TAG Heuer Introduces Carbon Monaco And Carrera Models Equipped With The Revolutionary TH-Carbonspring

Watch brands are constantly pushing the boundaries of new materials. Several brands have proprietary ones that they use for cases, dials, and hands, but using new materials for calibers happens far less frequently. Today, TAG Heuer introduces a carbon hairspring as a revolutionary next step in material use for watch movements. The innovative TH-Carbonspring was created in-house by the TAG Heuer Lab. It is the result of a decade of research, innovation, and testing. For this hairspring’s inaugural integration, TAG Heuer selected its two biggest icons and executed them in forged carbon. The first model is the Monaco Flyback Chronograph TH-Carbonspring, and the second is the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring. Let’s check them out.

As most of you know, the Fratello offices are in the Netherlands, and with several Dutch writers on the team, we love to remind ourselves that a fellow Dutchman, Christiaan Huygens, played a pivotal role in the history of modern watchmaking. In 1675, Huygens invented the modern oscillator by pairing a balance wheel and a hairspring. Traditionally, these were made of steel, but that metal is subject to the effects of shocks, temperature changes, and magnetism. That’s why more resistant alloys replaced steel over time. About a quarter century ago, the watch industry began seeing silicon as a material for hairsprings. This low-maintenance non-alloy has highly resistant properties and has become the new standard.

The story of the TAG Heuer TH-Carbonspring oscillator

Now, 350 years after Huygens invented his oscillator, TAG Heuer introduces the TH-Carbonspring. This technical breakthrough is integrated into the calibers powering two new limited-edition watches, the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring and Monaco Flyback Chronograph TH-Carbonspring. It’s logical for TAG Heuer to have picked the Carrera and Monaco for this release since they are the brand’s most iconic watches.

The new TH-Carbonspring, developed completely in-house, was a decade in the making. TAG Heuer Lab was responsible for its research and development. The brand’s recently renamed innovation center also researches new proprietary materials and mechanical innovations. The new TH-Carbonspring combines the two, drastically improving a mechanical watch’s environmental resistance and long-term stability.

Using the new TH-Carbonspring for mechanical watches provides three big advantages. First, the material is amagnetic, meaning that strong magnetic fields do not affect it. Second, it has great shock resistance. Finally, since carbon is lightweight, it reduces inertia in a hairspring, thereby increasing chronometric performance. Along with the TH-Carbonspring, the brand introduces its two iconic models with forged carbon cases. These watches will be available in a limited run of 50 pieces each and come in bespoke packaging suiting the carbon theme. Let’s go over the details of the two models.

TAG Heuer Monaco Flyback Chronograph TH-Carbonspring

Let’s start with the TAG Heuer Monaco Flyback Chronograph TH-Carbonspring. This watch features a 39mm black forged carbon case with a 14.1mm thickness, a 47.4mm lug-to-lug, and a 100m water resistance rating. It even has forged carbon pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock and a forged carbon crown at 3. The case is matched with a beveled and domed sapphire crystal that adds great character to the iconic Monaco. As I said in my review of the Monaco Chronograph Racing Green, I love the sculpture of the Monaco as a design object. It’s a wonderfully angular design with a distinctive shape, but the little design details make it even more interesting to me.

Inside the case lies a forged carbon dial decorated with a spiral reminiscent of a hairspring. The dial also features two black sub-dials with white printing and chapter rings in black gold. A black flange features the 60-second/minute scale printed in white for ultimate contrast.

Hovering over the dial are black-gold-plated hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova. The central chronograph seconds hand and the two small hands for the chronograph counters are lacquered in white, contrasting nicely with the dial and its black sub-dials. Lastly, a small black gold seconds hand and black forged carbon indexes round out the stealthy look in style.

The TH20-60 movement

If you turn the watch around, you will see the in-house TH20-60 caliber. The chronometer-certified automatic flyback chronograph operates at 28,800vph, has 33 jewels, and offers an 80-hour power reserve. As you can see, it features a black skeletonized rotor and a checkered-flag finish for extra visual impact.

The watch comes equipped with a black rubber strap with a fabric-like pattern and matching stitching. It also features a black DLC-coated Grade 2 titanium folding clasp with the TAG Heuer logo. As mentioned, the brand will produce 50 individually numbered examples of this limited edition, which will be available starting December 2025 for CHF 17,000.

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring

The second model is the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring. This stealthy modern version of the legendary Carrera features a 44mm forged carbon case with a 15.4mm profile and a 49.7mm lug-to-lug.

This tourbillon version of the Carrera is water resistant to 100 meters, and just like the Monaco, it features forged carbon pushers and a matching crown. The black forged carbon bezel includes an engraved white tachymeter scale with numerals on the top and small markers on the concave portion.

The forged carbon dial bears the same spiral pattern as the Monaco’s dial. Additionally, it displays chronograph counters at 3 and 9 o’clock and a flying tourbillon at 6. Around the perimeter sits a black flange that holds the applied black carbon hour markers.

Both the indexes and the black gold faceted hour and minute hands are treated with white Super-LumiNova. The two sub-dials feature black gold skeletonized hands with white lacquer on the tips. The white central seconds hand, also treated with Super-LumiNova, makes the rounds once the chronograph is activated. Lastly, the applied rhodium-plated TAG Heuer logo provides a little visual sparkle.

The TH20-61 movement

If you turn the watch around, you will see the in-house TH20-61 caliber through the sapphire window in the black sandblasted DLC Grade 2 titanium case back. The automatic 33-jewel chronograph tourbillon movement is a certified chronometer, operates at 28,800vph, and offers a 65-hour power reserve.

In addition to the full-carbon execution, the caliber’s finishing aligns with Monaco’s movement. It features a black skeletonized rotor and the same checkered pattern. Overall, the caliber suits the watch’s style nicely. Lastly, the stealthy Carrera comes fitted with a black rubber strap and a black DLC-coated Grade 2 titanium folding clasp featuring the TAG Heuer logo. The 50 pieces of the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring will be available starting the first quarter of 2026 for CHF 40,000.

Final thoughts on the carbon TAG Heuer Monaco and Carrera TH-Carbonspring models

Most importantly, these two new releases introduce the new TH-Carbonspring, which could potentially revolutionize the way TAG Heuer produces its future calibers. After all, the new hairspring offers great practical advantages that make it a potential standard for the brand. Additionally, introducing this innovation by unveiling two lightweight carbon models perfectly displays TAG Heuer’s in-house capabilities.

As a result, it will be interesting to see what the brand does next when it comes to rolling out this innovation in its collection. For now, this is an interesting first step that will certainly have people talking. Considering the relevance of these two new timepieces, I don’t doubt that collectors will jump on them as soon as they become available.

You can learn more about the TH-Carbonspring models on TAG Heuer’s website. Also, feel free to let us know what you think of them in the comments.

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