I often enjoy watching natural history programmes on television which focus upon aquatic creatures dwelling in deep waters.

With evolution, fish have adapted to their environment. Some carve through water with consummate ease, courtesy of their streamlined shape and efficient means of propulsion. Alternatively, some sea creatures have acquired ingenious methods of hiding themselves from potential predators.

Over the years,   has revisited its Aquaracer model, honing each element, enhancing each iteration of the watch and, in so doing, ensuring superb operation both on terra firma and beneath the ocean’s surface.

The latest evolution of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300m (43mm) Calibre 16 Automatic Chronograph Ceramic Bezel Black Version seems to draw upon nature with several aspects of its specification. Allow me to elaborate further.

The dial

The black dial is decorated with a ‘horizontal streak effect’. These parallel ridges adorning the dial surface are reminiscent of the wake following an object moving through water. The darkness of the dial has a stealth-like quality, as if it wishes to hide from the menacing stares of potential predators.

Whilst the dial is black, the hour and minute hands are highly polished and lined with luminescent material, proving very visible in restricted light. The central chronograph seconds hand is slender and features a luminescent tip, framed with a vivid shade of yellow. The hour markers, again repeating the polished treatment of the hands, are lined with luminescent fill and are triangular in form but with truncated tips.

A small seconds display resides at 9 o’clock. Its appearance resembles the cross hairs of a telescopic sight and its surface is smooth.

Two chronograph registers are arranged along the north-south axis. Below noon, a 30-minute chronograph register is located, whilst opposite, above 6 o’clock, is a 12-hour chronograph register. Both chronograph registers share similar styling with snailed centres, framed with graduated scales.

The date display, positioned at 3 o’clock, is highly legible, courtesy of a magnified lens positioned above. A minute track frames the dial surface, allowing the wearer to read elapsed times easily.

Overall, the dial of the Aquaracer 300m (43mm) Calibre 16 Automatic Chronograph seems to exhibit a discreet, almost covert character while remaining incredibly simple to read.

The case

TAG Heuer offers different variants of the Aquaracer 300m (43mm) Calibre 16 Automatic Chronograph, including a polished steel option. However, in this instance, my attention is directed towards the ‘sandblasted black titanium carbide coated titanium Grade 2’ . The surface is matt, avoiding attention and evincing a hushed persona.

This watch has a maximum water resistance of 300m and sports an engraved depiction of a diving bell on its caseback. Its robust appearance seems akin to a closed clam shell, keeping the internal components dry and safe from harm.

The only aspect which gleams is the unidirectional bezel equipped with a shiny ceramic insert on its upper surface. The bezel rotates with a pleasingly positive action, free from any unwelcome lateral wobble. The silver coloured numerals on the bezel prove highly legible.

Like a small crab, nestling in between the rocks, shielded from danger, the crown adopts a similar strategy. The crown protectors mitigate the risk of harmful damage to the screw-in crown and the winding stem.

Operating the chronograph pushpieces necessitates a firm press. Indeed, the pressure required to start, stop and reset the stopwatch function means accidental operation is highly unlikely.