The Link is actually one of TAG Heuer’s most redesigned modern-era watches, with a host of models that have existed in the collection’s history starting in 1987. That means that, for 2017, the Cheap Tag Heuer Replica collection turns 30 years old, and on this occasion, TAG Heuer offers a brand new design for both men and women. This is the TAG Heuer Link Calibre 5 collection for men, which debuts the new TAG Heuer Link case, dial, and bracelet. A women’s collection in a 36mm-wide case also exists, with quartz movements.
My first TAG Heuer timepiece was a Link, but it had a very different look than these new 2017 models. The TAG Heuer Link was always meant to be a watch that combined the appeal of both a dress and sports watch – but it does feel as though for 2017 these watches are a bit more on the dress-watch side. With that said, if you consider the Cheap Replica Watches a dress watch, at least it isn’t a boring one. The new interpretation of the Link’s “S-link” bracelet is decidedly dressier, and the dial is more simple, with an ultra-legible set of aggressive-looking hands and hour markers.
2017 sees three silver-plated dial color versions of the TAG Heuer Link Calibre 5 which are silver, blue, or a dark gray color. The case is all steel and 41mm wide, with a sort of cushion-style look which is integrated into the tapering Link bracelet. The case/bracelet integration makes for a cohesive look similar in concept to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak or Patek Philippe Nautilus, which is one good reason such designs have endured for so long.
One design element which very much defines the 2017 TAG Heuer Link models is case polishing. Many of the Link watches I remember have all brushed/satin polished cases, whereas the 2017 collection has contrasting polished and brushed surfaces. This is most apparent in the bracelet, which with this new amount of polish offers a lot of shine compared to more matte-finished Replica Watches bracelets of a while ago. Interestingly enough, TAG Heuer makes some other watches with Link-style bracelets in both the Carrera and Formula 1 collections.
It is my opinion that it will take people a little while for the new generation TAG Heuer Link watch to grow on them. This is a very different type of TAG Heuer Link in terms of looks and personality. It is very rare that you have such a distinctive and bold-looking bracelet matched with a case and dial which are by comparison a bit more simple. With that said, I don’t think this is a bad thing, as we could use more interesting bracelets which call attention to themselves. One good thing is that it appears TAG Heuer has engineered the bracelet to be a bit easier to adjust. Some older generation Tag Heuer Replica Watches bracelets were incredibly complicated to adjust for size. Look at the rear of the bracelet and you’ll see small pushers that are used to remove the links. The bracelet also has a nicely made and substantial-feeling butterfly-style deployant clasp.
The case is water resistant to 100 meters, and over the dial is a flat, AR-coated sapphire crystal. With all the curves of the case, I sort of wonder what the Tag Heuer Replica would look like with a slightly domed sapphire crystal. The dial’s hour markers and hands are very well-proportioned with the latter being extremely well-sized. While most dress watches are a bit more subdued and discreet, the dial of the TAG Heuer Link is filled with large-sized elements ranging from the hands and the hour markers to the text and TAG Heuer logo itself. This is the most “larger than life” TAG Heuer Link I’ve ever seen.
Small details throughout the entire design help round out a sense of refinement, even if the combination of case design, dial, and bracelet don’t work for everyone. As I mentioned, I like the bracelet design, complicated polishing, and even things like the slightly tapering crown and crown guards. This is a macho dress watch for a new generation of mechanical Cheap Tag Heuer wearers, and they aren’t priced too bad given the generous level of detail.