TAG Heuer has expanded its high-horology offerings significantly with the introduction of the Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph, a timepiece that integrates a highly complex rattrapante mechanism into the brand’s most recognizable case silhouette. This release marks a distinct shift in the manufacturer's approach to its Avant-Garde Horlogerie collection, moving beyond standard chronograph functions to embrace one of the most mechanically demanding complications in watchmaking. The integration of the split-seconds function, which allows for the timing of two concurrent events, represents a major technical achievement for the brand as it enters its 166th year. By utilizing the recently redesigned glassbox architecture, the watch maintains a connection to the historical codes established by Jack Heuer in 1963 while accommodating a thoroughly modern, high-frequency movement developed in collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier.
The visual profile of the watch is dominated by the complex interplay of light and mechanical layering, made possible by the extensive use of sapphire crystal on both the front and rear of the case. The dial itself is not a solid surface but a translucent sapphire plane that offers an unobstructed view of the movement bridges and levers operating beneath. This transparency is key to the aesthetic, creating a sense of depth that draws the eye inward toward the mechanics. The subdials at three and nine o'clock are formed from anthracite translucent sapphire, providing just enough contrast for legibility without blocking the view of the gear train. Distinct red lacquered accents on the hands and markers cut through the monochromatic greys of the titanium and anthracite components, serving the practical purpose of differentiating the chronograph readouts from the time-telling functions.
Courtesy of TAG Heuer
Constructed from Grade 5 titanium, the 42mm case balances the physical presence required of a complicated sports watch with the lightweight properties necessary for comfort. The choice of titanium is functional, ensuring that the additional components required for the split-seconds mechanism do not result in an overly heavy wrist experience. The case finishing alternates between fine-brushed and polished surfaces, highlighting the architectural lines of the lugs, which retain the angular, inward-facing facets that have defined the Carrera line for over six decades. A dedicated pusher located at the nine o'clock position on the case band immediately identifies this model as a split-seconds chronograph, distinguishing it from standard layouts. This pusher, distinct in its placement, triggers the rattrapante function, allowing the wearer to split the seconds hand to measure intermediate intervals while the main chronograph continues to run.
The heart of this machine is the Calibre TH81-01, a movement that commands attention due to its intricate construction and high-frequency operation. Oscillating at 5Hz, or 36,000 vibrations per hour, the movement is capable of measuring elapsed time with 1/10th of a second precision, a feat that aligns with the brand’s historical focus on high-precision timing instruments. The movement offers a power reserve of 65 hours when the chronograph is inactive, which decreases to approximately 55 hours when the chronograph is engaged, providing ample autonomy for daily wear. The architecture of the movement is displayed prominently through the open-worked dial, revealing hand-finished components that include sandblasted surfaces and polished bevels. The bridges feature a checkered flag pattern, a direct nod to the brand's racing heritage, yet executed with a subtlety that requires close inspection to fully appreciate.
Functionally, the split-seconds complication is one of the most interactive features a mechanical watch can possess. When the chronograph is activated, two central seconds hands—one white and one red—travel together, appearing as a single unit. Upon pressing the pusher at nine o'clock, the red hand stops to mark an intermediate time, while the white hand continues its sweep uninterrupted. A second press of the pusher causes the red hand to instantly catch up to the white hand, synchronizing them once again. This mechanical dance is controlled by a clamp system visible through the caseback, where the intricate system of levers and springs manages the engagement and disengagement of the split-seconds wheel. The tactile feedback of the pushers has been engineered to provide a crisp, definitive click, ensuring the user is confident in the start, stop, and reset operations.
Courtesy of TAG Heuer
The glassbox crystal design plays a significant role in the visual experience of the watch, as the domed sapphire extends to the very edge of the case, eliminating the traditional bezel. This construction allows the tachymeter scale to be printed directly on the flange under the crystal, enhancing readability and minimizing the visual bulk of the watch. The curvature of the crystal distorts the dial elements slightly at extreme angles, adding a vintage character that softens the otherwise aggressive, technical look of the skeletonized display. The absence of a bezel also maximizes the visible dial area, making the 42mm diameter feel expansive and open. This design choice mirrors the updates seen across the core Carrera line in 2023 but is adapted here to frame the specific layout of the split-seconds calibre.
