What’s higher than one chronograph? Two chronographs. Small marvel, then, that we chronograph lovers have a tendency to like the rattrapante, also called the split-seconds chronograph. Who higher to tackle this most intricate than TAG Heuer, a watchmaker intently related to the complication? Behold, the new-for-2024 TAG Heuer Monaco Cut up-Seconds Chronograph watch, one of many extra difficult Monaco watches in latest reminiscence.
What a bundle, this one. The Monaco, with its trademark squared-off angularity and Darth Vader helmet vibes, is a perfect car for sophisticated actions and engineering options. One of many finer examples of this that you could be or might not bear in mind is 2009’s Monaco 24 with its Zenith El Primero-derived motion and exceedingly cool motion suspension system. Some 15 years later, the Monaco nonetheless seems nice in its extra difficult variations, and proper now, there are none extra difficult than this 138,000-dollar TAG Heuer Monaco Cut up-Seconds Chronograph that we acquired to expertise hands-on at Watches & Wonders 2024.
Within the steel (right here in DLC-coated black titanium but additionally accessible in naked titanium), the Monaco Rattrapante feels loads like different watches on this rarified phase — particularly, watches fitted with light-weight instances and heavy-weight actions. It’s one of many uncommon few remaining workout routines in watchmaking that’s but to be democratized and introduced down in worth — and TAG Heuer definitely is in no rush to connect a extra real looking worth level to such a halo piece as this Monaco Cut up-Seconds Chronograph.
As befits such a covetable chronograph, the Monaco Cut up-Seconds seems technical — you can argue busy — from each angle, together with the entrance the place the dial has been lowered to a slim sapphire disc that carries the minute monitor. The thick utilized brand with its polished edges and texts in opposition to a matte backdrop is particularly cool (simply examine the picture under), whereas the squared and squished subdials add a retro Monaco contact with out overloading on nostalgia. The thickly lacquered crimson central seconds hand and openworked palms are a no brainer — they only work. The cut-outs and appliqués of the “dial” are on-brand for TAG Heuer and remind us of the Heuer-01 and its successors, simply all turned as much as, if not 11, then at the very least a stable 9.
The again does its personal to amaze, with an enormous and, certainly, uniquely formed and faceted sapphire crystal caseback. If you happen to ask me, this element is probably the most particular one which reveals itself from this angle, much more fascinating than the motion. That mentioned, the TAG Heuer Caliber TH81-00 does what it could actually to maintain up, together with a middle bridge with a checkerboard sample — “a TAG Heuer signature,” in response to the model — in addition to a big and openworked oscillating weight, sandblasted surfaces put in distinction with polished screw-heads, and a fine-brushed steadiness wheel bridge with polished bevels.
A thick beveled edge is, certainly, current on the middle bridge, and in case you look elsewhere, you’ll additionally discover thinner, hand-refined edges (comparable to when peeking by the cutout of the rotor on the picture above). Nonetheless, the rotor seems an entire lot extra industrial — “trendy” can be fairly the euphemism — than a six-figure-priced element. Then once more, nobody checks the (aesthetically a lot much less refined and sophisticated) motion on a equally priced Rolex, Cartier, or Omega, and, to be honest, none of those huge manufacturers attempt to compete with small impartial watchmakers who usually attempt to provide superior hand-applied decorations.
Simply in case you missed watch college the day it was offered, a split-seconds chronograph is a stopwatch operate with two overlapping seconds palms. A devoted additional pusher, set into the left facet of the case on this occasion, can be utilized to separate the 2, marking one measured time interval by the stopped heart seconds hand whereas the opposite retains on timing. Beginning, stopping, and resetting the chronograph operate occurs within the conventional trend, by urgent the pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock.
The calfskin strap has a crimson material exterior hooked up to a folding clasp with a tang buckle. Neither the strap nor the buckle really feel like they belong on a $138,000 watch (and even $38,000), however these would possibly simply be prototype-related points. Possibly that is simply me saying that if a longtime and revered engineering firm like TAG Heuer goes off-limits with a watch, I would really like it to assault each element of the watch with a fleet of engineers very, very excessive on stimulants with no Excel sheets or expense stories wherever in sight.
Regardless of its compromises, there’s a lot to love right here, and there’s no cause for the Monaco Rattrapante to not do effectively. It’s value remembering that the attraction for patrons right here is in sporting a really difficult and rarified big-brand watch, and, as a type of, the TAG Heuer Monaco Cut up-Seconds Chronograph is a robust contender destined to be lapped up by devoted well-heeled collectors. The TAG Heuer Monaco Cut up-Seconds Chronograph is priced at $138,000 USD. For $169,000 USD, you may have TAG Heuer customise sure elements to your style and need. Study extra on the model’s web site.
