Customer Reviews

TAG Heuer Men's CAF2111.BA0809 2000 Aquaracer Automatic Chronograph Watch

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had this watch for about two weeks now and my initial impressions are as follows:

Positive:
Given that this watch is an automatic and it's not COSC-certified, I'd say that the accuracy is not bad. On average, it runs about 7-8 seconds fast per day.
Aesthetically, I like the way the watch looks. I like the abundant use of contrasting polished and unpolished steel throughout the face, case, and bracelet. At first, I was a bit weary of how difficult it may be to see the polished silver hands in front of a silver/white face, but the hands do stand out well so that easily reading the time is not a problem.
I've already accidentally knocked the watch against a lot of walls and concrete pillars. So far, it seems to be holding up well with no scratches or crystal damage.

Negative:
Although I haven't scratched it yet, I can see that I'll have to be especially careful not to damage the polished center links of the bracelet - if you like to rest your wrist on the table while working on the computer, the bracelet probably won't look new for long.
The fold-over clasp sticks and I can see it getting too loose over time. Tag should have used a push-button clasp - like the one found on my $200 Citizen.
The unidirectional bezel rotates a bit too easily - that can be frustrating if you actually use it for timing purposes like I do.

Overall, a pretty decent watch. I saved about 35% over retail by buying it through Amazon. Tag won't warrantee the watch because Amazon isn't an authorized retailer, but Amazon backs the product with their own warrantee.

Gave this gift to my husband on his birthday. He loved it! He said It's a great everyday watch. It's very light compared to his breitling. Well recommended for chronograph automatic movement lovers.

Keeps good time, but wear and tear on the polished parts shows up realy quickly. Would not recomend this for daily use.

This is a beautiful watch. Nice and heavy and built like a tank. The picture on the Amazon site absolutely does NOT do it justice. The color on the brushed steel (as opposed to polished) is totally off (much darker than in reality). See the Tag Heuer site for a much better representation of what this watch really looks like. As you know, automatic watches are less accurate than quartz movement. My watch is 5-10 seconds fast per day. This is not a problem for me. The Amazon price is outstanding. After shopping around on the internet and in stores, this is certainly the best price. For reference, the Tourneau store at my local mall sells this watch for 2700 as the standard non-sale price. They do have it on sale for up to 20% off, but even on sale, its still far more expensive than Amazon's price. As far as sizing goes, I purchased the 10 dollar watch band link removal tool from Amazon and figured out how to remove the links myself. On this watch, the pins simply push/pull out either direction, although one direction was easier. I also needed a towel, small hammer, and small needle nose pliers for the band resizing. I was able to remove 2 links and put everything back together without any problems or scratches (although I did bend a pin pulling it out...but I doubt I'll need it anytime soon). Compared to the non-chrono versions of the aquaracer, the chrono watch face is bigger. While the face diameter is the same, there is an additional ring between the face and the bezel, and the body around the watch is also bigger. This makes for a significant increase in overall watch size...FYI. The chrono certainly isnt huge, (not as big as most of the Omegas I saw in the store) but the chrono is definitely larger than the non-chrono.

This watch definitely has some thickness and weight to it. I'm a bigger guy and I actually like the bulk and weight, but it may be a turn off for someone looking for something sleeker or lighter. Overall I'm extremely pleased as this was exactly what I was looking for and it was a pleasant suprise when the watch arrived looking SO much better than the pics on the internet (I had only seen the black faced version in the store before hand). With the peace of mind that the Amazon warranty offers, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

It's been 3 weeks wearing this Tag,accurate & eye catching!
this is my second Tag,i owned an Aquagraph from Amazon too.
i will say 2000 Tag aquaracer is "best swiss auto chronograph at Amazon's price"

I have been wearing this for awhile and really like it a lot. It has held up great and is really resistant to scratches. If purchasing sight unseen, I would go to a jewler to make sure you are OK with the weight of this watch. It is fairly heavy, but I love the heft.

