100 and after taxes I paid $1625 from Amazon, so I am thrilled with the savings. This was my first buy from Amazon and was therefore ignorant of what to expect. I was surprised that Amazon do not use up to date currency conversion (the AUD was worth 98.5 cents US at the time of purchase but Amazon converted at 94 cents) so when buying an expensive item you notice the difference. I was also not prepared for taxes that were $147 but I am very happy that Amazon tagged it on to the upfront expense rather than have a nasty surprise on arrival. I had a bit of trouble with the Australia Air Express courier who delivered to the wrong address and let someone sign for it with a name that has no resemblance to mine. Fortunately honesty prevailed and the person brought the package to my front door. The product itself arrived in the box, still in the plastic with books and receipts. Very satisfied with the purchase overall and delivery in 7 days to the other side of the world by UPS cannot be faulted. Thanks Amazon.
This is my first TAG and I LOVE this watch. I am not a diver, but diver watches have always caught my eye. I love the fact that this isn't just a plain diver watch - you can dress this watch with a suite or with jeans it goes extremely well either or. The stripes and the fastening around the bezel really portray a fantastic style.
This TAG really brings a whole new outlook to the Aquaracer series. If you're in the market for a diver watch, I highly recommend giving this some thought!
I looked for a long time for a watch and settled on this model as a great balance between dressy and sporty. I also loved the heavy duty quality of the construction. I won't use if for diving much but i like the fact is feels like its well made and substancial. I also really loved some of the Carrera watches but they didnt seem as well built to me...
I also bought the rubber strap and learned how to pop the metal one out. Its easy and gives me two completely different looks for the watch. I am very satifisfied. I was going to buy the Quartz but i just didnt like the bright orange second hand... I preferred the Quartz's accuracy and low maintenance but prefer that aesthetic of the automatic..
Super happy with this purchase so far!
this watch is awesome in every aspect, superb finishings, superb quality feel, and at 43mm the size look awesome in the wrist.
the dial is a work of art, the anti-reflecting coating on the crystal makes the dialwork more apreciable, the linear design makes it ever more handsome.
the markers and hands are very bright in the dark [as a professional diver should be]
the bracelet and case are superbly finished, if you hold this piece you will notice the great work TAGHeuer has put into this timepiece, and the attention to detail is awesome.
i also own Omega and Rolex so i know about quality.
Its considered a big watch (43mm, for me...asian wrist), but on the wrist it just feels just perfect. I have other watches that are either smaller/lighter or bigger/heavier ( Rolex SM(40mm) and Omega PO (45mm)) The Tag Aquaracer Calibre 5 Auto is on my wrist more than those watches now. The "new" look/design is way better than the old design, which led me to get this watch in the first place....but wow, didn't know it would look and feel so good on my wrist.
Hey, excellent timepice!! I am the owner of quite good watches as Omega Seamaster but this is one of my favorites. This is a real good looking pice and a reliable one. The service is incredible good.
This Tag Heuer watch is the crown juvel of divers watches. Perfect attitude, size, design, quality and rough steel bracelet. Use to have Omega Seamaster - but this watch is much greater, but without Rolex lack of initiative.
This is my first product from Tag Heuer and I was apprehensive to purchase it not only because of no previous experience with the brand but also buying from an unauthorized dealer, but I decided to give it a chance and buy direct from Amazon.
I've had the Aquaracer 500M Calibre 5 Automatic for a week now and I'm thrilled with it. The quality of the wristwatch is very high. The watch itself is a large piece but I have big wrists so it doesn't look gigantic on my wrist. People with smaller wrists may be put off by the size of the watch though. I didn't have to make any adjustments to the band to wear the watch, it fit properly right out of the box. The watch is also heavy but both the size and the weight give it a satisfying substantial feel. The rotating bezel turns effortlessly and the design is such that the black portion is ribbed and actually slightly recessed, which should help preserve it from scratches over the long run. The face of the dial is also ribbed and has an interesting textured look to it. The large size of the face makes it very easy to read. The date is magnified with a "cyclops" at the 9 o'clock position rather then the traditional 3 o'clock position. The magnification is strong, though I would not say it's as strong as a Rolex. At night the hands and dial glow adequately but I would not call it bright. The case back has an observation window so you can see the internal components of the movement. The clasp includes an expansion for placing the watch over a wet suit if it is to be used for diving.
I have previous experience with a Tudor "automatic" watch that was very poor, so I was very concerned at how accurate and reliable the Aquaracer 500M would be. I've set the date and time once via [...] and thus far after one week it has lost 4 seconds so it's operating well within acceptable automatic watch specs, some might even say it's running exceptionally well. I check the accuracy daily. I've experimented with the old "self regulation" tricks to see how they effect the 500m and I've found putting the watch crown up at night results in -2 seconds, laying it flat results in -4 seconds, and placing it crown down yeilds +2 seconds. The loss in time since setting can be accounted for, it appears, by the positions I've placed it in at night. If concerned about the accuracy the Aquaracer 500M is also available in a quartz(battery operated) model.
Shipped from Amazon the watch arrived promptly and the serial number, manuals and box were all intact. The international warranty card was not included however, but the watch is covered by a warranty direct from Amazon.
After one week of owning the watch I can hardly think of a negative comment about the Aquaracer 500M. The only thing I can think of is the brushed stainless finish, while beautiful, scratches very easily. Light scratches appear to be easily buffed out with a Scotchbright pad however.
In my search for a new watch I was considering the Rolex Submariner and the Omega Planet Ocean besides the Aquaracer 500M. I decided on the 500M due to Amazon's price and I was comfortable with a warranty through Amazon. I am 100% satisfied with the purchase and the Submariner and Planet Ocean are distant memories.
Posting Komentar