SAVOIR FAIRE The Carbon Pulse of Precision

In 1675, Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens transformed watchmaking with a groundbreaking innovation innovation: the hairspring. This slender spiral, joined to the balance wheel, became the regulating organ of mechanical timekeeping, ensuring that every oscillation beats at a precise frequency. The invention made portable, accurate watches a reality — a heartbeat for every mechanical movement that followed.

Three and a half centuries later, the principle remains unchanged, yet the demands of modern watchmaking have never been greater. For TAG Heuer, whose Avant-Garde Horlogerie unites tradition with relentless innovation, the hairspring was not a component to preserve untouched, but a frontier to conquer.

At the heart of its performance is the unique nature of carbon-composite. Remarkably light, the TH-Carbonspring offers exceptional chronometry, responding with agility and precision to every oscillation. Its amagnetic structure shields it from the invisible interference of magnetic fields, while exceptional shock resistance safeguards stability even in the harshest conditions. Temperature fluctuations pose no threat to its accuracy, ensuring unwavering timekeeping wherever it travels. To unlock its full potential, TAG Heuer pairs the TH-Carbonspring with a dedicated aluminum balance wheel, fitted with gold inserts for temperature compensation. Together, they form a perfectly tuned regulating organ.

The TH-Carbonspring’s creation begins with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) inside a high-temperature chamber, where hydrocarbon gases decompose at 600–850°C on a metallic catalyst layer. This controlled reaction builds a delicate 3D carbon scaffold, atom by atom. Each batch is crafted through a tailor-made cycle lasting up to eight hours, optimised for precision and durability.

Once formed, every hairspring undergoes rigorous visual inspection and mechanical testing to measure stiffness and integrity. Only the finest pass TAG Heuer’s exacting standards before being paired with their bespoke balance wheel. The entire process, from concept to final assembly, is performed entirely in-house at the TAG Heuer LAB.

In 2025, the innovative TH-Carbonspring technology is introduced in two remarkable Avant-Garde Horlogerie timepieces: the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring and the TAG Heuer Monaco Flyback Chronograph TH-Carbonspring. Both models embody the spirit of innovation that defines TAG Heuer’s high-end watchmaking vision.

In the relentless pursuit of performance, even the smallest component can drive the greatest leap forward. In the hands of TAG Heuer, the hairspring’s pulse now beats in carbon. A new heart for the future of precision.