Tag Heuer is one of the hottest watch brands around right now. Yes, the company has faced its fair share of criticism for making sub-par quartz models. But, the heart of the Tag lineup is full of excellent quality, original designs, and stand-out showstoppers. In this guide, we’ll look at the cream of the crop, ranking the 5 best Tag Heuer watches that money can buy.
5. Autavia COSC GMT
The first watch on this list is the Autavia COSC GMT. This is undoubtedly one of Tag’s most elegantly designed watches. The minimal blue sunray dial, coupled with the streamlined blue/black bezel and thin case make for an effortlessly elegant watch that fits perfectly on any writs in almost any situation. And, if you ever feel the need to change out the strap, you’ll be able to seamlessly thanks to a quick-release button on the underside of the case.
The Autavia is practical, too. Originally designed for pilots, the GMT function allows you to track up to three time zones simultaneously. It’s also water resistant up to 100 meters. So, if you’re looking to build a one-watch collection, the Autavia is a great choice.
And let’s not forget about the COSC-certified Calibre 7 movement, which is one of Tag’s best. The worst accuracy you can expect is -4/+6 seconds per day. Couple this with a power reserve of 50 hours, and it’s easy to see why the Calibre 7 movement gets so much praise.
You can pick up the Tag Heuer Autavia COSC GMT for $5,600 CA.
4. Aquaracer Professional 200
The number four spot goes to the Aquaracer Professional 200. It’s not the flashiest watch in the world, but it is definitely one of the most dependable.
The overall design of the Aquaracer is very sporty and casual. For instance, you’re getting a textured dial that gets lighter in color as you reach the center. This design gives the Aquaracer some nice depth, especially on the blue dial variant. The Aquaracer also comes with a metal bezel that adopts an ergonomic design. It’s definitely on the thicker side, and the lack of contrast between the bezel and the case isn’t for everyone’s taste. However, it is very sporty and will go with pretty much any outfit for any occasion.
Powering the Aquaracer Professional 200 is Tag Heuer’s Calibre 5 in-house movement. This isn’t the best movement in the world, with a particularly poor power reserve of 38 hours. However, it is accurate with a rating of +/- 12 seconds per day. This is very good for the price and will last you years if you look after it.
One of the best things about the Aquaracer Professional 200 is its value for money. For $3550 CA, you’re getting an accurate Calibre 5 movement, a full steel case with brushing, 200 meters of water resistance, and a versatile design that you can dress up or down. You’d be stretched to find something this good at the price from other luxury brands like Omega, Hubot, or even Breitling.
3. Monaco
The Tag Heuer Monaco is arguably the company’s most polarising model, and you’ll either love it or hate it- there’s no in-between. But no matter which side of the fence you sit on, there’s no denying that this is one of Tag’s best watches of all time.
The first thing that will strike you with the Monaco is the square case design. This design does take a little bit of getting used to, but it looks so much better on the wrist than you’d expect. The use of squared chronograph dials is also very unique and makes the Monaco stand out from the rest of the crowd even more. This squared dial is coupled with a high-quality, minimalistic leather strap, which was originally intended to improve comfort for racers.
Powering the Monaco is Tag’s Calibre 11 automatic, which is very accurate, but does come with its flaws such as a fairly low power reserve of 40 hours.
The Monaco has blessed the wrists of countless public figures across the years. For instance, Steve McQueen famously wore Monaco in the 1969 film ‘Le Mans’. And more recently the Monaco has gained traction as the preferred watch of Walter White in Breaking Bad.
You can pick up a Monaco from virtually any authorized dealer for $9,700 CA. However, if you’re looking for a limited edition model, such as the Racing Blue variant, sourcing a model may be more difficult.
2. Carrera Skipper
The number two spot goes to one of the most underrated watches in Tag Heuer’s lineup- the Carrera Skipper Chronograph.
The Skipper comes with more colors than you’d normally see on a dial. The main dial is a deep blue, while the left-most chronograph dial sports a teal color, and the right-most dial a triad of orange, dark green, and teal. These colors have been used to ‘reinterpret’ the dual-counter dial of the vintage Heuer Skipper.
The Skipper is designed to be used as a sports piece, specifically for sailors. As such, the Skipper has a water resistance of 100 meters, which is more than enough for water-based activities. To enhance overall practicality further, Tag also opted for a blue textile strap, which has been “engineered for comfort and durability.”
Interestingly, the Skipper is powered by Tag Heuer’s TH20-00 movement, which is absolutely sublime all-round. Aside from its 80-hour power reserve, the accuracy of this movement is incredible, with some wearers reporting accuracy as good as +1/-1 second per day.
The Skipper retails for $8,4000 CA. However, most retailers are sold out online, so you may need to do some digging to get your hands on one.
1. Carrera 60th Anniversary
The number one watch on this list is also a Carerra, and a chronograph no less! However, the Carerra 60th anniversary adopts a completely different design, albeit in similar proportions.
The stand-out feature of the Carrera 60th anniversary is of course that iconic ‘Panda’ dial design, inspired by the vintage Heuer Glassbox 227 SN model. This dial is complimented by a high-quality stainless steel case with ronded pushers, and a minimal black leather strap which adds to the vintage look.
The Carrera 60th anniversary is powered by Tag’s own HEUER02 movement. This boasts very impressive stats, like a power reserve of 80 hours and an accuracy of -3/+5 seconds per day. Of course, as a chronograph, you’re also getting a ¼ second, 30 minutes, and 12-hour timer.
The Carrera 60th Anniversary was limited to just 600 pieces, and they are completely sold out in official retailers. There are a few up for grabs on the grey market, but the current price is about $ 1,000-1,500 CA above the $9,2000 CA retail price.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, it’s clear to see why Tag Heuer is one of the most popular luxury watch brands worldwide. The company offers awesome designs, solid movements, and a great heritage. The five watches on this list exemplify the best of what Tag has to offer, but if you take a closer look for yourself, you’ll be surprised at what you can find.
To view more information on all of these watches visit the official Tag Heuer website here.
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