TAG Heuer, unlike most watchmakers, focuses on chronographs from the beginning. This is why the new Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph is so special. It is technically the first-ever split seconds or rattrapante chronograph wristwatch from the brand – well, the first mechanical kind anyway. Many people might think the Only Watch Edition for 2023 is the first watch of this kind from TAG Heuer, but it’s a model in series production and Only Watch wasn’t released until May this year.
Why did TAG Heuer take so long to create a split-seconds chronograph? After all, it made all kinds of iconic and uniquely distinctive chronographs and even lent their expertise to LVMH’s sister brand Zenith. As noted elsewhere, this automatic calibre, TH81-01, is the same Vaucher movement that was used in the earlier-announced Only Watch. Vaucher is a part of the same company that makes Parmigiani Fleurier and owns it. It has a long history of collaborations, and TAG Heuer, too, has recently been showing off its partnership muscle (see Kenisi from last year).
Carole Forestier Kasapi, TAG Heuer’s movement director, said this about the new Monaco Split Seconds chronograph: “Every component of the watch reflects our passion for horological artistry.” On that note, the new TH81-00 calibre is crafted in titanium, in large part; this probably means plates and bridges but perhaps also chronograph levers and cams. The dial is also made from titanium with sapphire as well. There is a good reason behind the complexity, and it’s not just because of the Only Watch connection. Let’s first explain the functions.
The split seconds function allows you to time several events at the same time, but they can end in different times, such as lap times between racing cars. This is done with an additional set of chronographs and a third button, for which the Monaco shape is ideal. As the movement is essentially round, we can have automatic winding. For now, here are some key specifications. The 41mm titanium case comes in two colours, red and blue. Power reserve is 65 Hours (with the Chronograph off) and 55 Hours (with the Chronograph on). Although this may seem standard, the calibre TH81 00 also has a high-beat rate of 5 Hz. The water-resistance of the TH81-00 is only 30m.
If you really want to make your brain hurt, just forget the water resistance. All of it is about the complexity that I described. Monaco Split Seconds Chronographs start at CHF135,000. Custom options can take it up to CHF165,000. Now, this provokes some questions – we have them and we are sure you have them too. TAG Heuer was famous for offering the most affordable Swiss Made Tourbillon Chronograph for a short time. We will do our best in order to get more information from the new CEO Julien Tornare.
Click here to read more about the latest luxury watch publications.