TAG Heuer Monaco V4

TAG Heuer Monaco V4: an amazing 36-month odyssey from concept watch to pre-series production, and an ongoing adventure that will involve many more approval and certification procedures prior to actually bringing the model to market...

*TAG Heuer Monaco V4 Minisite

Baselworld 2004: TAG Heuer took the watchmaking world by surprise when it launched a revolutionary concept-watch. The mechanical Monaco V4 overturned basic watchmaking principles by featuring driving belts and ball-bearings instead of the conventional wheels and pinions. Representing a daring move undertaken with the help of watchmaker Philippe Dufour, the Monaco V4 sprung a surprise, aroused admiration and raised immediate debate and questions. Opinions were divided: was it a real watchmaking breakthrough or just a marketing gimmick? The concept watch certainly left nobody indifferent.





After 36 months and thousands of hours of design, simulation and finally construction, TAG Heuer returns to Baselworld 2007. This time with not only a prototype that has turned out a remarkable performance over a year, confirming that toothed belts can be used instead of wheels and pinions, but also with some pre-series products that give an idea of the movement’s final construction. So when will it be ready? It’s a long road ahead because the V4 is still a TAG Heuer, and that means top-rate quality and performance in line with the products that have earned the brand its reputation since 1860.

The first pre-series prototypes were officially presented at Baselworld 2007. Above and beyond the product innovation and the confirmation that TAG Heuer is serious in its approach, it reveals a ground-breaking development process with a huge upstream application of mathematics, physics and computer simulations more akin to the aerospace industry than to traditional Swiss watchmaking. It also heralds the introduction into watchmaking of new skills and players from the world of the infinitely small that have helped TAG Heuer miniaturise and apply to timepieces the engineering and components usually developed in such other fields as medical and space technology.

After the presentation of the Monaco V4 Concept Watch in, the technical management had to review virtually all the functions of its revolutionary watchmaking concept. This was due to the kinetic complexities of the innovative mechanical approach and the results of the various studies carried out by the R&D department on the resilience of some components, which have to be able to work well in the long term at no extra cost to the consumer.



The new, and therefore unique, techniques applied to make this watch impose certain specific constraints. They required a total review of the traditional, and often empirical and repetitive approach to development, to arrive at a new development process relying heavily on mathematics, physics and computer simulation, before embarking on construction. Jean-Christophe Babin, TAG Heuer’s CEO, sums up the issue: “If you built an aircraft in the same empirical and iterative way as we have been making watches for the past four centuries, the chances that the plane will crash on the runway on the first test flight are relatively high, and would probably be detrimental to the commercial future of the project. That is why we have decided to review our procedures for the V4 entirely, rather than rush into construction and prototypes. We wanted above all to break down a watch movement into sub-assemblies and to simulate and validate each of them theoretically before thinking of making prototypes. Moreover the prototype that has been working for a year is the only one we have made. After all, why aim for an approximation when the power of modern computing and simulation tools enables a gradual approach to a theoretical design that is close to the ideal?”



Thousands of hours of simulation on powerful computers have therefore resolved and analysed the action of conventional movements, providing a scientific basis on which to model and replicate each module of the V4 movement within the physical and dynamic constraints of such new components as the transmission belts. Today, the Monaco V4’s architecture, although reconsidered, remains true to the spirit of the Concept Watch that created such a sensation. Some will find it similar overall, yet entirely different to the watch presented in 2004. Thus is the magic of creativeness when seen through a subjective lens. The fundamentals remain the same: belt drive, ball-bearings, linear oscillating-weight, spring barrels in a V4 configuration like the cylinders of a sports car.

In the present state of development, many of the transmission problems due to the materials used to make the toothed belts have been solved. The bulky toothed belts of the first generation have given way to new versions, only 7mm thick. These have teeth profiled to ISO norms rather than the NIHS (Swiss watchmaking) standards applied to most of the wheels and pinions of conventional watchmaking. To produce such belts for the prototypes, TAG Heuer applied advanced technologies such as Femto laser. For the pre-series models it used micro-injection techniques in moulds made to nanometre tolerances.

The functional validation phase of the synchronous belt-drive system and of the automatic winding by linear oscillating-weight is now completed. The next step is to certify the reliability of the complete pre-series prototypes. The movement prototype has now been working for more than a year with the same precision as a traditional mechanical movement. For form’s sake, each working component is thoroughly examined for several weeks under a high-definition cinecamera to check the viability of all the structural modifications that have been implemented.

