This is the new replacement for the previous WAB model. There are a few differences, most obvious is that they went to a longer arrow head shape on the second hand and it's orange instead of red. It's a bit more shiny as well with polished case sides and the edges of the links.
Bezel: A huge improvement. The previous one was Seamaster-ish with facets that were hard to grip. Now, it's properly "grippy", and has a bit of bling with the six raised tabs being polished. This has been called an aluminum bezel, but as far as I can tell, it's a reference to the insert, not the bezel itself. 120 clicks, smooth with just enough resistance to movement and no backlash.
Case: Brushed top and lugs with polished sides. It has the Aquaracer bump at 9 o'clock which is more noticeable in pics than on the wrist. 316L stainless steel. Short of some exotic material or funky construction method, that's about all you can say about a case. About 41mm diameter, and a bit taller than a Seamaster Pro, call it about 13mm or so, but still fits under a shirt cuff.
Dial: Matte black with applied markers. The center section is depressed a tiny bit from the outer portion, just enough to create a ring effect. A nice touch that adds a bit of detail to the dial. As an aside, the inner edge of the second hand's arrowhead tracks right along the ring. Another thing I like about TAG automatics is that the logo is monochrome, not brightly coloered like the quartz models. It's a bit classier, I think.
Hands: Polished and lumed. They aren't exactly sword type, but they do widen slightly from base to tip.
Bracelet: 20mm at the case with SEL, tapering to 16 at the clasp. All brushed on top, polished on the sides. This one uses pins and collars for adjustment. 20/16 sounds a bit dainty, but it seems to fit the watch. I think TAG was going for a classic/dress diver rather than a serious tool watch like the 500m. The clasp is standard with a foldout extension.
Caseback: Brushed stainless screw down with the dive helmet logo deeply engraved (or cast) into the back, but without the wave background of the previous model. Markings include the standard info about the watc, plus model number and S/N.
Crystal: Flat sapphire, no apparent AR that I can see.
Lume: average, I'd say. I don't check the overnight readability of my watch when I roll out of bed in the morning, so I can't really discuss long-term persistence, but it's good enough in the evening without a flashlight charge shot.
Movement: Called the TAG Calibre 5. if I were the kind of person who would let a new watch run in for six weeks, decide that +6 sec/day was too fast, and use his O. Frei caseback tool to open it up and tweak it, I'd be able to report that it appears to be a Sellita SW200 movement (26 jewels vice 25 in a 2824), with a TAG signed rotor. Also, I'd be able to report there's a plastic movement spacer that looks to be specific to the watch rather than a generic cut to fit.
Again, if I were that guy, I'd now be able to report +3 sec/week. Say what you want about the Sellita vs. ETA debate, I got no complaints. I do know that I would void the warranty if TAG knew that I'd opened up the watch, although there's no red dot like an Omega.
In summary, TAG don't seem to get no respect, but I'd add this to any short list of simple, classic black dial divers. Like a lady's "little black dress", everyone needs a simple black diver that goes with everything. For me, this Aquaracer is it.
Henry
Thanks for the writeup!