Legibility in low-light conditions is addressed through the application of Super-LumiNova on the rhodium-plated hour and minute hands, as well as the applied hour indices. The luminescent material is applied in thin strips, maintaining the skeletonized aesthetic of the hands while ensuring functional visibility. The red lacquered central hand and the corresponding red tips on the sub-dial hands are designed for rapid recognition during daylight timing operations. The dial layout is symmetrical, with the chronograph minutes at three o'clock and the chronograph hours at nine o'clock, while a permanent seconds indicator resides at six o'clock. This tri-compax arrangement is classic, yet the execution in sapphire and open-worked metal places it firmly in the contemporary category.
The caseback view is equally compelling, featuring a sapphire crystal that spans the entire rear of the watch. The oscillating weight is shaped like the TAG Heuer shield and finished with fine brushing and a miniature gradient painting on its periphery. This rotor winds the mainspring efficiently while allowing for a largely unobstructed view of the movement layers below. The "floating" effect mentioned in the design brief is achieved by mounting the movement within the case in a way that minimizes visible mounting points, creating a sense of airiness around the calibre. This perspective highlights the three-dimensional nature of the movement construction, where gears and bridges are stacked to maximize spatial efficiency within the case thickness of 15.17mm.
A distinct feature of the movement is the level of hand-finishing applied to the Grade 5 titanium components. Unlike mass-produced movements where finishing is often automated, the Calibre TH81-01 involves manual techniques such as black polishing on the screws and hand-chamfering on the bridges. This attention to detail is usually reserved for the upper echelons of watchmaking and signifies the brand's intent to compete in the high-horology segment. The titanium plates are treated to contrasting finishes that catch the light differently, emphasizing the complexity of the 350 individual components that make up the mechanism. The visual complexity is high, rewarding the owner with new details to discover over time, such as the specific graining on a lever or the polished sink of a screw.
Courtesy of TAG Heuer
The watch is secured to the wrist by a black rubber strap that features a textile pattern embossing. This choice of material underscores the sporty character of the piece, providing resistance to moisture and wear that leather cannot match. The strap is finished with red stitching that complements the red accents on the dial, creating a cohesive color scheme. A Grade 5 titanium folding clasp with double safety push-buttons ensures the watch remains securely fastened. The clasp itself is finished with the same fine-brushed and polished techniques as the case, featuring the brand's shield logo engraved on the buckle. The integration of the strap into the lugs is seamless, with the rubber conforming to the case shape to reduce the gap between the strap and the watch head.
Historically, the Carrera collection has always been linked to the Carrera Panamericana road race, a dangerous and grueling event that inspired Jack Heuer to create a highly legible chronograph for drivers. While the original 1963 models were exercises in restraint and minimalism, this new Split-Seconds reference represents the evolution of that racing spirit into the realm of modern material science and complex mechanics. It acknowledges the past through its case geometry and lugs but looks forward through its open architecture and titanium construction. The "Swiss Made" designation on the dial is a reminder of the geographical origins of the engineering, specifically the collaboration with manufacturers in the Jura region.
The crown, also crafted from Grade 5 titanium, is positioned at three o'clock and features a fine-brushed finish with a polished end. It is flanked by two chronograph pushers at two and four o'clock, which follow the angular design language of the case. These pushers are shaped to offer a large surface area for easy actuation, even when wearing driving gloves. The tactile response of the buttons is tuned to be consistent, with a distinct mechanical resistance that gives way to a smooth engagement. The split-seconds pusher at nine o'clock is integrated into the case band more subtly, designed to avoid accidental actuation while remaining accessible when needed.
Water resistance is rated at 30 meters, a specification that reflects the complex nature of the case construction and the lack of a screw-down crown. While this rating is sufficient for protection against splashes and rain, it categorizes the watch clearly as a specialized instrument rather than a general-purpose aquatic timepiece. The focus here is on speed and timing on land, consistent with the Carrera’s identity. The use of double sapphire crystals and the intricate gasket systems required for the pushers dictate this limitation, which is common among high-complication rattrapante watches where the preservation of the movement view and pusher functionality takes precedence over deep-water capability.
