TAG Heuer Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph Air 1: 3D-Printed Titanium Futurism for an Iconic Square Chronograph

What happens when one of the most recognizable square chronographs in watchmaking collides with cutting-edge 3D metal printing? The answer is the TAG Heuer Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph Air 1, a highly limited, highly controversial showpiece unveiled for Dubai Watch Week 2025. It keeps the familiar Monaco name, but almost everything else feels like a leap into a different era of watch design.

This is not a gentle facelift or a dial-color variation

. It is a full reimagining of the Monaco concept around three pillars: a selective laser melting (SLM) Grade 5 titanium case, a high-frequency split-seconds chronograph movement, and a visual language that deliberately pushes luxury watch aesthetics toward the edge of sci-fi hardware. For some collectors it is a technical dream; for others, an over-the-top statement.

Either way, it is impossible to ignore.

The Monaco, Rewritten for the 2020s

When the original Monaco debuted in 1969, it was rebellious simply for being square, automatic, and openly tied to the world of racing. Over the decades it became a design icon: straight lines, bold edges, and a dial that looked right at home behind the wheel of a race car. For most of its history, TAG Heuer has treated the Monaco with a mix of respect and caution, tweaking details without upsetting the core formula.

The Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph Air 1 breaks with that cautious approach. It embraces the spirit of the original — technical innovation and motorsport DNA — but expresses it in a way that belongs to a world of carbon tubs, electric hypercars and 3D-printed structural parts

. Instead of asking how to preserve the classic Monaco, TAG Heuer asks a different question: if the Monaco were invented today, with modern tools and modern tastes, what would it look like?

Selective Laser Melting: From Titanium Powder to Watch Case

The most radical element is not visible at first glance: it is the way the case is made. The Air 1 uses selective laser melting (SLM), a process that turns powdered metal into solid components layer by layer. Think of it as industrial-grade metal 3D printing.

The case begins as a fine powder of Grade 5 titanium. A machine spreads a thin layer of this powder, then a laser traces the shape of the part, melting only the areas that will become solid metal. Another layer of powder is added, the laser moves again, and the component slowly grows in three dimensions. Once the structure is complete, the unused powder is removed and the raw part is finished by hand and machine: surfaces are blasted, brushed, polished and refined until the case looks and feels like a true luxury object.

Why SLM Matters for High-End Watchmaking

This method unlocks several advantages for a watch like the Monaco Air 1:

• Complex geometry: SLM allows internal hollows, honeycomb lattices, and undercuts that would be extremely difficult or wasteful to mill from a solid block.
• Weight reduction: by removing unnecessary material inside the structure, TAG Heuer keeps the watch to around 85 grams, impressively light for a bold, 41mm square piece.
• Design storytelling: the layered case is not just visual decoration; its construction echoes modern race car chassis and heat-dissipating components.

We are still early in the era of 3D-printed watch cases, but the Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph Air 1 suggests a future where brands design from the inside out, optimizing both aesthetics and structure rather than simply carving shapes out of a block.

Case Design: Layered, Technical and Proudly Polarizing

Visually, the Air 1 is one of the most daring Monacos ever built. The base is a 41mm wide, square Grade 5 titanium case with a matte finish. On top sits an asymmetrical bezel in black DLC-coated titanium, which immediately sharpens the watch's profile and adds a stealthy contrast. Beneath this external frame, TAG Heuer exposes dark honeycomb lattices and slivers of polished 18K yellow gold that peek through like an engine glowing behind ventilation grilles.

Every angle reveals another layer: the main titanium body, the DLC bezel, the inner lattice, and the golden under-structure. It feels less like a flat watch case and more like a compact racing machine, with implied air intakes and vents. The offset grille-like cutouts around eleven and seven o'clock are especially dramatic, opening windows to the gold beneath and giving the watch a kind of mechanical jewelry vibe.

