The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver perpetuates the Swiss marque’s penchant for sub-aquatic timepieces. With a depth rating of 1000m and a helium valve, this watch is capable of extreme underwater use. However, its blend of peerless legibility, robust case construction and COSC-certified precision are equally valid on dry land. Angus Davies gets hands-on with this über-masculine, Swiss divers’ watch.

The steering wheel was large, imposing and felt luxurious to the touch. Every switch delivered a tactility second to none and the rotary heating controls exuded a charming simplicity. Every element of the car felt hewn from granite. It may have been over-engineered, but the 190E promised years of reliable service. Alas, I couldn’t make my budget stretch to the 190E, hence I had to settle for a BMW 3-series instead. The Bavarian express wasn’t too shabby, but it wasn’t a match for the thoroughbred from Untertürkheim.

This watch is endowed with a torso capable of withstanding the colossal pressures associated with life 1000 metres below the ocean’s surface. As someone more accustomed to paddling in shallow waters, this new divers’ watch is, on paper, over-engineered for my modest subaquatic requirements. Nevertheless, eager to serve the needs of my readers, I recently road-tested the Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver, albeit with my feet firmly on terra firma.