The Replica TAG Heuer innovations presented at Watches and Wonders confirm the brand’s growth aspirations and the relevance of the chronograph complication within the offering.
The latest edition of the Carrera presented last year (on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary) received excellent feedback from enthusiasts and the specialized press and it is on this basis that Tag Heuer has built the novelties of this edition of the show.
At the same time, the splendid unique split-seconds chronograph dedicated to the Only Watch charity auction has an heir in the collection, as many of us hoped. The split-seconds monk permanently enters production, retaining all or almost all of the “one-off” example.
Monaco Split-seconds chronograph
Let’s start with the flagship model, the Split-second chronograph, with which Tag Heuer promises to “rekindle avant-garde fine watchmaking” as announced in a claim on the official website.
The watch incorporates everything we love about the unique example, except the “texturized” titanium case (forgive us, but it is difficult to find the Italian translation of “texturized titanium”, ed.), here replaced by a Grade 5 titanium alloy The watch offered for the charity auction also represented a definitive production model.
The brand’s chronograph tradition needs no introduction, considering TAG Heuer’s immense pedigree in sports timekeeping which has a dedicated division and has given us several examples of excellence in this field.
To cite an example of the combination of mechanical and digital technology, we cannot fail to mention watches such as the Monaco Sixty-Nine, whose article is widely read and full of comments, in which the mechanical module is associated with the digital Micro-timer module.
Case and dial
The watch has a declared weight of 85 grams, confirming the objective of creating a complicated watch with high-end watchmaking characteristics, skewed towards lightweight materials and pure innovation.
TAG Heuer has explored pure innovation on several occasions, we remember the Monaco 24 collection, but this execution moves the bar decidedly high and introduces a new stylistic language that is very pleasant and absolutely faithful to the spirit of the current TAG Heuer Monaco as well as the original model from 1969.
The dimensions indicate a 41 mm case, intrinsically Monaco from every angle, which respects the sensations of the original 1969 model. The watch is 15.2 mm thick overall but the ultra-light construction mitigates its dimensions. The two vintage-style counters, silver or black depending on the versions presented, are also a clear reference to the origins. It should be remembered that Monaco is turning 55.
The case is full of edges, polished and brushed surfaces, and identifies a Monaco version 2.0 which, we hope, will soon give life to a new Monaco collection, parallel to the current collection.
Excluding the two counters, the watch celebrates performance and motorsport, using skeletonization to enhance its dual chronograph features. The dial is made of sapphire glass, houses the flange and is coupled with the counters. It offers a direct view of the movement, from which it is separated via a pair of titanium arches. The case back is also made of sapphire glass.
The double X-shaped bridge
Their color varies depending on the version. The bridges are titanium in two shades of blue, each, on the titanium alloy model and vaguely resemble the palette of the Gulf model. Instead, black DLC is treated on the Racing Red version, like the case.
In our opinion, the X-shaped bars arranged on the engines of rear-engined cars are the source of inspiration and, as can be seen from the photo below, in the case of the watch they envelop the two chrono counters: RATTRAPANTE on the left, CHRONOGRAPH on the right. The two counters are therefore recessed while the flange is placed on a raised surface.
It is an aesthetic and functional arrangement: it increases the depth by inviting you to take a journey from the outside to the inside of the clock and helps to identify the different information available, arranging it on multiple levels.
The Swiss brand could not rely on a better partner for the design of a caliber built to TAG Heuer specifications, whose time base is high frequency (5 Hertz). The autonomy is equal to 65 hours in continuous and exclusive use alone, which becomes 55 if the chronograph is used. The second data declared is indicative, as there is no usage profile for the chronograph.