« The Exciting Aquaracer Hulk Ranks Among the Most Popular Models »
As part of its brand-new Aquaracer collection, Tag Heuer launched a coveted titanium model with a green dial at Watches & Wonders 2021. The 43 mm dive watch follows the revised design language from La Chaux-de-Fonds: thinner and lighter than its predecessors, it brings an improved bracelet adjustment system to the wrist and adopts what is arguably the most influential color trend of the past two years. Time to take a closer look at the Aquaracer Hulk!
Seven References, Two Case Sizes: The New Collection
In total, the redesigned Aquaracer Professional 300 collection comprises seven references, four of which (including the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Green) have a 43 mm case diameter and three a 36 mm one. The wide gap between the sizes is hotly debated among experts, and many fans are hoping for a 40 mm model to be added later as the happy medium. In our view, though, this isn't strictly necessary, because the new 43 mm versions already sit more ergonomically on the wrist than their predecessors thanks to shorter lugs, lower weight, and a reduced case height. This applies especially to the Aquaracer Green, which, unlike the other six newcomers, has a titanium rather than a stainless steel case.
All the new models have received extensive cosmetic updates: fresh hands, a simpler dial design, and a more angular ceramic bezel are the most important changes.
The Aquaracer Green and its sister models in the new WBP2XX reference family draw their power from the Calibre 5, which is based on the ETA 2824-2 and delivers a moderate 42-hour power reserve. This movement may not be revolutionary, but it scores with reliable performance, good accuracy, and low servicing costs.
Sandblasted Grade 2 Titanium
Let's shift our focus from the family as a whole to the green Hulk, whose full name is Tag Heuer Aquaracer 300m Calibre 5 Automatic 43mm and which carries the reference number WBP208B.BF0631. On first contact with this watch, water-resistant to 300 meters, we notice its extremely low weight, which comes down to the all-titanium construction of the case and solid bracelet. The material used is Grade 2, which, thanks to its high corrosion resistance, is the most common titanium alloy in industrial applications. In the Hulk, the material is sandblasted, creating a matte aesthetic that gives the dive watch a meaner look than its polished stainless steel siblings.
A More Elegant Rotating Bezel with a Yellow Marker
Another advantage of the matte design is that it showcases the green rotating bezel of the Tag Heuer Hulk particularly expressively. The redesigned ring is not only easier to grip than before; we also like it for its more elegant markings. These have lost some of their angularity, creating a softer, more understated look compared with previous models. An interesting detail is the triangle at 12 o'clock, which appears in yellow instead of white only on the green Aquaracer. Speaking of white: at night, the diver's minute scale glows with blue Super-LumiNova, which is also found on the minute and seconds hands. Because the hour hand and indices glow in contrasting green, the wearer benefits from first-rate legibility in the dark.
A Green Dial with a Clean Look
In broad daylight, the dial likewise impresses with exemplary legibility. The highlight, of course, is the green color, which strikes a balance between luminous intensity and a military khaki tinge. As a result, the Aquaracer Hulk conveys a professional impression while standing out from most familiar shades. The dive watch shows decisive aesthetic improvements over older models: alongside simpler hand shapes and fewer printed elements, it's above all the repositioning of the date window from 3 to 6 o'clock that creates a more attractive, symmetrical look. Like its sisters, the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Green features a cyclops lens over the date and enhances its three-dimensionality with horizontal grooves on the dial. Attention to detail is evident in the tip of the seconds hand and the "Automatic" lettering, both of which appear in the same yellow as the 12 o'clock triangle on the bezel.
Well Thought Out: The New Bracelet on the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Green
Whether or not you choose a green dial, the new Tag Heuer Calibre 5 Automatic comes on a completely revamped solid bracelet. Its innovation lies in a redesigned clasp that allows tool-free adjustments of up to 1.5 centimeters while you're wearing it. It's a smart and extremely practical system that many manufacturers have adopted in recent years, and it has finally arrived on the Aquaracer. The advantage of the Tag Heuer Hulk over the stainless steel models lies in the greater scratch resistance of its titanium, which means the mechanism is subject to less wear over the long term.
Carrera: More Green Watches from Tag Heuer
According to the manufacturer, the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Green is priced at €4,000, making it noticeably, but not dramatically, more expensive than the 43 mm stainless steel models at €2,850. You can view the extra cost as an investment in titanium's rarity, better skin compatibility, and lightness. Incidentally, if you love green watches, you'll find an interesting alternative in the Swiss brand's lineup. It bears the lengthy name Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre HEUER 02 Automatic Chronograph 44mm (Ref. CBN2A10.BA0643) and, with its in-house movement including a stopwatch function, sits a class above the green Aquaracer.
Key differences are the nearly doubled power reserve of 80 hours, the stainless steel case, the lower water resistance of 100 meters, and the fixed tachymeter bezel, which, unlike on the Aquaracer Hulk, doesn't match the dial color. Officially, the Carrera Calibre HEUER 02 Automatic Chronograph 44mm is available for €5,450.
