Tag Heuer are no strangers to the most prestigious of chronograph complications, the haute horology split-seconds chrono. They debuted a unique piece Split-Seconds Monaco in 2023 before launching a full collection in 2024 and then the Air edition last year. Now though, they’re moving the split-seconds to the Carrera series for the first time with the new Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph.
Out of the gate, this feels like a match made in heaven. The combination of case and split-seconds display is much more harmonious than the Monaco editions have ever been, at least in my opinion. With the Monaco there’s a sort of awkward quality to the dial’s architecture because the display is openworked with empty space in the corners where the round scales don’t fill out the square design – but with the Carrera there is no empty space. It’s much more compact and therefore cleaner.
Though while I say the dial is compact, the watch itself is actually on the large side of things at a 42mm diameter in grade 5 titanium. Chronographs tend to be bigger by design in order to allow the dial to be as large as possible to improve legibility while at the same time fitting the sporty, tool watch vibe that pairs well with the motorsport theme. The point on readability is doubly true of a split-seconds (aka rattrapante) display where there are two chronograph seconds hands working together to time separate events such as two racers in a single race or multiple laps.
Here the two chronograph hands are presented in white and red to make it easy to differentiate them while tying into the sporty look of the piece. The red is balanced by matching accents on the 12-hour and 30-minute subdials as well as around the 60-minute scale and on the stitching of the strap. The white then matches the timing scales as well as the bright lumed portions of the hour markers and hour and minute hands. The rest of the display is taken over by the grey of the openworked display and black of the tachymeter bezel.
Powering the Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph is the TH81-01 with 65-hour power reserve without the chrono active or 55-hour with. It’s also a hi-beat movement operating at 5Hz. You can view it through the exhibition caseback with its checker flag style finish and openworked rotor.
It’s listed as price on request but judging from the existing Monaco Split-Seconds range, expect it to be around the £100,000 mark. It is the most prestigious form of haute horological chronograph after all.
Price and Specs:
More details at Tag Heuer.
