TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds TH-Titanium

Borna Bošnjak

• TAG Heuer’s top-of-the-line Monaco Cut up-Seconds will get a brand new TH-Titanium case, a titanium materials newly developed by the model.
• Its different hallmarks match prior releases, with a big prime sapphire bezel and crystal combo, and the Vaucher co-developed split-seconds calibre.
• The watch is being revealed simply earlier than this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, and might be priced at CHF 145,000.

Similar to Monaco has lengthy been the crown jewel within the F1 calendar, the Monaco Cut up-Seconds fills that function in TAG Heuer’s catalogue. So, what higher time for TAG Heuer to carry the covers off three new, particular Monacos than simply forward of this 12 months’s Monaco Grand Prix? In contrast to the Gulf and Stopwatch, the brand new Monaco Cut up-Seconds is greater than only a new colourway, because it ushers in a model new materials that’s been developed in-house by TAG Heuer – TH-Titanium.

As you would possibly anticipate, TAG Heuer is maintaining fairly tight-lipped about this course of – TAG Heuer’s press launch solely notes a “proprietary thermal course of” remodeling the alloy at an atomic stage. I’d be eager to search out out whether or not the model developed a brand new forging methodology, given how well-known titanium forging is for its problem and the necessity for specialised tools, given its tendency to react with oxygen. Actually, there’s no data on the precise grade of titanium used both. Going off of TAG Heuer stating it’s “usually reserved for aerospace parts, turbine parts, and high-performance automotive components” doesn’t reveal a lot, however I’d be stunned to see something aside from grade 5 or grade 23.

Relating to the size, the sq. TH-Titanium case is 41mm huge and 15.2mm thick, with a 47.9mm lug-to-lug. That latter dimension might seem to be a compact one, however don’t be fooled – the Monaco Cut up-Seconds is a giant watch, and it wears prefer it too. It nonetheless makes use of the sapphire sandwich building, with full-cover items of crystal on both facet of the case, giving it a formidable dimension particularly from the entrance the place the sapphire bezel+crystal combo is faceted.

The open dial is expectedly busy, with a sapphire piece used as a mounting floor for the sub-dials, whereas nonetheless permitting a view into the entrance of the motion. Fortunately, the lime inexperienced accents do assist with legibility a ton, used for the hour markers and chronograph palms. The primary handset is semi-skeletonised and in black gold, with a easy fencepost form.

Whereas you will have seen a glimpse of the motion dial-side, you actually need to take the watch off and have a look at the TH81-00 by way of that wide-spanning crystal. Impressively, the motion can be crafted from titanium (grade 5 on this occasion), with TAG Heuer noting hand-finishing of the checkered sample and bevels. The checkerboard sample is a enjoyable method of adorning a motion with out resorting to “conventional” types, however fact be instructed, the bevelling will get a bit misplaced within the muted, monochromatic titanium surfaces, so you really want to search for them intently.

So far as tech specs and issues go, you’d have undoubtedly discovered by now that this can be a rattrapante chronograph, co-developed with Vaucher. Understanding who TAG Heuer’s collaborators have been, it is smart for the TH81-00 to even be a 5Hz motion, as high-beat chronographs (rattrapante and in any other case) have been Vaucher’s specialty, discovering their method into quite a few Parmigiani Fleurier fashions. With the chrono working, you may anticipate round 55 hours of energy reserve, or get an additional 10 hours with the chronograph off.

TAG Heuer Monaco Cut up-Seconds Chronograph TH-Titanium pricing and availability

The TAG Heuer Monaco Cut up-Seconds in TH-Titanium is now accessible. Worth: CHF 145,000