The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix is in the books. Charles Leclerc, the home hero, didn’t win this year, and the importance of qualifying didn’t change despite the mandatory 2-stop rule. What’s more interesting is the timepiece that has long been associated with the city-state.
A couple of days before the race, TAG Heuer (the new title sponsor for the event) introduced a bold new evolution of its Monaco line with the release of the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph, crafted in a new material developed in-house: TH-Titanium. The Monaco’s shape makes it one of those watches some won’t care for but love it or hate it, the new material should catch your attention.
A Material Innovation Years in the Making
TH-Titanium is a textured, high-performance titanium alloy born from four years of development in TAG Heuer Lab in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Engineered using a proprietary thermal process, this material reveals an organic, shifting pattern across its surface, ensuring that no two cases are alike. Designed to capture and reflect light in unique ways, TH-Titanium is visually arresting and strong while being lightweight. The titanium alloy used to develop it is more commonly found in aerospace and high-performance automotive applications.
A Legacy of Precision, Elevated
The Monaco line, famous for its square case, has been around since 1969 and has graced the wrists of legends like Steve McQueen and Stanley Kubrick. The new Split-Seconds Chronograph takes this legacy a step further. It is capable of simultaneously tracking multiple time intervals with unparalleled accuracy (well, at least according to TAG, but we’ll have to wait and see).
Inside the 41mm case lies the automatic Calibre TH81-00, developed with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. Crafted from titanium and weighing only 30 grams, the movement ensures the entire watch, including strap and buckle, weighs a mere 86 grams. Beating at 5Hz, it offers a power reserve of 65 hours with the chronograph off and 55 hours when active.
Form Meets Function
The Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph features a transparent sapphire dial and bezel, showcasing the mechanical depth beneath. Black opaline chronograph counters contrast sharply against the dial, while accents in lime green add a vibrant edge to the pusher and counter hands. The see-through sapphire caseback offers a view of the oscillating weight, hand-finished with racing stripes and a checkered flag motif, further enhancing the timepiece’s kinetic allure.
Every detail speaks to meticulous craftsmanship: polished bevels, sandblasted bridges, and a signature TAG Heuer shield floating within the movement create a visually layered and dynamic mechanical landscape.
Limited Edition Craftsmanship
Each watch is individually numbered and paired with a black calfskin strap featuring a textile finish and lime-accented hand stitching. A grade-5 titanium clasp with fine adjustments ensures a secure and comfortable fit.
Retailing at CHF 145,000, the TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph is available as of May 2025. The watchmaker’s prices don’t usually go that high (most in the Monaco collection go for less than $10,000), but the material science at play here tips the scale.
Given my love for Monaco, I wish the watch was more aesthetically pleasing. The square shape isn’t working for me, but that doesn’t take away from the creative look the TH-Titanium gives the timepiece, a truly exceptional work of art.
