The TAG Heuer Aquaracer ref. WAF1120 is a direct descendant of the foundational Heuer 2000 series, representing a crucial evolutionary stage for the brand's professional dive watch. This reference from the mid-2000s embodies the six key features TAG Heuer established for its aquatic timepieces, including 300-meter water resistance, a screw-down crown, and a unidirectional bezel. Its two-tone steel and gold-plated finish was a popular and defining aesthetic for luxury sports watches of this specific period.
From its founding in 1860, Heuer established a reputation for precision built on foundational innovations. Edouard Heuer's 1887 patent for the oscillating pinion remains a critical component in modern chronographs, while the 1916 "Mikrograph," the first stopwatch capable of measuring 1/100th of a second, secured the brand's role as an official Olympic timekeeper. This early focus on accuracy naturally led to a deep-seated connection with motorsports, where the brand's dashboard timers became essential equipment for rally drivers, laying the groundwork for an identity forged on the racetrack.
The brand's ties with racing was immortalized in the 1960s with a trio of legendary chronographs: the Carrera, Autavia, and the avant-garde Monaco. The Monaco, with its distinctive square case, became an icon on the wrist of Steve McQueen in the film Le Mans and was one of the first watches to house the groundbreaking Calibre 11 automatic chronograph movement. After its acquisition by Techniques d'Avant Garde (TAG) in 1985, the brand solidified its legendary status through a decades-long partnership with Formula 1.
Overall Grade: 8 / 10 | Great Condition, Visible Wear Production: 2011 Contents: Full-set Genre: Dive Watch
Size: 39mm Thickness: approx. 9.5mm Lug Width: approx. 20mm
Case: Stainless steel case, brushed and mirrored finish, light visible wear Bezel: Gold-plated unidirectional timing bezel, light visible wear Dial: Silver sunburst stepped dial, applied gold-tone markers, lumed Hands: Gold-toned baton hands, lumed
Crown: Gold-plated signed screw-down crown, light visible wear Crystal: Sapphire crystal, light visible wear Bracelet: Two-tone steel bracelet, light visible wear Caseback: Solid steel screw caseback, diver helmet engraving, light visible wear Movement: Quartz Caliber: Swiss ETA base