This watch was a year in coming. I saw one, tried it on, thought about it, then decided to wait. In the interim I tried on the Omega SMP, the Fortis space diver, even one of those huge Oris dive watches. I also tried on several of the mid size Breitlings. I went back on got the tag almost a year later. The Blue dial Tag Heuer 2000. And I don't regret it. The goal: I was looking for a "nice" Swiss automatic watch that can be worn anywhere -- with jeans or bike shorts or a button shirt. Had to be able to fit under or over a sleeve, meaning not too thick in the case and preferably a bracelet with a diver's extension and safety clasp. It also had to have a common lug width (or at least lack an integrated bracelet) so that it might be put on a strap. The dial should have luminous markers and a contrasting dial (black or blue -- blue in this case). It had to be at home at work, eating out, wrenching in the garage, hiking, at the movies, or bicycling -- an everyday watch. So enter the Tag 2000 blue dial.
The Tag Heuer watch has been much-maligned by watch enthusiasts -- known amongst themselves as WIS though none can agree on the meaning of the acronym -- for a long while. While many WIS seek out the older models, most of more recent tags are not highly received. They use a basic ETA, they offer too many quartz models and not enough automatics, they are overpriced, the looks of their models are blah. The criticisms are mostly valid and fortunately, Tag seems to have reacted. They have brought back some of their classic models, such as the Carrera, as well as coming out with new models with superior looks and function int he diver watch field, such as the Aquaracer diver's watch.
However, the watch here predaters this new and positive trend from Tag: The 2000 series. Maybe it was the start of it? The 2000 has been around for a few years, and is offered in both quartz and automatic versions. The benefit of this is that with Tag's quartz models being priced so high, the automatic costs very little more, which is a boon for the watch enthusiast. Unlike the Tag's most are familar with which are status symbols for the watch-ignorant who just have the money to dump on a name brand, the 2000 is a functional blend of style and -- well -- function.
The case: The case is polished except for the back and bezel. The caseback has the Tag logo engraved nicely with the text around the edges including "200m tested". I gave it a poor mans brushed finish and the "bling" factor is notably decreased from the case lugs and sides, which is good as it won't show dings as much as it would with a sharp polished finish. The bezel is sweet; the alternating polished and brushed finish accents the curves of the slim yet sturdy case; the ridges on the top of the bezel, which protrude from the sides slightly, allow it to be turned easily without being a "snag-magnet" -- however, they also break the bezel up visually serving as markers. The bezel "clicks" firmly into place and seems to have no looseness or "wiggle room" to speak of in a virtical plane.
Band: The band is nicely done, with foldover clast with the Tag logo. Although the watch is only rated to 200m, it thankfully comes equipped with a diver's extension. The central sections of the links were highly polished but a quick brushing toned them down. The watch does not have solid end links, but there is no rattle.
Dial: The dial, though primarily offered in glossy or metallic finishes such as silver or black, is easily read due to the raised luminous indices contrast with the blue dial -- even tho it is shiny. The bezel is metal, rather than having a colored insert, making it less susceptible -- theoreticly -- to scuffing, and lending the watch a simpler look. So far the only criticism I have of this watch is dial markings -- in regards to the "12". There is no lume at the 12 spot, just metal numerals, and it would not have hurt Tag-Heuer to offer it. Nor would it have broke the bank to offer the watch in an all brushed finish. The stock finish is Very Well Done, but being a fan of mostly "tool" watches I do find it a bit dressy.
Movement: True, the Tag used a "basic" ETA automatic, but the finish appears good; the hand mov't is smooth as silk and the winding and setting "clicks" feel firm. The crown is nicely threaded and screw down tightly, into a recess in the side of the case, which removes the need for troublesome crown guards. The downside to this is that, for those with big fingers, it is somewhat hard to finish screwing the crown in.
All in all, it's hard to find a better medium sized diver's watch.
It isn't the "toughest" looking watch out there, or the "nicest", but the finish is on par with most mid-level expensive brands I have handled from classics like Omega to "sleeper" brands like Fortis.
- :)