But instead of a regular oscillating weight, it has a tungsten mass that travels on a linear, double-track rail, moving up and down to wind the watch. Like the original V4, the Monaco V4 Tourbillon is automatic. On the other hand, a belt transmission system requires more numerous and larger gears, resulting in an enormous complex mechanism, which is why the first V4 took years to get from prototype to final product. Though a belt transmission has a marginally lower efficiency compared to a well-lubricated gear system at the very start, over time the belt transmission will maintain its efficiency, while a traditional gear-based mechanism will deteriorate due to the break-down of its lubrications. The gear train and the tourbillon at left, linked by beltsĪnother advantage of the belts is that they are lubrication free. In contrast, the Monaco V4 Tourbillon rotates smoothly, once a minute, due to the seamless motion of the belt transmission. This eliminates the backlash present on a regular tourbillon which stems from the meshing of the teeth in its gears, which results in its ever so slightly jerky motion. Theīecause of the tension in the belts, there is no play between the gears as in a conventional gear train.
The smallest belt is just 0.07 mm in width, about the width of a hair. With a movement comprised of 214 components, the Monaco V4 Tourbillon extends the belt transmission all the way to the tourbillon, with the tourbillon cage itself connected to a belt that drives it.įour belts made of an elastic polymer are used in the Monaco V4 Tourbillon, three for the gear train and one to link the barrels. It took six years to get to a working, commercially available wristwatch, but TAG Heuer has now integrated a tourbillon into the movement, creating the world’s first belt-driven tourbillon, the Monaco V4 Tourbillon. It had tiny belts to transmit the torque from the barrel, instead of conventional gears. By the way, the name V4 derives from the movement’s four barrels, which are mounted on a V-shaped main plate angled at 15 degrees, like cylinders in a high-end racing engine.Ten years ago TAG Heuer presented the world’s first belt-driven watch, the Monaco V4. Maybe it’s a matter of liking the design? Personally i really like both the design and the revolutionary techniques of the V4. Unfortunately, like more revolutionary ideas, the Monaco V4 was greeted with mixed emotions. And it’s movement will have a COSC qualified movement with three-day power reserve!! Nice… TAG Heuer, very nice!! TAG Heuer Monaco V4 Concept Watch TAG Heuer plans to present this watch as part of the regular collection in a few years. Especially now i know the belts are only 0.5 mm thick, while a human hair from the head measures around the 0.9 mm.
Now that sounds interesting, doesn’t? I’m blown away by this incredible and revolutionary idea. For the rotating parts, ceramic roller bearings are used instead of the standard synthetic rubies. A gear system engages a cog and then translates the linear movement into a rotating movement. The four barrels are aligned two-by-two and are linked by a V-shaped bridge (hence the name of the model) and angled at 15° with respect to the dial. The oscillating weight traditionally used to wind an automatic watch has been replaced by a linear oscillating weight that moves along a track between the watch’s four spring barrels.
#TAG HEUER MONACO V4 SERIES#
The pinions of the traditional movement are replaced with a series of toothed drive belts.
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