TAG Heuer Introduces the Monaco Break up Seconds Chronograph

TAG Heuer’s flagship launch at Watches & Wonders 2024 is the Monaco Break up Seconds Chronographthe mannequin’s first-ever mechanical split-seconds chronograph wristwatch. Initially launched as a piece distinctive for the postponed 2023 model of Solely Watch, the Monaco Break up Seconds now enters widespread manufacturing in pink and blue liveries.

Titanium out and in with an built-in movement developed by Vaucher – the movement bridges and plates are titanium – the Monaco Break up Seconds is a premium product with a premium price that locations the mannequin throughout the high-quality watchmaking part, which moreover communicates a mixed message given the mannequin’s cope with moderately priced chronographs.

Preliminary concepts

Whereas sports activities actions timekeeping is core to TAG Heuer’s DNA, the mannequin’s solely wrist-worn break up seconds chronographs thus far have been of the quartz and digital choice. And given the delayed sale of the Solely Watch occasion, the Monaco Break up Seconds will be TAG Heuer’s first mechanical split-seconds chronograph purchased publicly, enhancing the collector attraction.

Among the iconic sq. watches in historic previous – and probably the one recognisable sports activities actions chronograph with a sort case – the Monaco has confirmed adaptable to every retro and futuristic designs by way of the years; the Break up Seconds is in truth the latter.

Whereas I uncover the final styling a bit extreme, significantly the X-shaped braces that sort part of the dial, I can’t help nonetheless admire plenty of the particulars, such as a result of the stepped area sapphire crystal and the way in which through which the design of the break up seconds pusher at 9 o’clock provides seen steadiness. In several phrases, it’s futuristic design achieved successfully.

Thought it is a large watch, it is notably lightweight because of the in depth use of titanium, so it should placed on successfully whatever the generous dimensions. That acknowledged, the size arguably works increased with a sq. case, versus a spherical case of comparable dimensions.

The execution of the design will also be spectacular, with particulars similar to the clear sapphire chapter ring on the doorway and the all-titanium movement reflecting the attention to ingredient throughout the execution. The hand ending on the movement will also be spectacular, it is clearly Vaucher top quality comparatively than the on a regular basis decoration found on TAG Heuer’s moderately priced chronographs.

The reality that the calibre comes courtesy of Vaucher is an environment friendly issue. The movement a high-spec calibre that has a high-frequency escapement, built-in chronograph improvement, and automatic winding – a relatively distinctive combination of choices even throughout the rarefied world of high-end rattrapante chronographs.

With a retail price of CHF135,000, the Monaco Break up Seconds is priced comparably to totally different watches with the equivalent movement, significantly the Parmigiani Tonda PF Break up-Seconds Chronograph.

However, the pricing sends a mixed message to the market. Only some years prior to now, TAG Heuer launched right into a mission to make distinctive issues further moderately priced, most notably with the Carrera 02T Tourbillon Chronograph which continues to be throughout the catalog listed at US$22,500 in its basis format. And its present speciality is sensible variants of the Carrera chronograph with clever, simple issues similar to the Chronosprint. Spectacular as a result of the Monaco Break up Seconds, it’s onerous to see how the Monaco Break up Seconds fits into that method.

A widely known movement

Accessible in pure or black DLC-coated titanium, the Monaco Break up Seconds weighs merely 85 grams no matter substantial dimensions of 47.9 mm lug-to-lug and 15.2 mm in peak.

An excellent part of the burden monetary financial savings come from the movement, which has titanium bridges and plates. Whereas having Carole Forestier-Kasapi on the helm of its technical division means TAG Heuer is ready to making a break up seconds chronograph in-house – in fact it won’t be beautiful to see an in-house calibre ultimately – the mannequin opted to companion with Vaucher for the split-seconds movement.

Consequently, loads of what we see is acquainted. From the 5 Hz beat payment and 65-hour vitality reserve to the recognisable one-piece reset hammer and free-sprung steadiness, it’s clear that numerous the mechanics are tried-and-tested Vaucher designs.

From a reliability and restore standpoint, that’s most likely an excellent issue, as chronographs, significantly break up seconds chronographs are troublesome to get correct. The underside movement choices the entire bells and whistles one expects from a recent sport chronograph, along with a vertical clutch and twin column wheels.

Nonetheless naturally, TAG Heuer put its private spin on the aesthetics of the movement with titanium plates and bridges. The bridges on the once more are accomplished with a hand utilized scraped pattern, a chequerboard motif meant to evoke the mannequin’s racing historic previous. The aesthetics proceed on the doorway with a semi-open labored, stylised important plate seen beneath the sapphire crystal dial.

Key data and price

TAG Heuer Monaco Break up-Seconds Chronograph
Ref. CBW2181.FC8322 (pink)
Ref. CBW2182.FC8339 (blue)

Diameter: 47.9 mm
Peak: 15.2 mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Supplies: Titanium
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: TH81-00
Choices: Hours, minutes, seconds, and split-seconds chronograph
Winding: Computerized
Frequency: 36,000 beats per hour (5 Hz)
Power reserve: 65 hours

Strap: Calfskin strap or titanium bracelet

Restricted model: No
Availability: June 2024
Worth: CHF135,000

For further, go to tagheuer.com.

Once more to excessive.