TAG Heuer Link Chronograph Calibre 16 Automatic Watch Review

TAG Heuer's avant-garde chronograph

TAG Heuer Link Chronograph Calibre 16 Automatic watch is one of TAG Heuer's most famous watches, known to be a sporty and elegant timepiece, that looks great in casual as well as in formal settings. The movement Calibre 16 features a date complication, a self-winding mechanism and a chronograph, which is the most significant part of the watch. This watch is definitely a looker and stands out as one of TAG Heuer's most recognizable and desirable watches. Let me share my impressions.

My impression of the TAG Heuer Link Chronograph

I tried this watch on, before I was buying my current darling Link Day-Date Calibre 5. The Chronograph is the most expensive watch in the Link series and is considered its flagship. With the size of 43mm, it's only 1mm wider than the Day-Date, but of course in the mikro-universe of a wristwatch, this makes a huge ifference. The Link Chronograph needs a bigger dial and a bigger case, because the movement consists of more parts and the dial features 3 sub-dials (for counting seconds, minutes and hours).

My TAG Heuer Link Day-Date Calibre 5 Automatic watch.

You could say, that the Link Calibre 16 is a stopwatch added to a normal watch. Because of that, it's about 50% more expensive than the Day-Date I've bought, but it lacks the Day of the week complication. Although design-wise I like the Link Chronograph as much as the Day-Date, but then I was thinking: Do I really want to pay over 3000 Euro for the chronograph complication, which I will rarely use? At this point my answer was no. If I wanted a chronograph, I'd rather choose a model from Link's Carrera or Aquaracer series, but like I said: At this point I don't need it. Sure, when buying this kind of expensive watch, it's not really about need, it's about wanting. I didn't want it, the dial looked less practical to me, the readability of the time was much better on the Day-Date and besides, I love that Day of the week design at 12 o'clock, it always captivates me how beautifully it was done. The Chronograph on the other hand doesn't look too different than various chronographs of other exquisite brands, so I guess in this way I would like to stand out from the crowd. If I judged both watches by photos, I would definitely choose the Link Chronograph, but once you try both watches on and see them from close up, the Day-Date gains in appeal, while the Chronograph loses it's magic a little. Please don't try to tell me otherwise, this is my opinion, I tried both watches on at two dealers and always came to the same conclusion. Nevertheless, this is "criticism" on a very very high level and if you're a watch lover, you know what I mean. In no way I am saying that the TAG Heuer Link Chronograph is a bad watch - to the contrary. It's an awesome timepiece, but I just had to make the choice and decide which one is more suitable for me.

Check the TAG Heuer Link official video:

When the new Link was launched, TAG made this video. Not really my fav though.

TAG Heuer Link Chronograph in concluion

Link Chronograph Calibre 16 is a great watch. Compared to the older 2010 version, the sub-dials were redesigned and are now overlapping each other. That's always a tricky thing to do, as it improves the design and sacrifices the practicality. It is one of TAG Heuer's masterpieces and most notable watches, but it has its price and it will be the best choice for those of you, who like dials with lots of content. If you like simplicity, this one may not be your number 1 choice, but I have to add that the new design is much clearer than its predecessors.

Photo: The Link Chronograph 2010 version

Highlights of the timepiece:

- Fine brushed polished steel case
- Polished steel crown and bezel
- Tachymeter scale on bezel
- Scratch resistant sapphire crystal, double anti-reflective treatment
- Scratch resistant crystal caseback
- Distinctive S-link bracelet with a secure folding clasp
- Hand applied TAG Heuer logo
- Luminescent hour and minute hand, polished
- Sweeping second hand, polished
- Luminescent hour markers
- Water resistant 100m
- Power reserve 42 hours

Complications of the timepiece:

- Self-winding Calibre 5 movement
- Date at 3 o'clock
- Chronograph (3 sub-dials for measuring seconds, minutes and hours)

Ref: CAT2011.BA0952, on TAG Heuer Website

This is truly one of TAG Heuer's most notable and prestigious watches, even though it would not be my first choice. As a chronograph, it's certainly one of the most elegant timepieces I've ever had the pleasure to strap around my wrist. If you look for this type of watch, I would definitely recommend you to consider TAG Heuer Link Calibre 16 as one of the top candidates for your purchase.

Please check my post about TAG Heuer Link Day-Date Calibre 5 here>>

Video of my Link Day-Date: Visual impressions.

[My SWISS WATCHES page][Top photo by TAG Heuer, marked by MKL, 2011]
Related: [2010 Link Review][2011 Link Review][TAG Heuer Website]