Monaco V4 review

Concepts

Monaco V4

The revolutionary Monaco V4 Concept watch: inspired by the architecture of high performance motor engines.

With the innovation of the Monaco V4 Concept Watch, TAG Heuer overturned a fundamental principle of watchmaking, replacing the traditional pinion and gear transmission with a belt-driven movement.

With the innovation of the Monaco V4 Concept Watch, TAG Heuer overturned a fundamental principle of watchmaking, replacing the traditional pinion and gear transmission with a belt-driven movement. After causing a sensation at its debut in 2004, the Monaco V4 is once again set to achieve the unbelievable by going into commercial production.

The TAG Heuer team wanted to show the world that the rules of watchmaking could be entirely reinvented. Inspired by high performance automobiles, they decided to replace the cogs and wheels of a traditional mechanical movement with a belt-driven transmission.

Using the principles of aerospace engineering, the watchmaking team were set to rethink each movement, each piece, each transmission. Little by little, a model for an entirely new mechanism began to see the day.

The traditional pinion and gear transmission was replaced by a revolutionary system of belts of 0.07mm - the same size as a human hair.

In the winding system, the oscillating weight became a linear weight, revealing the whole movement and the four V-position barrels.

Specific rubies were replaced by micro ball bearings to further minimize friction.

The Monaco V4: an incredible achievement which took the TAG Heuer R&D teams five years of relentless effort.

With the Monaco V4 Concept watch, TAG Heuer again stakes claim to the leading edge of design innovation and honors its celebrated motto: "Swiss avant-garde since 1860."

A revolutionary belt-driven transmission

The patented belt-driven transmission is a high-yield relay of 5 notched micro drive-belts whose tension is controlled by 2 turnbuckles. The transmission belts in polyether block amide have a 0.07mm section, and are 10 times smaller than any belt ever manufactured.

Reinventing energy and automatic winding systems

A second patent was granted for the innovative linear mass, replacing the classic oscillating mass. Mounted on the word's smallest ball bearings, the 12g tungsten ingot moves up and down between 2 pairs of V-shaped barrels (hence the name V4). The barrels are angled at +/- 13 degrees, like the cylinders of a high performance racing engine.

Radical design

With its square shape and automatic chronograph, the Monaco V4 recalls the original Monaco series. But with its complex design clearly visible through sapphire glass in the front and back, the Monaco V4 shows how truly evolved watchmaking can become.

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The legendary incarnation of the world of motor racing

Worn by the legendary Steve McQueen in the Hollywood racing film, Le Mans, the world’s first automatic chronograph continues to set trends. With its daring square case and rule-breaking technology, the Monaco is a contemporary classic.

In 1969 TAG Heuer released the first automatic chronograph, and broke with tradition by creating the first square waterproof case to house it.
The Monaco became an instant icon on the wrist of legend Steve McQueen in the 1970 film, Le Mans. TAG Heuer continues to break all the rules with the revolutionary Monaco V4, the world’s first timepiece with a belt-driven transmission.