The TAG Heuer Aquaracer is a luxury watch collection especially built for water sports. And it is just one of the notable collections released by the said Swiss watch brand. Even in the early years, TAG Heuer (or simply Heuer back then) has already made its mark in the history of the watch industry. Among its significant contributions is the invention of oscillation pinion that has been instrumental in sports timekeeping and the stopwatch that can measure up to 1/100th second. As the company grows and more technological innovations were introduced in watchmaking, more premium timepiece collections are being launched. To know more about this and the TAG Heuer brand, you may visit this link.
Going back, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer is a fusion of bold style and outstanding water resistance. It was launched in 2003 but it was inspired by a collection originally launched back in 1982 called the Heuer 2000. TAG Heuer Aquaracer, as mentioned, is notable for its bold style – in angles, facets, and even bezel numerals. As such, its dial is easily readable. Its timepieces may also be built with steel, gold, or combined metals while the bracelets may either be metal or rubber. There are models for both men and women. Also, since the collection is primarily for water sports, Aquaracers are water-resistant up to 300 meters. Each timepiece may cause you around $2,000 to $3,000.
If you want the Aquaracer’s style but don’t want to spend that much, we’ve listed here some cheaper yet quality alternatives for you.
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Best Affordable Tag Heuer Aquaracer Alternatives
Casio MTP-VD01D-1EV Enticer
The first one on the list is a casual sporty watch – the Casio MTP-VD01D-1EV Enticer. It is made of a stainless steel case and bracelet, and a mineral crystal dial window. The bezel is marked with minute markers while the black dial features luminous hands and hour markers. It also has a date window located at 3 o’clock. It uses a Japanese quartz movement. The downside, however, is that it is water-resistant to only 50 meters so it is not advisable to use for water sports.
Stuhrling Original 676.02.SET Aquadiver
Another timepiece with the water-resistance of up to 200 meters is the Stuhrling Original 676.02.SET Aquadiver. It also has a metallic dial while the unidirectional bezel is a mix of blue and white. The bezel is still marked and the dial comes with luminous markers and hands and uses a Swiss-quartz movement. The case is aluminum with reinforced steel corners. The bracelet, moreover, is interchangeable, It comes with a stainless steel triple-row link but may be swapped with a durable silicone rubber that comes with the timepiece.
Invicta 9094OB Pro Diver
Next is the Invicta 9094OB Pro Diver. From the name itself, you can expect that it has a higher water resistance rating compared to the previous one. Well, it is water-resistant up to 200 meters so it is already suitable for swimming, water sports, and even various marine activities, except for scuba diving.
This particular model features a unidirectional blue bezel and a metallic blue dial. The case and bracelet are both made of stainless steel. Similar to the Casio model above, it also has minute markers on its bezel, luminous hands and hour markers on the dial, and a date window at 3 o’clock. The movement, however, is a Japanese automatic.
Fossil Bannon BQ2506
The Fossil Bannon BQ2506 is another recommendable alternative if you’re only going after the Aquaracer’s style as it is not suitable for water sports. Its water resistance rating is good for only 5 meters. This particular Fossil Bannon is notable for its half green and yellow bezel with metallic green dial. It features luminous hands and hour markers and a date window at 3 o’clock. These are driven by a quartz movement. More so, both the 45mm case and the 22mm bracelet are made of stainless steel.
Hamilton Khaki Navy H82335131
Another alternative mentioned in this forum is the Hamilton Khaki Navy H82335131. It actually looks very similar to the previously-listed Mido Ocean watch. Its bezel, case, and bracelet are all made of stainless steel. Both the bezel and dial are also black with white hour and minute markers. Its date function, however, is located between 4 and 5 o’clock. The dial window is made of a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The Hamilton Khaki Navy H82335131 is Swiss-made and is powered by a Hamilton Calibre H-10 automatic movement with a power reserve of up to 80 hours. It is water-resistant up to 100 meters.
Mido Ocean Star Captain V
Now, this next alternative is one of the recommendations from this forum.
The Mido Ocean Star Captain V is an affordable steel watch powered by a self-winding automatic calibre 80 movements. It is built with a black crooked-side bezel with minute markers and a black dial with luminous hands and hour markers. It also has a day and a date function at 3 o’clock. Covering the dial is an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. It may not have the same water resistance as the Aquaracer yet it is suitable for professional marine activities, surface water sports, and even skin diving as it is water-resistant to 200 meters.
Certina DS Action Diver Powermatic 80
The Certina DS Action Diver Powermatic 80 is also a recommendation from this discussion. Aside from being a silver-toned stainless steel timepiece, it is also water-resistant up to 300 meters, similar to the TAG Heuer Aquaracer. Its black bezel also features a unidirectional top ring with markers. The dial is also black with luminous hands and hour markers. There are also minute markers at the outer ring and a date window at 3 o’clock. Protecting the dial is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The movement used is a self-winding automatic Powermatic 80 with an 80-hour power reserve. More so, the bracelet measures 20mm and comes with a push-button release clasp.
Davosa Ternos Diver
If you’re looking for another Swiss-made alternative timepiece, the Davosa Ternos Diver. It promises premium quality and builds that the manufacturer offers a two-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Read Amazon Reviews here.
Unlike most other alternatives on this list, its bezel is made of ceramic. Its case and bracelet, however, is still made of stainless steel. There are easy-to-read markers on the bezel while on the dial are luminous hour markers and hands. The date function is located at 3 o’clock. You may also choose the color of the dial and bezel among its models; there are black, green, blue, gold/black, and gold gray. The Davosa Ternos Diver is powered by a Swiss automatic movement and is water-resistant to 200 meters.
Longines Hydroconquest L37414566
Now, this last alternative is perhaps the most similar to the TAG Heuer Aquaracer. It is a Swiss-made timepiece powered by an automatic (Longines caliber L619/888) movement with a 64-hour power reserve. It is also a silver-toned stainless steel watch, with a unidirectional bezel that features a black top ring with easy-to-read markers. Even the black dial features bold and luminous markers and hands, and a date window at 3 o’clock. Covering these is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. In terms of water resistance, it is still similar to the Aquaracer that’s resistant up to 300 meters.
