The Monaco collection of square chronographs is enriched with an avant-garde model that combines titanium, sapphire glass and a new stopwatch caliber with two second hands – the so-called rattrapante.
Among watch manufacturers that specialize in a specific complication, replica watches TAG Heuer is certainly one of those associated with the chronograph. A stopwatch in a wristwatch has always been a sign of a high level of watchmaking, and at TAG – in its rich history – it played an absolutely key role. The iconic Carrera and its countless variants need no introduction, just like the square Monaco. The watch may have been promoted by Steve McQueen in the general public, but for connoisseurs it will always remain one of the first chronographs with an automatic mechanism. Interestingly, TAG Heuer has never shied away from experimenting with the chronograph, presenting several avant-garde models over the years. The latest project straight from La Chaux-de-Fonds joins this group. The result of the brand’s cooperation (under the watchmaking supervision of the legendary Carole Forestier-Kasapi) with the independent Vaucher Fleurier manufactory.
Rattrapante
The highlight of the project is, of course, the automatic mechanism with the Split-Seconds complication – a chronograph that can simultaneously measure two independent time periods. Complication – belonging to the four so-called large – integrated in the automatic caliber TH81-00, whose components are made of titanium. The mechanism has a 65-hour power reserve and a balance clocked at 5 Hz (36,000 A/h). It is also hand-finished in a very original way – and this is also important because its design is an integral part of the aesthetics of the entire watch. Selected bridges of the watch are decorated with a checkerboard pattern, and their edges are manually chamfered and polished. In addition, there is sandblasting adapted to the somewhat technical nature, screw polishing and a skeletonized rotor in the form of a shield, with a hand-painted, colorful stripe and an individual number of each piece.
Details of the new caliber can be admired every day, because when designing Monaco Split-Seconds, TAG Heuer focused on maximum transparency and lightness (only 85 g). The square case (41 x 41 x 15.2 mm) is made of titanium combined with two large panes of sapphire glass. The entire caseback is one huge (on a watch scale, of course) piece of sapphire, screwed to the case without any metal frames or fasteners. There is also a protruding, box-like glass built into the front of the case – which, combined with the lid, maximizes the transparency and lightness of the entire design.
The dial of the watch is a combination of sapphire glass with two square hour counters. 3 and 9, a small second per hour. 6 and metal arms holding the structure. They tie the whole together and also provide visual support for the centrally mounted hands, including the two Split-Seconds complication hands. TAG Heuer offers the watch in two color options: red, referring to the brand’s racing roots, and blue, paying tribute to the original Monaco. In the first edition, the watch case is covered with black DLC, in the second the metal is left uncoated, but finished with brushing, sandblasting and polishing. On the right side of the case there is a crown and stopwatch buttons, and on the left there is a large “Rattrapante” button covered with protective protrusions.
Availability and price
The TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph is paired with a leather strap matching the color of the dial, finished in a textile style and fastened with a titanium buckle. The watch is not limited, but a limited number will certainly be produced. And if you decide on one, you have to take into account the cost of PLN 544,000. The watches will appear in showrooms in June.