Despite its visual mass, the Air 1 is remarkably light on the wrist thanks to its titanium and hollowed-out architecture. What it is not is particularly robust as a sports tool: water resistance is only 30 meters, enough for everyday life but clearly not the focus. That is consistent with the overall concept — this Monaco is more wearable sculpture than do-everything sports chronograph.

Wrist Presence and Wearability

Square watches always wear a bit larger than their round counterparts, and 41mm is substantial territory. Yet the low weight, short lugs and integrated strap help the Air 1 hug the wrist rather than dominate it. It will not disappear under a cuff, and it is not meant to. On the wrist, it projects exactly what it is: a bold, high-tech conversation piece that leans into the visual drama associated with Dubai and modern luxury culture.

Openworked Dial: Mechanical Theatre Over Pure Legibility

Openworked designs are always a trade-off between readability and spectacle, and the Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph Air 1 clearly chooses spectacle.

The dial is essentially a skeletonized front window into the movement, structured around two sweeping black bridges that anchor the chronograph subdials.

A floating sapphire minutes ring encircles the dial, with printed markings that seem to hover above the mechanics. At the center, needle-style rattrapante chronograph seconds hands share the same axis, ready to split and reunite as the split-seconds function is used. The small seconds display at six o'clock is deliberately minimal and geometric, almost abstract in its design, so it does not compete with the main chronograph drama.

The color palette is largely monochrome — blacks, greys, matte metallic surfaces — punctuated by golden and polished details that echo the case. In certain lighting, the skeletonization absolutely challenges legibility, particularly for quick time checks. But realistically, buyers drawn to this watch are here for the mechanical show and the visual statement as much as, if not more than, strict functionality.

The TH81-00 Rattrapante Movement: High-Frequency Firepower

Beneath the architecture lies the heart of the watch: TAG Heuer's TH81-00 automatic split-seconds chronograph, developed in partnership with movement specialist Vaucher. This is not a generic engine; it is one of the brand's most elevated calibers.

The movement beats at a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz), allowing for smoother chronograph motion and finer measurement. The rattrapante (split-seconds) mechanism adds another layer of complexity, enabling the measurement of intermediate times by stopping one of the central chronograph hands while the other continues. It is one of the most demanding traditional complications to execute cleanly, and one that still marks a watch as firmly high horology.

Through the faceted sapphire caseback, the TH81-00 shows a very different personality than the technical front. Upper bridges feature TAG Heuer's signature checkered-flag pattern brushing, a nod to its racing roots, while dark blasted skeleton bridges sit beneath, revealing depth and negative space. The column wheel that coordinates chronograph functions is fully visible, and a skeletonized rotor with shield motif and honeycomb pattern echoes the case architecture.

Performance figures are equally serious. The TH81-00 offers a 65-hour power reserve in standard running, dropping only to about 55 hours with frequent chronograph use. For a high-frequency, split-seconds movement, that is robust and practical, reinforcing that this engine is more than a showpiece.

Strap and Clasp: Motorsport Textures and Everyday Comfort

To complete the look, TAG Heuer pairs the Air 1 with a black rubber strap that curves fluidly out of the case

. Unlike a plain rubber band, it features sculpted ridges and recessed lines that visually extend the case geometry down the wrist. The real surprise is the addition of three black Alcantara inlays — the same kind of material you find on steering wheels and bucket seats in performance cars.

This combination of rubber and Alcantara gives the strap a dual personality: technical yet tactile, sporty yet luxurious. Securing everything is a butterfly deployant clasp in black DLC-coated Grade 5 titanium, which maintains the watch's lightweight feel while keeping the design language consistent. Taken together, the case and strap make the Air 1 feel less like a traditional watch and more like a fully integrated design object.

Price, Rarity and the Collector Calculus

The Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph Air 1 is limited to just 30 pieces worldwide and priced at CHF 150,000. That price pushes it into the realm of serious independent watchmaking and high complication pieces from the traditional heavyweights. At this level, buyers are not comparing it to a standard steel sports chronograph; they are deciding whether this radical Monaco deserves a slot in a safe already populated with tourbillons, minute repeaters and ultra-rare collaborations.