I order this model from Amazon, for US$1,299.00 the only difference was that it was in white. I was unsure because the price was too low, but decided to go ahead, the watch is original & Brand New, and in perfect conditions, LOVE IT!!! Specially the price. Of course from Amazon you do not get an international warranty, just the Amazon one which I think is enough, I think in this issue consists the price reduction becuase Amazon is not an authorized retailer from TAG, but in this kind of watches rarely you'll need to repair them, ans you have a warranty for it... The delivery was amazing, right on the spot.

The Watch:
At first I was not too keen on the shinny markers of the rotating crown, until I gave it a very strong hit against a pool bottom, while diving, this markers are an excellent protection against this kind of accidents. Sapphire crystal has already been given various tests and pass with flying colors. Of course this is an automatic, do not expect the accuracy of a quartz, but if you know about watches you'll get an automatic, well worth timepiece. What I liked most about this watch is the disposition of the chronometer, very similar to the Link (200m Water Resistance), and Carrera models(50m Water Resistance), but with 300 meters resistance to water and with lower price.

On the down sides, the crown rotates to easy for my taste, the bracelet polished parts will get scratched as well as the shiny markers on the rotating crown and the security clasp will wear down over time, but still FIVE STARS for the watch, TAG HEUER and AMAZON are my personal favorites...

Be sure to check all offers, this watches become available from time to time in the great deals around $1,300.00 from AMAZON... I surely will buy another one for my collection.

I've been procrastinating the writing of this review for awhile on account that I wanted to get used to and familiar with my Aquaracer. I think I'm at that point, so here goes.

Why a TAG? After reading several dozen reviews about watches, my first time "luxury watch" (I hate that phrase, it's so pompous and erudite) purchase decidedly boiled down between the Omega Speedmaster and the Tag Heuer Aquaracer. You know what I discovered? Omega is the better choice. Do I regret my Tag purchase? Not in the slightest. I knew buying my Tag that Omega makes a better watch (in terms of movement solely) but what it came down to for me was aesthetics, case construction and brand history. The Omega Speedmaster is an ugly damn watch. The bulbous crystal begs to be cracked by railings and posts. Plus, it has that vacant, soulless black dial. I've tried it on several times thinking one day it would click with my taste and I just can't get over how boring that watch is. Oh yeah, plus that ugly Speedmaster bracelet with those weird two lines of slender polished links. Wtf are those? No thank you, ugly. Give me the robust links on my Aquaracer any day.

Yes, the Omega guts will likely outlive my Tag's (apparently, the origin country plays a big role on quality movement--although I'm willing to argue otherwise) but I intend on keeping up with the annual maintenance and cleaning, so it'll be fine. Plus, the Speedmaster is small. It's, like, 39mm or something. Trying one on feels like you're wearing a Swatch. Again, no thanks. The Aquaracer has that satisfying heavy duty feel. The raised metal ticks on the bezel have saved my crystal several times already.

Tag has a company history which I'm a big fan. Sure, I could have bought into the whole JFK wore one and it was worn on the moon, but B.F.D. (Tag was the first watch in space, a feat they seem to downplay). Tag has that classic American (yes, I acknowledge the company was born in Switzerland) subtlety I prefer. Having an ensconced history in both automobile racing and aviation. It's like a Rayban aviator, a Triumph motorcycle or Levi's denim, something about the Aquaracer gives it an indelible appearance: one that will neither go out of style or give up the ghost to faulty design. That latter statement will probably be argued by Omega enthusiasts as a unsubstantiated argument (it is) as Tag has foreign parts and blah, blah, blah. Tag makes a much more beautiful watch, so eat my ass.

