There is no doubt that diving watches hold a special place in the hearts of many collectors, ourselves included. In fact, Analog:Shift was founded with its eyes set squarely on vintage divers.

With their simple designs and robust movements, the tool watches of the 1960s and 1970s were built to accompany the adventurer across the globe and to keep time at its great heights as well as its dark depths. Today, the dive watch segment is stronger than ever, with the spirit of a past era living on in the full spectrum of the market — from entry-level micro-brands all the way up to the big players.

In the late 1970s, Heuer was looking to capitalize on the demand for dive watches, and they succeeded — today, they feature a full line of divers with different shapes, sizes, and movements. In fact, their Auqaracer is the entry point for many young people into the world of dive watches, full stop!

The particular Aquaracer we have here is the chronograph variety — in fact, it’s a special, watch made in honor of Team USA for the 34th Edition of the America’s Cup. Housed in a 44mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal, a steel crown, rubberized pushers, and a unidirectional, black timing bezel, it features a luminous black tapestry dial with applied indices, a matching sword handset, a date window at 3:00, and a triple-register chronograph layout.

Powered by the impressive, in-house TAG Heuer Calibre 16 automatic movement, it comes paired to a black rubber dive strap with a signed, stainless steel push-button deployant clasp. It’s an incredible amount of watch for the money, and represents the cutting edge of TAG Heuer’s modern approach to mechanical chronograph-making.

Try it on for size!