TAG Heuer Monaco Flyback Chronograph TH-Carbonspring automatic black dial rubber strap 39 mm

A Watchmaking Legend Reinvented

In 1969, TAG Heuer – then still Heuer – shook up the watchmaking world with an unprecedented creation: the Monaco. The first square and water-resistant chronograph watch, it surprised and seduced with its boldness. Its angular case, designed by Piquerez, stood out against the softer lines of the time, while its petrol-blue dial and left-positioned crown became instantly recognizable. But the true revolution lay inside: the Monaco was powered by the Calibre 11 Chronomatic, one of the world’s very first automatic chronograph movements, born from a historic collaboration between Heuer, Breitling, Hamilton-Büren and Dubois-Dépraz.

The Monaco quickly entered legend. In 1971, Steve McQueen chose it for his role in the cult film Le Mans. Strapped to his wrist, the watch became a symbol of freedom, speed, and modernity. That appearance forever etched the Monaco into collective memory, transforming it into a true cultural icon associated with motor racing and the avant-garde aesthetics of the 1970s.

Over the decades, the Monaco has constantly reinvented itself while staying true to its identity: from faithful reissues of historic models to the most contemporary interpretations, it embodies TAG Heuer’s pioneering spirit. Always square, always daring, the Monaco has become more than a watch: it is a manifesto of design and innovation.

With the 2025 Flyback Chronograph TH-Carbonspring edition, this legend takes a new step. True to its role as a watchmaking laboratory, TAG Heuer projects the Monaco into the future by equipping it with a major technical innovation that extends the bold and disruptive legacy begun in 1969.

TH-Carbonspring: The Silent Revolution

The year 2025 marks a turning point for TAG Heuer with the introduction of the TH-Carbonspring, a watchmaking innovation that reinvents the beating heart of the mechanical watch. Developed within the TAG Heuer Institute and entirely designed and produced by the Manufacture, this hairspring is the result of more than ten years of intensive research and development.

Traditionally made from metal alloys, and more recently silicon, the hairspring regulates the oscillations of the balance wheel. It directly determines the precision and reliability of the movement. Any advancement in this field therefore represents a major breakthrough for the watch industry.

The choice of carbon represents a genuine rupture. This cutting-edge material combines lightness, strength, and stability. Compared with traditional alloys, which are sensitive to temperature variations, and silicon, which is efficient but sometimes fragile against shocks, the TH-Carbonspring stands out thanks to:

• Thermal stability and lightness, reducing inertia and guaranteeing timekeeping regularity in all conditions.
• Enhanced immunity to magnetic fields, the invisible enemy of mechanical precision.
• Greater shock resistance, offering superior durability in everyday life as well as in sports use.
• Optimized longevity, ensuring stable performance across decades.

These advantages make the TH-Carbonspring a third technological pathway after metal alloys and silicon, opening a new era for mechanical movements.

Invisible to most eyes, the hairspring is nonetheless the very heart of the watch. By reinventing this fundamental organ, TAG Heuer is not signing a simple improvement but a true scientific and watchmaking revolution. It is a breakthrough that redefines the standards of precision and reliability for decades to come.

Proof of its importance, TAG Heuer chose to introduce the TH-Carbonspring in two flagship models:

• The Monaco Flyback Chronograph CBL5190.FT6313, a historic icon that becomes the laboratory of a forward-looking watchmaking vision.
• The Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring, the ultimate expression of performance, with its COSC-certified flying tourbillon.

In these two creations – each limited to just 50 pieces – the carbon hairspring does not merely power a movement: it transforms these watches into technological manifestos, symbols of TAG Heuer’s avant-garde spirit.

The Heuer TH20-60 Flyback COSC Movement

At the heart of the TAG Heuer Monaco Flyback Chronograph CBL5190.FT6313 beats an exceptional engine: the Calibre Heuer TH20-60 Flyback. Entirely developed and assembled in-house, this movement embodies the watchmaking expertise of the Manufacture and TAG Heuer’s ambition to deliver top-level chronographs that are precise, reliable, and high-performance.

This calibre is based on an integrated construction that brings together the most demanding standards of modern chronograph design:

• Column wheel: ensuring smooth and precise operation of the chronograph functions.
• Vertical clutch: guaranteeing instantaneous start of the central hand, with no stutter, for flawless legibility.
• 80-hour power reserve: an impressive autonomy that allows the watch to be set aside over the weekend and picked up on Monday, still running perfectly.

This robust and modern architecture reflects TAG Heuer’s commitment to placing precision and durability at the core of its creations.

The distinctive feature of this version lies in its Flyback function. Invented in the 1930s to meet the needs of pilots, it enables the chronograph to be reset and instantly restarted with a single press. An ideal function for performing rapid consecutive timings, without stopping, resetting, and restarting the mechanism.
In the context of the Monaco, this sporty complication resonates with the brand’s DNA of speed and performance, reinforcing its unbreakable ties with the world of motor racing.

Beyond its technical sophistication, the movement of this Monaco is officially certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). This prestigious distinction guarantees daily accuracy within strict tolerances, between -4 and +6 seconds per day.

A Bold, All-Black Design

The Monaco has always been synonymous with aesthetic audacity. With this Flyback Chronograph TH-Carbonspring edition, TAG Heuer takes things to the next level, offering a radically contemporary interpretation where carbon technology meets the iconic square silhouette.

The 39 mm case, faithful to the original proportions of the Monaco, is crafted from black forged carbon. Lightweight yet highly resistant, this high-tech material is composed of carbon fibers compressed and heated to form a unique structure. Each watch features an individual veined pattern, making every piece truly one-of-a-kind.

On the wrist, this architecture offers striking contrast: the iconic geometric silhouette meets the raw, futuristic look of carbon, a symbol of performance and modernity.

The dial also adopts a carbon aesthetic, reinforcing the visual coherence of the watch. The black contrasting registers ensure perfect readability of the chronograph indications, while the hands are coated with white Super-Luminova®, guaranteeing optimal legibility even in darkness.

Paired with a black rubber strap featuring a textile-embossed finish, the watch embraces a resolutely sporty style, built to withstand the most extreme conditions.