Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026: TAG Heuer Reinvents the Sq.
It’s a recognisable look. The sq. case, the left-hand crown; the Monaco is one among TAG Heuer’s most enduring signature fashions. Again in 1966, when the Microtimer achieved 1/1,000th-second precision, it bolstered the model’s dedication to high-frequency innovation. In 1969, that might result in the launch of the unique TAG Heuer Monaco.
The Monaco’s design was unorthodox and wasn’t instantly embraced by the general public however sport recognised sport because the mannequin was embraced by Sammy Davis Jr, Stanley Kubrick, and, in fact, Steve McQueen.
TAG Heuer would pour lots of assets into the chronograph, honing and refining the strategies for capturing the seconds. 160 years of reinventing the wheel and at present, TAG Heuer will reshape the sq. complication, ensuing within the reimagined Monaco Chronograph and the brand new Monaco Evergraph.
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph
It’s a brand new case design that drew from the unique reference 1133 launched greater than 50 years in the past. You’ve gotten improved ergonomics whereas retaining its sharp, angular edges.
Crafted in grade 5 titanium, the 39mm case extends with gently curved sides. A smaller spherical central part curves towards the sides and the dial has improved legibility with an interaction of shapes, utilized parts, and contrasting subdials that show depth. The dial has a “bi-compax structure”, with subsidiary counters at 3 and 9 o’clock and a date window at 6 o’clock.
Introduced in three colourways, you could have the fan-favourite TAG Heuer Monaco blue, a refined sunray-brushed and lacquered darkish inexperienced dial and a black variant that’s housed in a two-tone case of grade 5 titanium and 18K 5N rose gold. Every timepiece comes with a racing-inspired strap that includes a newly designed grade 5 titanium folding clasp.
However what of the within? Nicely, there beats the brand new in-house Calibre TH20-11. Based mostly on TAG Heuer’s automated Caliber TH20-00, the motion grew to become vital for most of the Maison’s chronographs. It’s a special story with the Monaco Evergraph.
TAG Heuer Monaco Evergraph
The brand new TAG Heuer Monaco Evergraph is powered by the Calibre TH80-00. That includes a compliant chronograph mechanism constructed with versatile parts. It’s an entire redesign of the chronograph complication, the place the inverted building places the barrel, gear prepare, and TH-Carbonspring steadiness and escapement clearly on show from the dial aspect.
Instead of the inflexible levers and is derived, you could have a compliant chronograph mechanism that makes use of two versatile bistable parts—one which begins and stops and the opposite to reset.
Refined over 5 years, these versatile bistable parts allow quick, crisp transitions between positions. Whether or not or not it’s on the primary press of the pushers or the ten-thousandth, the chronograph delivers the identical sensation and accuracy. (We examined out the Evergraph, and the feeling of miserable the pushers could be very passable.)
Taking cues from the Monaco Break up-Seconds Chronograph, a brand new, extra ergonomic design was conceived for the Monaco Evergraph. Set in a 40mm grade 5 titanium case, a clear dial has sweeping arches that maintain the barrel and escapement in place, whereas symmetry is discovered within the subdials for operating seconds and chronograph minutes.
Together with a left-hand crown, the pushers are actually elongated. A tapered profile creates a visible sensation of thinness, whereas the sides alongside the case edges give the watch a way of brutalism.
The Monaco Evergraph is available in two expressions: a titanium model with blue accents, and a black DLC-coated titanium model with pink accents.
This text was first seen on Esquire Singapore.
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