Long-term Ownership Review of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 Automatic 300m (WAN2111)

In this review, we will look into what long-term ownership of an entry level luxury watch looks like -- specifically a TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 Automatic 300m (Ref #WAN2111.BA0822) purchased in 2014. This is a watch that has a great look and feeling on the wrist, with high quality construction for the case and bracelet. That said, it also cuts some corners to save costs along the way -- e.g., using a cheaper stamped clasp with no on-the-fly microadjustments available, imperfect handset and dial finishing, and a lower-cost ETA 2824-2 or SW 200-1 movement.
Will an affordable luxury watch end up costing more money than a luxury watch with a larger number written on the price tag? Watch to find out.
NOTE: This review is a long-term review, and as a result is for an older model of this watch. Newer models of this watch are available that address some of the issues discussed here.
Table of Contents:
00:00 Intro
03:24 Specifications (PRO: Versatility)
04:07 CON: "Calibre 5" Movement
05:15 PRO: Case + Caseback
05:51 CON: Aluminum Bezel
06:28 CON: Cheap Feeling Clasp on High Quality Bracelet
06:58 PRO: Strong Lume
07:52 PRO: Overall Look + Feel
08:07 CON: Handset / Dial Finishing
08:46 CON: Out of the Box Precision
10:12 Discussion: Service Experience
14:04 Discussion: Cost vs. Value Delivered
16:52 Discussion: Don't invest in watches
18:54 Wrap-up

[@David-uz5zo]

If you're doing it right, you buy a watch because you like it and you want to pass it on to your Sons, nephews etc., resale and whether you can make a profit should be the last thing you should worry about when buying a watch... watches are not stocks

[@ithper]

If you’re doing it right? That’s subjective.

[@asotomayor]

I still got my WAN2110 purchased from an AD back in 2011 and still looks great. I wear it pretty much every day. The one and only complain I have is with the crown, that’s it, otherwise it’s a solid daily beater.

[@oliverklein8149]

Thanks for the very comprehensive review! Funny, I own the black version (Wan2110) that I also bought in 2014. What I like about the watch: very versatile, timeless design, good overall building quality and finish, very comfortable bracelet, movement can be easily regulated within COSC specifications. What I dont‘t like (that much): Cheap clasp that is not very durable, occassional problems with the crown, simple movement grade (elaboré only). Overall it‘s a good watch and - due to its versatility - an excellent daily beater.

[@Alex-mo9qt]

I bought a 2020 aquaracer brand new from a AD and about 6 months later the auto winding mechanism would spin like a helicopter when winding the watch. I sent it in to TAG and they replaced the whole movement for free. Only took about 2 months from the day i shipped it to recieving it back

[@Alex-mo9qt]

Awesome review!

[@67NewEngland]

Point of note- Tag has since completely redesigned the AquaRacer model .

[@rrowicki9442]

Good job with review

[@ikiboisart]

With great review comes great advice. Lol thanks!

[@75dt21]

Man, why don’t you have more subscribers, great content. I wouldn’t pay over $1000 for a watch unless I was making 10 times what I am now. I love San Martin & Cronos watches, so little to pay for a quality watch that is probably at least on par with a Tag Heuer

[@NicksPicksWatchReviews]

Yeah if I could do it over, I would have looked into a microbrand with a Swiss made movement, but I wasn't aware of the micro-brand scene -- at all -- at the time. Thanks for the kind words, I'm sure subscribers will come over time. I don't put into the marketing of this content what I would at my actual job, and I don't pay for subscribers either :-)

[@sergiomozdzenskijr.9246]

Great content!

[@NicksPicksWatchReviews]

There was a comment posted here about reviewing my Omega long term. It seems to have disappeared but I will answer it anyway. I'll totally do that once I've had it longer. I just bought my Seamaster 7 months ago, so it hasn't really needed a service yet or seen enough life to really make a mark on it (other than the AR coating haha).

[@sayharris1361]

Thanks for your insight, I think I’ll save my $7500 and not buy the black golf Tag Heuer Monaco CAL5110.FC6265. If I’m going to end up paying another $2000 to have it serviced in less than five years that’s a waste of money.

[@TroubledTurnip]

Yeah, I don't know man.. I get that Tag's lose their value pretty quickly, but there is a lot of value hiding in that little 2824/SW200 that you're taking backhanded swipes at. If anything happens to that movement any monkey with a loupe and a pair of tweezers can fix it. Even better, the SW200 movement itself can be had for peanuts so you can just replace the whole thing.. essentially giving you a band new watch. Sure, I can accept the old aluminum gets dings but even those are trivially replaced by said monkeys, though they've made the switch to ceramic these days so the issue is moot. Basically, most of your complaints about the value of the watch are because you had Tag work on it rather than your friendly neighborhood watch maker and really you should be giving them business; as more brands are going in-house, watch makers are finding themselves locked out of a lot of work (Swatch Group is especially aggressive about not allowing watch makers to have parts). I think your criticisms are valid to an extent but you definitely could have had all your work done for a few hundred bucks. Comparing that to the cost to service a Rolex, well..

[@Dave.S.TT600]

exactly. well said!

[@martinpark8371]

I'm surprised at the clasp I bought mine in 2010 and it has a double push button milled clasp

[@stinkintoad]

I have a black dial wan2110 and it's not very accurate- losing about the same time you stated. I got a quote for $450 for a service. It's a very nice watch and I paid about a thousand for it 6 months ago on ebay.

[@NicksPicksWatchReviews]

Because it features a rebranded workhorse ETA 2824-2 movement, you could probably take it to nearly any watchmaker and get it regulated at the very least for less than $100. It wouldn't address seals/oils/etc... But typically you will get a water resistance test in the process and expert eyes on the movement to identify if service is really needed or not. Enjoy your watch and wear it in good health!

[@franciscorosetavazmonteiro1227]

bruh anybody ever told you that, you could ace a jordan peterson impression.

[@NicksPicksWatchReviews]

Nope, I can't say that I've heard that one before 🤣

[@AboutTimeWatches]

Sorry was driving

[@vicentvanmole]

Service Cost of Rolex can buy you a few Tag?Good advise not to invest in watch esp.Rolex .I bought 2 ,both lost $

[@paulbonaventura4969]

How ? I thought Rolex's appreciated (at least the steel models)?

[@briandorsey6437]

@@paulbonaventura4969 watch MANY Rolex’s go wayyy down over the next 2 years - LALA land is done…

[@grzegorzkolodziej1781]

@@paulbonaventura4969It appreciated as long as there was a Rolex bubble. The Rolex bubble has burst and while when your comment was written it was hard to buy any second hand Rolex in my local jeweller now he cannot sell them. Rolexes are even on sale in my local luxury clothing shop and still not selling.

[@kevinyang1944]

The problem of Tag Heuer: The watch was made of softer grade of steel. Easy to be scratched. The watch is not time accurate enough for its price. There are many better watches in its price range.

[@VVS1920]

Like what? Any examples?

[@kevinyang1944]

@@VVS1920 Breitling for example

[@grzegorzkolodziej1781]

@@kevinyang1944Automatic Breitling is at similar price as automatic Acquaracer? In what universe? Breitlings are twice the price.

[@876yuugt]

That's simply not true. What an ignorant comment

[@bigingo4269]

no more Tag Heuer

[@user-yh6lb1hd5b]

Часы- *авно. Не берите, таг уже давно не тот. За эти деньги лонжин или не много добавить орис