TAG Heuer unveils the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph

Famed chronograph pioneer TAG Heuer unveils one of its most audacious watches yet, the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph – a fusion of heritage and innovation. Discover the rest of our Watches & Wonders 2024 coverage.

PIONEERING CHRONOGRAPHS

From the early 1900s, TAG Heuer has dedicated itself to mastering the chronograph, which is evident in historic stopwatches and dashboard timers. The Mikrograph introduced in 1916 marked a pivotal moment in TAG Heuer’s history, becoming the preferred timekeeping device at the Olympic Games in the 1920s and 1930s by recording 1/100th of a second. This innovative spirit continued with the Microsplit, a chronograph accurate to 1/100th of a second but with the addition of the split-second function.

In the 1960s, Heuer stopwatches became a staple in motorsport paddocks, like the memorable reference 11.402 that featured a split-second chronograph capable of measuring time with 1/10th of a second accuracy. This model became iconic when Jean Campiche, a Heuer timekeeper working with Scuderia Ferrari, used it. 1989 TAG Heuer introduced a quartz split-second chronograph wristwatch, gaining immense popularity, especially among racing legends like Ayrton Senna, Gerhard Berger and Michael Schumacher throughout the 1990s. And now, in 2024, TAG Heuer unveils the latest addition to this prestigious lineage, a symbol of precise timekeeping: the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph.

REDEFINING THE MONACO

Celebrating 55 years of the Monaco collection, the TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph riffs on the iconic architecture of the original while introducing new materials and innovations. The watch weighs 85 grams, thanks to its light yet strong grade-5 titanium case. Available in two variations, blue and red, both feature case backs made entirely of sapphire crystal – offering unobstructed views of the movement.

The red Monaco’s dial arches are executed with fine brushing and black DLC coating, a nod to the finishing of the watch’s lightweight titanium case. The titanium-cased blue variant showcases gradient blue dial arches, transitioning from a light blue hue at the top to a richer royal blue at the bottom, giving the watch a sense of animation and movement even whilst static. This intricate colour gradient is achieved through a delicate anodizing process. This precise technique necessitates the application of varying voltages at different stages of the treatment — a sophisticated method perfected for each timepiece. A hand-stitched calfskin strap with a fabric pattern accompanies both variations.

TH81-00 RATTRAPANTE CALIBRE

The TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph runs off the newly launched TH81-00 mechanical split-seconds chronograph calibre, enabling the measurement of two separate time intervals concurrently. Made of titanium, it is one of the lightest automatic chronograph movements created by TAG Heuer in partnership with the esteemed manufacturer Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. “Every component of the watch reflects our passion for horological artistry,” said Carole Forestier-Kasapi, famed mechanical designer and TAG Heuer’s movements director.

Each individually numbered oscillating weight is fashioned in the iconic TAG Heuer shield shape. It features a brushed finish and a hand-painted red or blue gradient, a TAG Heuer design signature reserved for its most exclusive timepieces. The checkerboard pattern, a TAG Heuer signature on the centre bridge, and the fine brushed balance wheel bridge with its polished bevels are all hand-made.