The Revolutionary TAG Heuer Monaco V4 Watch
TAG Heuer has launched a revolutionary timepiece, the Monaco V4 watch. The history of its developing is rather long - TAG Heuer first introduced the concept of the watch at Baselworld in 2004. In 2007, the company presented its pre-series prototypes. The development phase is at last drawing to a close – the watch is expected to go on sale by the last quarter of this year.
While luxury timepieces are often inspired by luxury cars, the Monaco V4 watch is inspired by car engines. Surprisingly, engines and mechanical watches have a lot in common, as they have similar concepts at the basis: transmission, friction, torque and power. TAG Heuer managed to change the rules of watchmaking – it has substituted a rotating oscillating weight for automatic winding for a 4.25-gram platinum ingot which is used as a kind of cylinder, in a linear movement. As if it were not enough, the company replaced the traditional wheels power transmission system by a drive-belt transmission one, consisting of 13 belts with a gauge measure of 0.5 x 0.45mm. The author of the idea behind the belt system is Swiss watchmaker Jean Francois Ruchonnet, who cooperated with TAG Heuer in creating the Monaco V4 watch. The belt transmission system is superior to traditional gears, as a belt can transfer power over any distance and does not require a chain of gears. In addition to this, it excels the traditional system in flexibility and shock resistance.
The Monaco V4 movement also has 2.2mm diameter bearings with 0.25mm balls that rotate inside, instead of synthetic jewels used for reduction of friction. But the most amazing thing in this watch is four barrels with transparent sapphire V-shaped bridges, serving as energy generators. Each barrel produces energy equivalent to 375 grams, and four barrels produce a total output of 1.5 kilos.
The design of the watch is inspired by the classic square case of the “Monaco” chronograph worn by Steve McQueen, which has been symbolic of TAG Heuer’s innovative aesthetic from the moment it was introduced. The polished stainless steel case is matched with a black rubber strap. The stainless steel skeleton dial is protected by a sapphire crystal. Small cutouts in the dial plate allow to see some parts of the movement. The hands of the watch and the center part of the small seconds counter at 5 o’clock position are painted blue.
The Monaco V4 watch is a landmark in the quest to go beyond the lines of conventional watchmaking. With this chronograph, TAG Heuer tries to rethink, re-engineer and re-invent the mechanical watch movement, incorporating the TAG Heuer motto: Let’s take the best from the past and add the best from today and see where it takes us!
The replica Monaco series watches are available on our site, as well as other numerous replica TAG Heuer timepieces.
Classical and contemporary, sporty and chic, they are much easier to afford and look exactly as the original timepieces.