What We Know
Born in 1969 and forever linked to Steve McQueen and the film Le Mans, the unmistakable square case of the Monaco chronograph has given perfect fake TAG Heuer watches the vast canvas to work with. Today, the Swiss brand, inspired by its Formula 1 sponsorship, has two new versions of the timepiece. While both boast a titanium case and skeletonized movement, they’re very different watches, underscoring the versatility for new design and innovation elements TAG expects to bring to the Monaco.
Let’s get to the big boy first. The top replica TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph Air 1 watches is an ambitious and significant release that the brand says is one of the most complicated watches it has ever created. Much of that complexity is in the Grade-5 Titanium case. TAG says it has used ‘Selective Laser Melting’ (SLM), an additive manufacturing technique used in the aerospace, medical, and automotive industries, among others, to create precision components. For the Split-Seconds Chronograph Air 1, the result is a uniquely sculpted case with cutouts and shapes that TAG says are inspired by air intake valves on a hypercar. Just 30 TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph Air 1s will be made and available beginning in December. Priced at CHF 150,000, they’re also worth nearly as much as a hypercar – at least a second-hand model.
So what is SLM? TAG says it’s a process that adds and builds material rather than traditional case making, which uses a solid block of material and a CNC machine to remove material. SLM starts with powdered metal, such as aluminum or, in this case, Grade-5 titanium, and then blasts it with a laser, melting and fusing the powder. The process is repeated, adding layer after layer and guided by a three-dimensional CAD (Computer Aided Design) program and plan. The result is a 41 millimeter case with solid gold elements that weighs just 85 grams.
The movement is a Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier-partnership Calibre TH81-00—a lightweight, high-frequency (5 Hz), automatic split-seconds chronograph with 55–65 hours of power reserve depending on chrono use. The skeletonized and hyper-cased ‘Air’ follows the buy copy TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph Air 1 watches, introduced earlier this year, which used the same movement. The split-seconds, also known as a rattrapante, allows the user to time two elements (race cars, for example) that start at the same time but finish at different times. Visible on the sapphire dial that shows off all of the open work elements, it’s, no doubt, a useful tool around the track.
With the neon elements of the other Monaco Chronograph released today, we’re getting a very different vibe. It’s in Grade-2 titanium, featuring a 39 millimeter case with a black DLC coating. The lume elements on the dial are what make this one different. It’s supposed to make you think of night racing circuits in Formula 1 and the neon-lit city streets. There’s a whole lot of glow here. Super-LumiNova elements include blue for the chronograph complication, while green highlights the AAA clone watches and the date elements. Lighting up the arches at the top of the open-work dial is purple Super-LumiNova that makes us think of Miami for some reason. Blue lume is used on the outer minute track with more purple on the inside. It’s definitely one to glow on.
The color theme continues on the caseback with the open sapphire crystal finished with an iridescent metal treatment that shifts across the spectrum from purple to blue. Driving the mechanics inside is TAG’s chronograph workhorse, the TH20-00 chrono movement that gets the job done. It’s all tied together by a black hybrid rubber and calfskin strap. Also a limited edition, this one of 600 pieces, the Monaco Chronograph retails for CHF 11,000.
What We Think
TAG is certainly leaning into its history and long-standing ties to motorsports and putting a bow on its triumphant return to Formula 1 as official timekeeper. But these are both a far cry from the heritage, vintage-inspired chronos that many think of when they think of the Monaco. With its novel case construction and top-tier cheap replica watches UK, the Air 1 is at the cutting edge of tech boundary-pushing, while the neon Monaco Chronograph knows how to get lit. We can expect TAG to keep finding new ways to reinvent its most famous track timer for more laps.
