TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph TH-Titanium

TAG Heuer has once again asserted its position at the forefront of watchmaking innovation with the introduction of the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph, now presented in a revolutionary form of texturized titanium known as TH-Titanium. This latest iteration, bearing the reference CBW2185.FC8350, is a compelling demonstration of the brand's commitment to pushing material science boundaries while honoring its deep-rooted connection to motorsport and precision timing.



The journey of TAG Heuer, founded in 1860 by Edouard Heuer in the Swiss Jura Mountains, has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of precision and a pioneering spirit. This ethos led to numerous breakthroughs, including the oscillating Pinion in 1887 and the Mikrograph in 1916, capable of measuring 1/100th of a second. Such innovations cemented TAG Heuer's reputation in the world of high-stakes timekeeping, particularly in competitive racing, where accuracy is paramount. The brand's historical narrative is intrinsically linked with the adrenaline and technical demands of motorsport, a legacy that continues to inform its contemporary creations.



Since its debut in 1969, the TAG Heuer Monaco has stood as a bold deviation from conventional watch design. Its audacious square case, a feature that immediately set it apart, was complemented by a left-hand crown and, typically, a striking blue dial. It wasn't just its appearance that broke new ground; the Monaco was the first water-resistant square automatic chronograph wristwatch. This combination of distinctive aesthetics and technical prowess quickly garnered a following among forward-thinking individuals and creative personalities like Sammy Davis Jr., Stanley Kubrick, and notably, Steve McQueen, whose association with the watch in the film "Le Mans" catapulted it to legendary status.



TAG Heuer's expertise in split-seconds chronographs, or "rattrapantes," stretches back over a century, a testament to the Maison's dedication to mastering complex horological mechanisms. This intricate function, which allows for the timing of two separate events concurrently, has been a hallmark of TAG Heuer's high-precision instruments. From early 20th-century stopwatches used in the Olympic Games to dashboard timers essential for motorsport, the split-seconds capability has been a recurring theme in the brand's pursuit of ultimate timing accuracy.



A cornerstone in this lineage is the Mikrosplit stopwatch from 1916. This device, capable of recording separate time intervals down to an astonishing 1/100th of a second, was a landmark achievement that solidified TAG Heuer's foundational role in high-performance timekeeping. It was instruments like these that established the brand as an indispensable partner in events where every fraction of a second counted, laying the groundwork for future advancements in chronograph technology.



During the 1960s, Heuer stopwatches became ubiquitous in motorsport paddocks. One memorable example is the reference 11.402, a split-seconds chronograph capable of measuring time with 1/10th of a second accuracy. This particular model gained fame through its use by Jean Campiche, a Heuer timekeeper working closely with Scuderia Ferrari, further intertwining the brand with the fabric of racing history. Later, in 1989, TAG Heuer adapted this expertise into a quartz split-seconds chronograph wristwatch, which found immense favor among racing luminaries such as Ayrton Senna, Gerhard Berger, and Michael Schumacher, demonstrating the enduring appeal and utility of the complication for those who live by the clock.



Building on this rich heritage, TAG Heuer reintroduced the sophisticated split-seconds complication to the Monaco collection in 2024. This move saw the launch of two distinct interpretations, one in original blue and another in racing red, which served as contemporary precursors to the 2025 model. These pieces revived the intricate mechanism within the iconic square case, setting a new benchmark for the collection and paving the way for the latest evolution focused on radical material innovation.



The most striking feature of the 2025 TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph is undoubtedly its case, crafted from a newly developed material called TH-Titanium. This texturized titanium is the result of an entirely in-house process, a project spearheaded by the TAG Heuer Lab, the Maison’s dedicated research and development institute in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Over four years, a team of specialized scientists and experts worked to create this unique expression of titanium, pushing the known limits of the metal's aesthetic possibilities.



The creation of TH-Titanium involves a proprietary thermal process that transforms the metal at an atomic level. This meticulous treatment reorganizes the alloy’s atomic structure, coaxing out its hidden crystalline character. The result is a surface that displays a natural, irregular pattern, one that seems to shimmer and change with the light. This means that the pattern on each watch case is entirely unique, not shaped by deliberate engraving or machining, but by the intrinsic structure of the metal itself, making every timepiece a distinct individual creation.