Courtesy of TAG Heuer
The partnership with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier for the movement development is a critical aspect of this watch's technical credibility. Vaucher is renowned for producing high-end movements for some of the most prestigious names in the industry. By leveraging their expertise, the brand ensures that the TH81-01 is not only visually stunning but also mechanically robust. The movement's architecture allows for the split-seconds mechanism to be displayed on the dial side in some configurations or visible through the back, with this specific iteration choosing to showcase the depth of the gear train from the front. The collaboration results in a caliber that feels distinct from the brand's standard Heuer 02 movements, offering a higher level of decoration and complexity.
On the wrist, the 48.6mm lug-to-lug distance ensures that the watch remains wearable for a variety of wrist sizes, despite the 42mm diameter. The curvature of the lugs helps the case hug the wrist, and the lightness of the titanium prevents top-heaviness. The strap's textile pattern adds a tactile element that feels technical and modern, avoiding the traditional look of alligator or calfskin. The deployment clasp is easy to operate and allows for quick adjustments, ensuring a secure fit during active use. The overall weight distribution is engineered to keep the watch centered, preventing it from sliding around during rapid arm movements.
The anthracite translucent flange that surrounds the dial carries the seconds track, printed in white for high contrast. This ring floats above the movement, adding another layer to the vertical construction of the display. The indices are applied directly to this flange or the dial surface, depending on the specific anchor points, and are rhodium-plated and polished to catch available light. The interplay between the matte finish of the movement bridges and the polished indices creates a dynamic visual effect that changes as the wrist rotates. The red markings on the flange correspond to the chronograph seconds, allowing for precise reading of elapsed time against the central seconds hand.
Courtesy of TAG Heuer
Every element of the TAG Heuer Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph, from the skeletonized hands to the titanium case screws, is designed to serve the dual purpose of function and visual impact. The skeletonization is not merely aesthetic; it reduces the weight of the moving parts, particularly the hands, which helps in energy management for the high-frequency movement. The balance wheel, visible through the caseback, oscillates rapidly, a visual testament to the 5Hz frequency. The bridge layout is open enough to allow light to pass through the watch entirely in certain areas, reinforcing the theme of transparency. This is a machine that hides nothing, inviting the owner to understand exactly how the energy from the mainspring is translated into the measurement of time.
The pricing for the TAG Heuer Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph reflects its position at the apex of the brand’s catalog. With an estimated suggested retail price of 110,000 CHF, this timepiece targets serious collectors who appreciate the rarity and difficulty of the split-seconds complication. Availability is scheduled to begin in June 2026, marking a mid-year release that will likely be highly anticipated by enthusiasts of the brand. The watch is presented in dedicated high-end packaging and is individually numbered, underscoring its exclusivity. As a production piece rather than a limited edition, it represents a permanent, albeit exclusive, fixture in the upper tier of the Carrera collection, available to those who seek the pinnacle of the brand's mechanical capabilities.
Case: 42mm diameter, 15.17mm thickness, 48.6mm lug-to-lug, 22mm lug width. Grade 5 titanium fine brushed and polished construction. Beveled, domed sapphire glassbox crystal with sapphire caseback. Water resistant to 30 meters.
Movement: Calibre TH81-01 automatic split-seconds chronograph. Frequency of 36,000 vph (5Hz). Power reserve of 65 hours (chrono off) or 55 hours (chrono on). Titanium components with checkered flag pattern finishing.
Dial: Translucent sapphire glass dial with anthracite translucent acrylic glass flange. Anthracite translucent sapphire counters with red lacquered accents. Rhodium-plated applied indexes and hands with white Super-LumiNova.
Strap: Black rubber with textile embossing and red stitching. Fine brushed and polished grade 5 titanium folding clasp with double safety push-buttons.
Price: 110,000 CHF
Reference Number: CDD2180.FT8120
Notes: Features a collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. The movement creates a "floating" illusion between the glassbox front and back. Individually numbered pieces available starting June 2026.