At Watches & Wonders 2026, TAG Heuer presents the Monaco Evergraph, and this time, the point is not design or a simple mechanical upgrade. The operation is more radical. The Maison intervenes directly in the architecture of the chronograph, questioning construction principles that have remained essentially unchanged for decades.
160 Years of TAG Heuer Signature Chronography
To understand the scope of this project, we need to take a brief historical overview. TAG Heuer has been building its identity on the chronograph for more than 160 years, starting with Edouard Heuer’s innovations in the 19th century and ending with the Mikrograph in 1916, the first instrument capable of measuring the hundredth of a second. Then 1969 marked a turning point with the original Monaco, the first automatic chronograph with a square water-resistant case and Calibre 11, an object that defined an era.
The Monaco Evergraph fits into this line but completely changes its approach. The aesthetics remain recognizable, with the square 40 mm grade 5 titanium case and crown on the left, but it is the way the watch is constructed and perceived that makes the difference. The skeletonized dial introduces new visual depth and, more importantly, exposes normally hidden mechanical elements. The movement is designed with inverted architecture, making the barrel, time train, and balance visible dial side.
Caliber TH80-00: compliant architecture
The central point, however, remains the Caliber TH80-00. TAG Heuer almost completely abandons the traditional mechanical language of the chronograph and introduces a “compliant” system. The classic levers and springs are replaced by bistable flexible components, developed in-house by TAG Heuer LAB over the course of five years. These elements work by controlled elastic deformation and allow switching between start, stop and reset functions without the energy losses typical of traditional systems.
Fabrication is through LIGA technology, which allows extremely high dimensional accuracies. The concrete advantage is greater stability over time. The response of the pushers remains constant, the force required does not vary, and the behavior of the chronograph is not affected by wear in the way it is in conventional systems.
Performance-wise, the caliber operates at 5 Hz, or 36,000 vibrations per hour, with a 70-hour power reserve and COSC certification. The TH-Carbonspring oscillator adds resistance to magnetic fields and contributes to chronometric stability.
The Evergraph Monk
The rest of the watch follows the same logic. The case construction is revised to improve ergonomics and volume distribution, while the sapphire case back retains the square shape and allows full reading of the movement, designed specifically for this architecture. Two versions are available, one in titanium with blue accents and one with black DLC coating and red details, both water-resistant to 100 meters.
The Monaco Evergraph is the result of five years of development and collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. The interesting fact is that the goal was not to add complexity, but to reduce the variables that affect the behavior of the chronograph. It is an engineering approach rather than a demonstration approach.
Conclusions and Price
Final reflection is inevitable. The chronograph is one of the most codified complications in mechanical watchmaking, and any attempt to alter its architecture carries real risks. TAG Heuer chooses to address them by proposing a solution that focuses on functional consistency rather than spectacular effect.
If the compliant system proves reliable in the long run, the Monaco Evergraph could mark a real turning point, not only for the brand but for the entire segment. If not, it will still remain a serious and structured attempt to challenge an established paradigm.
The price, set at 25,000 euros, clearly positions the model in contemporary haute horlogerie territory. A choice consistent with TAG Heuer’s technical content and ambition.
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