To meet the stringent specifications of the Quality Department, the engineers have decided to reduce the number of toothed-belt transmissions, while refining them to improve efficiency and flexibility.



A large number of ISO involute gearings are now found in the movement, which delivers higher energy efficiency than a traditional mechanical movement.

A pre-series of 20 units is now in production and the first of these will be presented as a preview at Baselworld 2007. This pre-series, will be used, like those of the brand’s other products, to undergo the stringent tests of the quality department for which TAG Heuer has been granted Swiss patent CH 695 197 05, conferring official intellectual-property status on all the tests and equipment of the TAG Heuer laboratories. The aim is also to obtain a COSC chronometer certification for the V4.



A little more patience - there’s still a long way to go, but the dream is coming true.

Transcript of the Chat about the Monaco V4 with TAG Heuer's CEO, Jean-Christophe Babin





Good afternoon, we are very pleased to welcome Jean-Christophe Babin...
Jean-Christophe Babin (JCB) : Hello everybody, thank you for attending this first chat with TAG Heuer on the revolutionary Monaco V4.


Hari : Who is the designer of the Monaco V4 Revolution ?
JCB : The original belt system idea came from a Swiss watchmaker named Jean Francois Ruchonnet. Then TAG Heuer and JF Ruchonnet worked together to apply patents covering belts and ball bearings for watchmaking.


CAG : Who was the designer of the Movement ? Was it done in-house or with the help of an outside movement design/manufacturer ?
JCB : The initial idea was from JF Ruchonnet. Then the project was worked by a multifunctional team with the bottom plate and the bridges made internally by TAG Heuer and the assortment y Philippe Duffour.


Edgar : What is the profile of JF Ruchonnet and who is Philippe Duffour ?
JCB : JF Ruchonnet is a pure creative talent from digital images to product concepts when Philippe Duffour is one of the most talented Swiss watchmasters developping its own masterpieces like the "simplicity".


yes : How long did it take to create such a watch ?
JCB : It took 20 months altogether from the first idea around a glass of pinot noir to the first beat of the movement a few days before Basel 2004.


patricia : Good afternoon, Mr Babin. How many people were involved in the creation of this watch?
JCB : We had a project team of six complementary creators including four watchmakers from TAG Heuer and Philippe Duffour


Simu : As the CEO, what is your role in the creation of a new model ?
JCB : In luxury and in watches in particular the CEO involvement in product development is fifty percent of his time as the product is virtually everything; in the V4 in particular given the very high stakes I spent for several months one to two days per week on this project.


jeb : Why is it called MONACO ?
JCB : The Monaco is an historical icon of TAG Heuer invented in 1969 as the first waterproof square chronograph equipped with the world first automatic movement, the chronomatic 11 calibre. 35 years later it was logical to use the Monaco design inspiration to welcome a major mechanical movement breakthrough like V4.


jeb : Looks like a watch I saw in Matrix !! The design of the Monaco watch looks like body mechanisms (bones/muscles). Were you inspired by such aesthetics ?
JCB : The only comparison with Matrix is that indeed it is very futuristic perhaps with some more poetry inside.


idrissa : Hello M. Babin, can you explain us what the core technical concepts behind this watch are?
JCB : Very simple. A total reinvention of the mechanical movement principles, that is replacing the pinions and gear system with belts and replacing the rubies with ball races.


djay : Except for its original design, what are the peculiarities of this watch ?
JCB : It combines a unique transmission chain made of belts with a linear ingot to rewind the barrels.


