TAG Heuer Monaco V4 Hands-On Review

In 2004, Tag Heuer presented an original watch, the V4.

Since 2004, we were impatiently waiting to see the final version of this watch.

It is now done!

In November, and till the end of this year, Tag Heuer will deliver the first 100 pieces worldwide, while in 2010, the last fifty watches ( LE of 150 pieces ) will arrive.

The revolution? 5 Transmission belts are used instead of the conventional pignons, which complement 11 Micro Ball Bearings..

2 of them have an Internal Steel Structure.

They are 0, 07 mm large, which corresponds to the size of an Human Hair.

To give you an idea of the required work behind this watch, I've been told that 14 200 Days of Research and Developments were spent, and that TAG Heuer worked on this project in collaboration with the C.N.R.S ( the Centre National De Recherche Scientifique ), and that a Master Horologer needs 165 Hours to put the 259 pieces of the movement together.

That been said, let's have a look on this watch.

The Monaco looks like a Concept Watch .

And it is!

The look of the V4 makes echo with the original technology used in it.



Here, no dial, or better said, an open dial, with a technical look, a bit cold, but strong and original, with three blue hands, to give some contrast and to assure an easy reading of the hour.

You immediately know that you have somehting very different under the eyes!

Did you notice the 4 Vs?

There is a lot to see and to admire in this dial.

The geometry and the finish of the surface of the bridges, the different levels, the anglages, the polished screws, all these details are not only eye catchers, but also light catchers!





Let's " dive " into the dial to better see the finish, and to admire the play of the different geometrical shapes:



Do you see the transmission belts?

Here, a view on the anglage, and on the finish of the plates:



A closer look on the belts:



And here, on the belts used for the barrels:



A complete macro view of the movement:



Not bad, eeeeh?

About the case, I'd say that we have a modern re interpretation ( almost futuristic ) of the Monaco, as we know it.

I felt that the V4 is less square, more rectangular than a Classic Monaco.





The lugs are longer, more visible, more elegant than on the Vintage, IMO.

While the case is more angular, but also, in a certain way, sweater...

I like a lot the crown, too.

I much appreciate less the engraving " Tag Heuer " on the case, as, in my opinion, it was not necessary, as it is already written on the dial...



The volumes are reasonnable, and homogene, too.

The glass is bombed and bevelled, and it enhances the technical look of the watch, which is a good thing.

Indeed, I wouldn't see a common flat sapphire on such a watch, it would ruin the geometry of the case...



The case back is maybe less spectacular, but the originality is still here!

The belts are used to make the relation between the barrels, and instead of a conventiona rotor, Tag Heuer used an original rectangular mass, made in Tungstene, which weights 12 grams, which goes up and down, to " feed " the barrels.





Doesn't it look like the motor of a car?

As a coincidence, it makes me think a bit about the Freak...

The movement is exposed on the dial side, when the barrels are located on the case back side.



To wear it is a pleasant experience, indeed

While I always had problems with the " normal " Monaco ( I always wanted one, but when I put it on my wrist, I was always deceived ), in this case, with the V 4, things are much more different.

The general volumes of this watch, the fact that it is less squarred, more rectangular, the longer lugs maes it much more pleasant to wear.

Not too thick, nor too big, the presence on the wrist is undisputable as well as the comfort, without being too " show off ".

One thing I couldn't check is the weight, as the V4 I tested was the proto.

To be clear, the only thing which will change on the definitive watch will be the metal of the case.

Here, I tried the proto in SS, while the V4 will be only made in platinum.

The difference of weight will be very important, as the platinum watch will weight something like ...170 grams!

So, what to think?

You already got it, I'm convinced for its aesthetical qualities, and for its originality.

The finish, although correct, could have been even better for such a pricey watch, but it is more an interesting concept watch, to me, than a piece of High Horology.

I would have preferred no " Tag Heuer " engravings on the case, and a longer power reserve, which is 52 hours, and which seems a bit too conventional for such an unusual watch.

The bigger problem is the price, as the V4 will cost 70 000 Euros.

Of course, the development of this watch took a lot of time, as I've said at the beginning of this post, but it is an unusually high price for a Tag Heuer watch.

Despite all its qualities, it may be a problem for this very tempting watch...

Best to All,

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-10-27 01:01:05 This message has been edited by MTF on 2009-10-28 20:30:05