Monaco Twenty Four Concept combines works & looks with time

27 Mar '09

3 min read

Invoking the electrifying spirit of the world's most arduous sports car race, TAG Heuer continues to push the boundaries of watchmaking with its Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph. Introduced at BaselWorld, this provocative timepiece features the same state-of-the-art engineering as the powerful GT cars that take to the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. Additionally, the Monaco boasts a shock protection system invented by TAG Heuer that is the first of its kind, underscoring the brand's passion for revolutionizing the way timekeeping works and looks.

The Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph's race car-inspired functionality is found in every aspect of the piece's design, most notably in the energy manifold that houses the Calibre 36 movement. Comparable to a GT car's cockpit cage, this proprietary steel-tube structure safeguards the mechanism, ensuring that the watch can better withstand shock.

The movement gains additional protection from a shock-absorbing composite filter material that comprises the manifold's arms. Used in the racing and aerospace industry, this material insulates the Calibre 36 movement by directing vibrations into the composite filter, which absorbs and dissipates their energy. Unlike a conventional timepiece's Incabloc system, which protects the mechanism only from external shocks, TAG Heuer's revolutionary Advanced Dynamic Absorber insulates the movement entirely.

The Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph is able to withstand an impact of 24,000 G, the equivalent of a 65-foot fall, compared with the industry standard of 2,000 - 5,000 G, or a three-foot fall. These additional safeguards ensure the Monaco and its components will remain unscathed whether the wearer is skydiving from 15,000 feet or attending a very enthusiastic business meeting.

Another definitive attribute of the chronograph is its annular oscillating weight. Unlike conventional watch weights, the Monaco's is made out industrial-grade tungsten, a rare metallic element that is extremely hard and infusible. The heaviness of the tungsten - and ultimately the oscillating weight - allows the chronograph to be more fully wound, resulting in more accurate timekeeping. Such attention to detail epitomizes TAG Heuer's passion for perfecting even the tiniest increment of time.

The Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph features the same iconic square dial as the original Monaco Automatic Chronograph, but advances its look with a black PVD-coated case and an oversized "24" at the 12 o'clock position. Additionally, the 40.5 mm piece bears a two-part dial: The upper part is embellished with a blue and an orange stripe, the same design found on Grand Prix champion and TAG Heuer ambassador Jo Siffert's racing suit from the 1960s.

The lower portion of the dial boasts two semi sub-counters at 3 and 9 o'clock - the first part of the hand at 3 o'clock displays zero to 15 minutes and then triggers the hand at 9 o'clock to count 15 to 30 minutes.

Other features of the timepiece include: scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and caseback, anti-reflective double-sided treatment and water resistance to 100 meters. It is featured on a blue alligator strap with orange stitching.

TAG Heuer

More TAG Heuer News... More Fashion News - Switzerland...