The bracelet is durable and features a beautiful taper from case to the clasp. Yes, the polished elements will scratch. People need to understand that's just part of the watch wearer record. Scratches indicate a life well lived, one who doesn't exist in fear of his possessions. I like scratches. I have scratches on my bracelet from Paris, New Zealand, Portland, Amsterdam, you get the idea. It's my world traveler. Gives my watch cache and adds to the patina of adventurous. Look, it's jewelry and that's all.

As mentioned on other reviews, the Aquaracer has a lot of weight. I highly encourage a person to go to a jeweler and try one on to ensure both size and weight. I have a build kind of like Waiting-era Ryan Reynolds--IE: not a very large guy--and so the 41mm case was a preferred fit. Some dudes like a 43mm case and so I recommend the updated Aquaracer. Frankly, for me the heaviness adds to the appeal. It's a reminder of its presence and makes it feel like a luxury watch. They say that, like, 75% of a car purchase hinges on how the car door sounds as it closes; well I look at watch weight similarly. To me cheap watches light (less they're dress or Patek timepieces). Again, this is just an opinion and isn't substantiated by evidence outside of the inherent psychology.

My Tag shines, too. I love the brushed stainless elements more than the polished. And because this watch is monochromatic in its stainless color, I've found it to be really versatile. I wear it fine dining as fittingly as when I wear it walking through an airport, playing sports or working in the office. Some douchenozzle mentioned that his watch dies if he wears it at his computer. Mine hasn't died and I sit at a computer most of day, so I don't know what he's talking about. It's never died on me outside my home in fact.

I will say that the watch doesn't get a ton of compliments. Actually, the only compliments I've gotten were from other watch people. I have a yellow faced Fossil watch (CH2545) that receives WAYYYY more compliments than my Tag. Seriously, if you want a watch that will get you some damn compliments, get that Fossil watch. It's insane. It should be renamed to the Fossil "Pussy Magnet." But again, my Tag doesn't get compliments due to its understated elegance and this is also a preference on my part. I like subtlety. If you want compliments, I recommend getting a Grande Date Tag, Grand Carrera, or go full on stadium watch with a Breitling (a POS, from what I've read).

One bode of contention, I wish the buttons that operate the chronograph were screw down instead of simple pushers. They feel like they're begging to get water-logged, since they don't have that screw down feature. Of course, that would preclude my bringing the $1,500 watch into a swimming pool (yes it's a divers watch, but seriously--wtf are you thinking when you put metal in a corrosive salt-water / chlorinated environment?) Dude, buy a cheap Invicta diver for those occasions. Swimming with expensive jewelry is like swimming with eyeglasses. I don't sympathize with a person being a horses ass with his fine accessories.

As for the runs-fast complaint, whatever. It's an analogue automatic watch, not an orbiting satellite. It takes twenty seconds to roll back my minute hand once every three weeks. Plus, that implies I haven't let the watch die from not wearing it for three days (btw, that's an amazing feat, having a solely automatic movement that can last 72 hours without a recharge). I have a bunch of watches I move between, so it's inevitable that by the time I wear my Tag again it'll need to be reset. 20-seconds and I'm good to go.

My gf, who wasn't a watch person but is becoming one, loves my Tag too. It's handsome. And it's as versatile as you want it to be. Just when buying one, avoid all the Aquaracers in all the stupid trendy colors and come with all those gimmicky gizmo features (watch speak: complications). Get a simple, timeless color and you'll be able to wear it for years without looking like a schmuck wearing his neon blue Tag from the eighties.

Ultimately, consider this poorly written review as utmost support to this particular color and pedigree of Aquaracer. I'm a big fan.

This watch was given to me as a birthday gift from a rich girlfriend. I lost her, but kept the watch. I love this thing. It is indestructible. After smashing the sapphire crystal into walls, railings, door knobs and other similar objects the face looks brand new without a single scratch. I do have mild surface scratches on the ring and band, but these do not stand-out in any way. This is just an amazing and beautiful watch.

Not satisfied with product. Had it for three months and the face of the watch in fogging up. Somehow water got into it. It supposed to be a diving watch????