Alexandra : Do we see the actual technical innovation when we look at the Monaco Watch ?
JCB : Indeed the skeleton approach allows immediately to spot belts instead of pinions which characterize one of the major innovative dimensions of the V4.


jvrabel : Congrats on the design. Beautiful. The major concern is the belt. What is this belt made out of? Also, I would prefer that you made the band out of stainless.
JCB : Band out of stainless is like done just for you ! For the belts material conversely I keep it for me as it is totally new technologies and molecules.


francoise : How many functional pieces of the V4 are yet existing, and what can you (or the watchmakers) say about the precision of the movement?
JCB : We have two functional prototypes beating in our workshop of Chaux de Fonds at this stage. Precision is perfect as given by a first rate assortment selected by Philippe Duffour. Major challenges ahead are the belts behaviour over time, and the power reserve.


jeroen : Why do you show and introduce the watch when you don' know when you can deliver the watch ?
JCB : This is the essence of a "concept watch": it expresses a vision and tries to validate a concept free of any economical and industrial constraints. Then and upon experts feedback TAG Heuer decides or not to go further. It is very similar to the car industry where every year each manufacturer presents several futuristic projects.


jeroen : Good afternoon Mr Babin when is it available ?
JCB : We do not know yet as we are just starting the industrial development and as the leading top quality watch brand we won't market it until it will be 100 percent reliable.


Wtc : Can we already order it?
JCB : Not yet as the development to secure 100 percent quality could take another 24 to 48 months.


ok : Is there a waiting list for this watch?
JCB : Yes too long already...

rolf : Do you have any idea of its price yet ?
JCB : Initially very high as we will manufacture manually very few Monaco V4, then as the movement will become more industrialised the price could stabilise around 10 000 euros.


lance : What do you mean by very high? Will it be one the most expensive watches by TH?
JCB : Anywhere between 50 and 100 thousand euros as the V4 is to TAG Heuer what the tourbillion is to others.


Carlos : It would be nice to see a tour of the Monaco V4 being shown at retailers. Any chance it could happen in Portugal?
JCB : Currently the TAG Heuer Monaco V4 is exhibited in Tokyo in Evance gallery and will continue on a worldwide tour hopefully stopping by Portugal.


Guest2 : What kind of people do you target with this watch ?
JCB : Initially watch collectors and connoisseurs as well as upscale trendy celebrities.


alice : Is it a man's watch?
JCB : It is first and foremost a beautiful watch and as such has no sex limitation!


alice : OK but isn't it too big for a woman's wrist ?
JCB : Nowadays many women wear rather big watches and find then very trendy, the TAG Heuer Monaco "Python" which we launched this year perfectly illustrates this trend.


Carlos : Good afternoon, Mr Babin. How do you think will the V4 influence TAG Heuer as a brand in the future?
JCB : The V4 epitomises the innovative DNA of TAG Heuer and forces us to reach new creative heights in the future to continue to be the legend of the TAG Heuer brand.


john : Does the Monaco Watch announce a technical revolution for TAG Heuer ?
JCB : It announces foremost a revolution for watchmaking as the combination of belts and ball bearings creates de facto the first new generation of mechanical movements in three centuries.


Brac : Are you going to develop a whole range of watches with the same technical innovations ?
JCB : Today, the priority is to turn the V4 from a concept movement into an industrial precise and reliable movement. Then only we will have the total freedom to use this movement in other TAG Heuer timepieces.


lol : Which is your favourite watch of the whole TAG Heuer Collection ? The one you wear ?
JCB : Actually there are two styles: I am very fond of the Carrera celebrating this year its 40th anniversary and designed in 1964 by TAG Heuer honorary chairman, Jack Heuer ; the second is the New Link Series developed together with Tiger Woods.


mummy : Trendy celebrities? Who for example? Do you have ambassadors ?
JCB : For instance Michael Jordan who recently bought a Monaco chronograph in our Omotesando boutique in Tokyo. The brand corporate ambassadors include Tiger Woods, Indy racing champion Scott Dixon, Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikonnen.


Mr K : Who will be the ambassador for the v4 ?
JCB : Who would you suggest knowing TAG Heuer and the V4 concept ?


CAG : It should be Mika Hakkinen


rolf :I think Tiger Woods would be perfect!


rolf : Or maybe Schumacher..


CAG : Or Kimmi


Maria : Keanu Reeves, Matrix is about time..


francoise : James Bond, if available.. With a V4 full of incredible hidden accessories. And a Mercy, of course!


Mr K : No Tom Cruise from mission impossible would be the perfect choice


francoise : Lara Croft?


Shin : I could see Monica Belluci as the Woman Ambassador of the watch.


chris : BERTARELLI, Swiss multimillionaire and America’s cup holder would be the definitive MONACO ambassador


Noely : Maybe it would be an option to still use Steve McQueen as the V4 ambassador with inference to fan belts of his Mustang from Bullit, etc. ?


