TAG Heuer Introduces the Aquaracer Professional 500 Date for Deeper Exploration

The latest dive watch bridges the gap between rugged performance and everyday wearability, offering enhanced depth capability without excess bulk.

TAG Heuer

Amidst the significant spotlight on the new TAG Heuer Monaco references (Steve McQueen and Evergraph), the unveiling of the Aquaracer Professional 500 Date at Watches and Wonders 2026 was somewhat subdued. With this new offering, the brand addresses a deficiency in its diving watch collection. This new pair of limited editions strikes an appealing equilibrium between the sophisticated, everyday Professional 300 and the extreme, now-obsolete Professional 1000 Superdiver (2022), providing both wearability and substantial underwater proficiency.

The origins of the Aquaracer collection are profound. Since the introduction of the Heuer Reference 844 in 1978, the brand has produced durable, readable, and dependable tool timepieces designed for authentic adventures. The Aquaracer series has established six essential features: unidirectional bezel, screw-down crown, robust water resistance, luminous components, sapphire crystal, and secure clasp, all of which are incorporated in the new Aquaracer Professional 500 Date.

In contrast to the cumbersome Superdiver, a timepiece with substantial diving qualifications (as evaluated by our in-house diver Derek), the Aquaracer Professional 500 Date maintains a versatile 42mm case with a manageable silhouette. Nevertheless, it remains a reliable instrument for aquatic pursuits. The case and bracelet, constructed from grade 2 titanium, highlight both lightness and durability. Weighing merely 120 grams, the watch is far lighter than its steel equivalents. The construction adheres to the contemporary Aquaracer design aesthetic, with a dodecagonal unidirectional bezel, pronounced geometric lines, and a combination of sandblasted surfaces. The subtle incorporation of a helium escape valve maintains the case's sleek design and signifies a definitive advancement into professional diving. Located at 10 o’clock and crafted from black DLC-coated titanium, it facilitates the safe release of trapped helium during decompression, a critical feature for saturation diving. The titanium screw-down crown, adorned with the shields logo, is safeguarded by discreet guards, while the caseback, with an image of a diver’s helmet, is sturdy.

TAG Heuer

Two dial executions are available. The blue-accented variant presents a more traditional nautical look, featuring a black gradient wave-pattern dial, blue accents on the minute flange and seconds hand, and a bezel with a blue 15-minute dive scale. The second reference incorporates high-visibility orange accents on the flange and bezel. Both models include substantial applied geometric indices and prominent hands, infused with Super-LumiNova. The minute track, available in white or orange, is clear and distinct, particularly on the blue-accented reference. A date window at 6 o’clock is enlarged using a lens embedded behind the sapphire crystal.

The Aquaracer Professional 500 Date is driven by the calibre TH30-00, a COSC-certified automatic movement operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and providing a 70-hour power reserve. This Kenissi-manufactured movement, already validated in the 1000m Superdiver and sharing the same overall architecture as Tudor, Norqain, Fortis, Chanel, and Bell & Ross, ensures reliability and chronometric precision in this new model, supported by a five-year warranty. The watch is presented on a coordinating titanium bracelet secured with a folding clasp that has double safety push-buttons and a micro-adjustment system, guaranteeing secure fit over a wetsuit and comfort for everyday use.

The new Aquaracer Professional 500 Date models, priced at EUR 5,400, USD 5,400, or CHF 5,100, solidify TAG Heuer’s standing in the contemporary dive watch market, providing a blend of performance, materials, and design within a highly competitive sector. Each edition is restricted to 1,500 copies and will be available shortly. For additional information, please visit tagheuer.com.