Overall, I chased TAG Heuer on their ability to Remain on task with the dial of this Link Calibre 5. It is sporty, legible, attention-grabbing, and otherwise, as controlled as possible. The case is actually three distinct shapes all somehow rolled into one. How did that happen? This is because the dial is around, the bezel is cushion-shaped, and the instance itself is tonneau, with wide lugs that incorporate right into the bracelet. I know for certain that the method by which in which the Link appears on the wrist is very different than previous ones and this can make some fans somewhat standoffish at first. To those individuals, I’d urge patience and allow the new design grow on them. This might be a new personality for the TAG Heuer Link, but it is a welcome one using a more spirited voice and awareness of purpose.The TAG Heuer Link collection has and is still all about the bracelet. TAG Heuer retains the core DNA of the “S-curve” link, Link bracelet, but leaves it in a totally new manner. The new hyperlink bracelet is beefier and a lot more polished. It also retains that infuriatingly intricate bracelet construction system that needs to be adjusted exclusively by a trained professional. While you can size this bracelet yourself (with the proper tools), I wouldn’t suggest it.

A remake modelled on the Autavia ref. 2446 “Nina Rindt” of the 1960s, the Autavia Heuer 02 is the flagship of TAG Heuer‘s Heritage line. Only just recently the base for a “panda” dial Jack Heuer birthday special, the Autavia has once again been tweaked to create a 150-piece limited edition for the United Arab Emirates.

Loosely inspired by the sun and sand of the Persian Gulf, the Autavia UAE Edition has its bezel insert and chronograph registers in brown, not unlike the faded “tropical” dials that are fashionable amongst vintage watch enthusiasts.

The dial itself is cream, with the Super-Luminova on the hands and hour markers done in a tan shade, once again to mimic the look of vintage watches.

Though TAG Heuer has begun to introduce regional or national editions with increasing frequency of late, they are affordable and mostly attractive, as this one is. It’s a good looking watch, and also fairly unusual, for a relatively modest sum.

Livery aside the watch is identical to the stock model, with a 42mm steel case and the Heuer 02 movement inside. The product of industrialised production, the Heuer 02 offers a long list for features for a relatively modest price.

It’s an automatic chronograph movement that’s the workhorse of the TAG Heuer line-up, featuring a column wheel, vertical clutch and a 75-hour power reserve.

Price and availability 

The Autavia UAE Edition is limited to 150 pieces numbered from “1” to “150”, and priced at AED21,500, which is about US$5770. A handful are available at Dubai Watch Week, while the remainder will be delivered in December and in 2018, available at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons stores.