Carlos : TAG Heuer has clearly outrun competition this year in what concerns creativity. What can we expect at Basel 2005 ?
JCB : Probably another major surprise, again in movements but on totally different grounds versus the V4.


CAG : What do you think about some manufacturers that measure time in 1/4th and 1/8th of a second?
JCB : It was a necessary learning step towards the tenth, hundredth, and thousand of a seconds, three measurements achieved by TAG heuer with breakthrough timepieces such as the link calibre 36, the micrograph 1/100 and last year the microtimer 1/1000.


john : Does TAG Heuer position its brand as an innovator ?
JCB : Since 144 years TAG Heuer has set several major watchmaking milestones such as the 1/100th of a second in 1916 or the first automatic chronograph in 1969. Hence our motto "Swiss avant-garde since 1860".


David : Would you rather say TAG Heuer is known as making innovative watches or sporting watches?
JCB : TAG Heuer is clearly inspired by the most accurate and fast sports like Formula 1 or Golf, but cannot be reduced as a sportswatch brand only. It is first and foremost the avant-garde luxury Swiss watch brand, since 1860.


nancy : Are there other concept watches by TAG Heuer ?
JCB : The first concept watch was the Monaco 69 presented in Basel 2003. We will present new very innovative concepts in Basel 2005.


Carlos:Will we continue to see the use of Zenith movements in TAG Heuer watches?
JCB : As long as Zenith movements will be the most accurate, that is measuring 1/10th of a second, YES definitely.


CAG : Why did TAG Heuer leave Formula 1?
JCB : We are still in Formula 1 as official chronograph of the Mercedes Mclaren team and its drivers Kimi Raikonnen and David Coulthard. As official timekeeping is concerned after twelve years we have achieved all our goals in terms of awareness and 1/1000th of a second technologies therefore we have decided to take the 1/10000th of a second ultimate challenge of the mythical Indy 500 championship.


CAG : Is the SLR really only for Mercedes SLR owners ?
JCB : Absolutely, every single SLR supercar owner can buy up to two TAG Heuer SLR chronographs bearing is supercar chassis number.


CAG : What can you tell us about the Monaco sixty-nine?
JCB : First that a concept can become a commercial product. Indeed the 69 was presented at Basel 2003 as a concept and will be marketed by the end of 2004. Second that an innovative brand like TAG Heuer can easily blend tradition and avant-garde with mechanical and digital in one product.


CAG : What would be the price of the Monaco Sixty-nine?
JCB : Around five thousand euros.


ernestine : What is the "product" you are the most proud of ?
JCB : Probably the new link series as they epitomise better than any other sport and elegance, daringness and timelessness, watchmaking know-how and innovation.


Johnny : How old are you Mr. Babin, and what is your career profile ?
JCB : I am already 45 years old, and have been 4 years at the helm of TAG Heuer. Before I was working in Germany as Executive Vice-President of the Henkel Group.


Mik-z : M Babin... did you ever play golf with Tiger ? If yes, can you tell me the result ?
JCB : Not yet in public. I might start at the forthcoming Deutsch open tournament in Boston early September 2004... provided I can take enough holidays to improve my swing and my putting!


mat : What is your definition of time?
JCB : It is the essence of the mystery of life.


andré Rouzeau : Peut-on vous proposer d'autres innovations ?
JCB : Bien sûr, en me les envoyant personnellement chez TAG Heuer à Marin en Suisse.


Mr K : What watch did you wear before you began working for Tag?
JCB : I had two cherished timepieces from my years in Germany: a Muhle automatic watch manufactured in Saxony, and strange coincidence an old Heuer Carrera from the late 60s


jvrabel : What watch do you have on your arm right now?
JCB : A brand new TAG Heuer Formula 1 which is my favourite for wind-surfing and sailing activities which I am gonna do in one hour on the nearby Neuchatel lake.


Thank you very much Jean-Christophe, a word of conclusion..
JCB : I am very happy by the level of interest generated by TAG Heuer and the V4 revolution in particular in this chat session. This will be one more reason for all my TAG Heuer watchmakers to further surprise you with daring concepts bearing a commercial watch potential. Thank you to everybody being sorry not to be able to answer all questions in just one hour. We will soon propose you another chat session as its energising for me!