Who is this for? Probably not for the cautious enthusiast buying their first luxury chronograph. The Air 1 is aimed at collectors who actively seek talking points, who enjoy the idea of wearing a piece that some will call brilliant and others will call excessive. It is as much a signal of TAG Heuer's ambitions in the ultra-luxury space as it is an object to be worn.

The watch is slated to reach select authorized dealers in December 2025, though its tiny production run means most people will only ever see it in photos, at trade fairs, or on the wrist of the occasional bold collector.

Design Controversy: From Lego Jokes to "Flux Capacitor" Comparisons

The Air 1 has also become a lightning rod in watch discussions. Some enthusiasts praise its engineering, calling it the most technically interesting Monaco in years. Others see it as a bridge too far, comparing the case to a luxury Lego build, a sci-fi prop or an ultra-expensive riff on the loud, maximalist watches that mainstream collectors love to mock.

There is truth on both sides. The case architecture, SLM construction, and TH81-00 movement clearly place this Monaco on a higher technical tier. At the same time, the styling is bold enough that it will never be mistaken for a quiet, timeless dress watch. In many ways, that is the point. The Air 1 is TAG Heuer testing just how far it can push the Monaco language while still keeping its core identity intact.

Key Takeaways: TAG Heuer Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph Air 1

• A radical reinterpretation of the classic Monaco using selective laser melting for its Grade 5 titanium case.
• Highly layered aesthetic with black DLC bezel, honeycomb lattices and 18K yellow gold details peeking through.
• Powered by the TH81-00 5 Hz automatic rattrapante chronograph movement with up to 65 hours of power reserve.
• Lightweight at around 85 grams, but with modest 30m water resistance, emphasizing design and technology over pure utility.
• Completed by a motorsport-inspired rubber and Alcantara strap with DLC-coated titanium deployant clasp.
• Limited to 30 pieces at CHF 150,000, targeting advanced collectors and brand loyalists who want something truly out of the ordinary.

FAQ: TAG Heuer Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph Air 1

Is the Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph Air 1 really 3D-printed?

The case of the Air 1 is produced using selective laser melting, a form of metal 3D printing that builds the titanium structure from powdered metal, layer by layer. The resulting part is then extensively finished to reach the level of detail and refinement expected in high-end watchmaking.

How wearable is a 41mm square watch like the Air 1?

Square watches tend to wear larger than round ones, but the Air 1's titanium construction, low weight and integrated strap help it sit comfortably on the wrist. It will definitely have strong presence and may feel too bold for very small wrists, but it is surprisingly manageable for a watch designed to be visually dramatic.

What makes the TH81-00 movement special?

The TH81-00 combines a high 5 Hz frequency with a split-seconds chronograph, one of the most complex traditional complications. It offers a robust power reserve, visible high-end finishing and a modern architectural look. In short, it signals that TAG Heuer is willing to compete in a more serious mechanical league than its entry-level models might suggest.

Is the Monaco Air 1 a good daily watch?

Technically, it could be worn daily: it is light, comfortable and has a solid automatic movement. However, the 30m water resistance and highly exposed, intricate case and dial make it better suited to careful wear. Most owners will likely reserve it for occasions where they actually want people to notice what is on their wrist.

Will the Air 1 become collectible?

No one can predict the future of the secondary market, but on paper the ingredients are there: extreme rarity (30 pieces), a distinctive manufacturing story, a complex movement and a very recognizable design. Whether it becomes a coveted cult piece or remains a niche oddity will ultimately depend on how the watch community's tastes evolve in the coming years.

Love it or loathe it, the TAG Heuer Monaco Split Seconds Chronograph Air 1 proves that the Monaco still has the power to surprise — not by looking backward, but by leaning hard into the future.