The specific titanium alloy selected for TH-Titanium is known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, robust corrosion resistance, and its ability to retain energy. These properties make it a favored material in demanding fields such as aerospace, where it's used for critical components, turbine elements, and high-performance automotive parts. The TAG Heuer Lab’s innovative thermal treatments refine and preserve this inherent character, securing both its unique visual identity and its lasting performance, resulting in a watch that feels elemental and almost alive.



Visually, the 41mm TH-Titanium case of the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph is a marvel. Its sandblasted surface possesses a complex, faceted texture that is both rugged and refined. The square silhouette, a hallmark of the Monaco, gains a new dimension with this material, as light plays across the subtly varied planes, highlighting the unique crystalline patterns. The fixed bezel, crafted from polished sapphire, adds a contrasting sleekness, while the beveled, domed sapphire crystal protects the intricate dial beneath. The grade-5 titanium crown at 3 o’clock features a lime-lacquered TAG Heuer shield, and the shaped chronograph push-buttons at 2 and 4 o’clock, also in grade-5 titanium, are finely brushed and polished. Complementing these are the TH-Titanium shaped split-seconds push-button protector at 8 o'clock and the grade-5 titanium push-button with a lime-lacquered tube at 9 o'clock, ensuring functional clarity and a cohesive aesthetic.



The decision to use sapphire extends beyond the bezel and front crystal. The dial itself is fashioned from sapphire, offering a transparent window into the mechanical heart of the watch. This transparency deliberately exposes the interplay between form and function, allowing an appreciation of the movement's architectural depth. The black opaline chronograph counters – a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock – provide a stark, legible contrast against the otherwise clear backdrop. Bright lime green accents, a nod to racing dashboards where such colors signify speed and performance, are applied to the tips of the counter hands and the central rattrapante hand, ensuring excellent legibility even in dynamic situations. White Super-LumiNova applied indexes further enhance readability in low-light conditions.



At the core of this horological machine is the Calibre TH81-00, an automatic split-seconds chronograph movement developed in partnership with the esteemed Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. Remarkably, the movement itself is also crafted extensively from titanium, contributing significantly to its low weight of only 30 grams. This, in turn, helps keep the total weight of the watch, including the strap and buckle, to an impressively light 85 grams. The movement operates at a frequency of 5 Hertz (36,000 vibrations per hour), offering high precision, and boasts a power reserve of 65 hours when the chronograph is not engaged, or 55 hours when it is actively running.



The split-seconds function, often referred to by its French term "rattrapante," is one of the most sophisticated and intricate complications in watchmaking. It requires the skilled hands of master watchmakers to assemble and regulate due to its complexity, involving an additional seconds hand that can be stopped independently of the main chronograph seconds hand to record an intermediate time, and then instantly "catch up" (rattraper) to the main hand. This allows for the precise timing of two separate events that start simultaneously but end at different times, or for timing laps on a racetrack with unparalleled accuracy and versatility.



The meticulous attention to detail extends to the finishing of the Calibre TH81-00. The bridges, crafted from black DLC coated grade-5 titanium, feature fine brushing and polished bevels, creating a dramatic interplay of shadow and shine. A signature TAG Heuer decorative motif, the hand-engraved checkered flag pattern, adorns parts of the movement, reinforcing the watch’s racing lineage and adding a layer of visual complexity to its inner mechanics. These hand-finished elements underscore the Maison’s dedication to high-end watchmaking, blending technical precision with expert craftsmanship.



Further enhancing the view into the movement, the caseback is crafted entirely from polished sapphire crystal. This offers an unobstructed panorama of the Calibre TH81-00. The oscillating weight, ingeniously shaped in the iconic TAG Heuer shield, appears to almost float within the movement architecture, contributing to the overall sense of depth and lightness. This component is perfectly symmetrical and features fine brushing that highlights its contours, along with hand-painted racing-inspired stripes that bring a distinct graphic identity, reminiscent of racing liveries. Each timepiece is individually numbered on this oscillating weight, adding to its exclusivity.



The exceptional lightness of the TH-Titanium case and the titanium movement translates directly into wearing comfort. Despite its substantial 41mm square presence and a thickness of 15.2mm, the watch feels remarkably agile on the wrist. The lug-to-lug distance of 47.9mm ensures a balanced fit for various wrist sizes. This focus on lightness without compromising robustness is a key characteristic of this advanced timepiece.



