Initially launched as a unique piece in a crystallized titanium case for Only Watch 2023, the TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph was then added to the catalog, most recently as a limited edition in ceramic. Now the model returns in its original crystallized titanium livery, accented in lime green.

Under the hood is a high-beat Vaucher chronograph movement, also used by Parmigiani Fleurier and Richard Mille. The split-seconds is the flagship of the Monaco collection, impressive inside and out – with a price to match – but seemingly runs counter to the brand’s established direction of affordable sports watches.

Initial Thoughts

The latest iteration of the Monaco split-seconds is the best yet, price aside. The variants of the model released between the one-off for Only Watch and this felt incomplete without the crystallized titanium case.

The material is visually and technically interesting, and its resemblance to forged carbon fits the automotive theme; lime green accents notwithstanding, it’s a good-looking watch.

Image – TAG Heuer

A rattrapante is a natural fit for an auto racing-focused brand like TAG Heuer, but the ambitious CHF145,000 price is confusing, given TAG Heuer’s efforts toward making the Swiss-made tourbillon affordable. The Monaco split-seconds itself is excellent – the movement especially so – but an affordable rattrapante would be more in line with the brand’s recent direction.

While the base movement is shared with costlier Richard Mille models, the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph Rattrapante, using the same base, is priced at CHF10,000 less, despite the gold case and hand-finished gold movement.

The unique version made for Only Watch 2023.

Avant-Garde Design

The watch lacks a traditional dial; instead, a sapphire chapter ring encircles the free-standing hour and minute registers, which are attached to the movement by a pair of soaring black bridges.

Image – TAG Heuer

The case is an angular, 41 mm titanium monobloc without a separate bezel, while the case back is a single, faceted and domed piece of sapphire, exposing the flanks of the movement. The sapphire-sandwich construction doesn’t compromise the water resistance, which stands at 100 m, and has a slimming effect, disguising the 15.2 mm height.

The start, stop, and reset buttons are in their conventional locations, while a button at nine o’clock controls the rattrapante. The crown and all three buttons are made of grained and polished grade five titanium, while the sandblasted case is crystallised titanium. As a result, it is lightweight for a big watch, weighing only 86 g, including the strap and clasp.

Image – TAG Heuer

TAG Heuer only refers to the material as TH-Titanium, but it’s better known as crystallized titanium, which has been used in knives and – mostly masculine – jewelry for some years now. To date, its use in watches has been the domain of affordable microbrands. The effect is not a surface treatment, rather, it’s the result of the material’s underlying morphology.

Titanium atoms form crystals with a cubic structure at high temperatures (above 900°C), while at lower temperatures the crystals will grow in a hexagonal pattern. With careful temperature control, it’s possible to start growing crystals in a cubic pattern, then lower the temperature to grow hexagonal crystals. The transition between these cubic and hexagonal regions result in the eye-catching pattern.

Multiple cases being treated at once. Image – TAG Heuer

Heat treatment of the case. Image – TAG Heuer

An F1 Engine

Rather than using the brand’s proprietary chronograph movements, TH81-00 is based on Vaucher’s cal. 6710, and is similar to the caliber RMAC4 used by Richard Mille.

Image – TAG Heuer

The TH81-00 is thoroughly modern and high-spec, with a vertical clutch and high frequency balance running at 36,000 beats per hour, which is particularly desirable as it gives the chronograph a resolution of 1/10th of a second.

Caliber TH81-00. Image – TAG Heuer

The bridges and plates are grade five titanium, a challenging material to decorate, which makes the finishing particularly impressive. The liquid smooth finish on the anglage was clearly done by hand, as was the “scraped” checkerboard pattern according to the brand.

The movement is identical to the one used for the Only Watch 2023 edition, seen here.

Key facts and price

TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph
Ref. CBW2185.FC8350

Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 15.2 mm
Material: Crystallized titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: TH81-00
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph and split-seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 36,000 beats per hour (5 Hz)
Power reserve: 65 hours

Strap: Calf leather with embossed  textile pattern and folding clasp

Limited edition: No, but limited production
Availability: May 2025
Price: CHF145,000

For more, visit Tagheuer.com.