Completing the ensemble is a hand-stitched black calfskin strap, which features a textile embossing that adds a modern, sporty texture. Subtle black and lime hand stitching echoes the dial accents, tying the design together. This strap is secured with a sophisticated grade-5 titanium butterfly folding clasp equipped with safety push-buttons and a fine adjustment system, paired with a TH-Titanium pin buckle, ensuring both security and a refined finish.



The watch maintains a water resistance of 30 meters, suitable for everyday wear and protecting it against incidental splashes, though it is not intended for prolonged underwater activities. The combination of its robust materials, precise movement, and thoughtful ergonomics makes it a practical instrument despite its high-tech and luxurious nature. The fine-brushed, polished grade-5 titanium push-buttons for the chronograph and split-seconds functions are designed for tactile and responsive operation.



The development of TH-Titanium by the TAG Heuer Lab signifies more than just a new material; it represents the brand's ongoing commitment to internal research and development. This facility, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by experts across various scientific disciplines, is driven by a culture of innovation. The Lab consistently challenges the conventional boundaries of watchmaking, exploring new materials, processes, and mechanical solutions to enhance both performance and aesthetics.



The racing DNA of TAG Heuer is palpably present in every aspect of the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph. From the lime green accents reminiscent of dashboard instruments to the checkered flag motif on the movement bridges, and the very name "Monaco," inextricably linked with one of the world's most famous racing circuits. The split-seconds function itself is a direct descendant of the high-precision timers used to clock races, making this watch a contemporary embodiment of that enduring legacy.



This timepiece masterfully marries avant-garde material science with the time-honored traditions of Swiss watchmaking. The creation of TH-Titanium is a cutting-edge endeavor, yet the intricate assembly and meticulous hand-finishing of the Calibre TH81-00 movement speak to a deep respect for artisanal craftsmanship. This blend is a hallmark of TAG Heuer's approach, where innovation serves to elevate, not replace, the human touch.



A particularly compelling aspect of the TH-Titanium Monaco is the inherent uniqueness of each piece. Because the texturized pattern on the case is a result of the metal's natural atomic restructuring during the proprietary thermal process, no two watches will ever be identical. This imbues each example with a distinct personality, an individual fingerprint forged by science and the elemental nature of titanium itself.



The TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph in TH-Titanium stands as a powerful statement of the brand's capabilities and its forward-looking vision. It reflects TAG Heuer's "avant-garde DNA" and its philosophy of being "Designed to Win," by refusing to see materials as static entities, but rather as dynamic, reactive, and expressive mediums. This watch is a clear expression of what occurs when unbridled vision and relentless innovation are allowed to take the lead.



For those looking to acquire this piece of advanced horology, the TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph, reference CBW2185.FC8350, is slated for availability in May 2025. The suggested retail price is 145,000 Swiss Francs (CHF). This positions the watch in the upper echelons of TAG Heuer's offerings, reflecting the complexity of its movement, the innovative nature of its materials, and the skilled craftsmanship involved in its creation.



Case: 41mm TH-TITANIUM sandblasted case; polished sapphire fixed bezel; beveled, domed sapphire crystal; Grade-5 titanium crown and chronograph push-buttons; TH-Titanium split-seconds push-button protector; polished full sapphire caseback; water resistance 30m; thickness 15.2mm; lug-to-lug 47.9mm.

Movement: Calibre TH81-00 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph; titanium construction; frequency 5Hz (36,000 VPH); power reserve 65 hours (chrono off) / 55 hours (chrono on); functions: hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, split-seconds.

Dial: Sapphire dial with white and lime markings; white Super-LumiNova® applied indexes; fine-brushed, polished black DLC coated grade-5 titanium bridges; three counters (black opaline minute and hour chronograph counters with lime hands, rhodium-plated permanent second indicator); black gold open-worked hour/minute hands with Super-LumiNova®, white lacquered central chronograph hand, lime lacquered central split-seconds hand.

Strap: Black calfskin strap with textile embossing and black & lime hand stitching; Grade-5 titanium butterfly folding clasp with safety push-buttons and fine adjustment; TH-Titanium pin buckle.

Price: 145,000 CHF

Reference Number: CBW2185.FC8350

Notes: Features unique texturized TH-Titanium case developed in-house by TAG Heuer Lab. Ultra-lightweight at 85 grams total. Calibre TH81-00 co-developed with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, extensively using titanium. Hand-finished movement details include checkered-flag pattern and racing-inspired stripes on oscillating weight.