SAVOIR FAIRE Everything You Need to Know About the TAG Heuer LAB

Initially founded in 2016 as the TAG Heuer Institute, the LAB began as a scientific research entity within the company. In early 2025, it evolved into the TAG Heuer LAB, marking a shift from applied research to innovation-led development. Today, the TAG Heuer LAB is where idea-driven innovations are refined for integration into the Swiss Maison’s most advanced timepieces with precision and intent.

From groundbreaking materials like TH-Titanium to proprietary regulating organs such as the TH-Carbonspring oscillator, the TAG Heuer LAB’s focus lies in advancing chronometry, durability, and performance-enhancing innovations. Its ambition is not only to improve what exists but to challenge long-standing paradigms in watchmaking—creating paradoxical blends like ultra-light yet ultra-resistant cases or complications that merge tradition and cutting-edge performance.

Innovations are led in-house, driven by a deep understanding of TAG Heuer’s avant-garde DNA and the team’s vigilant monitoring of high-tech sectors. Each project must answer a central question: Why does this innovation belong in a TAG Heuer watch? If the answer isn’t clear, the project doesn’t go forward. This philosophy ensures that every advancement is not only inventive but also meaningful and purposeful.

Over the past five years, the TAG Heuer LAB has filed around a dozen patents, including those covering the TH-Carbonspring   developments. Its technologies have underpinned milestone releases like the TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph and the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport. Results from these innovations have also been shared in scientific conferences—prioritising patent protection over publication.

Yes. Collaboration is a central part of the TAG Heuer LAB’s approach. Over the years, it has partnered with renowned institutions such as EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), CSEM (Centre Suisse d’Électronique et de Microtechnique), and HE-Arc (Haute École Arc Ingénierie). The LAB also works with selected start-ups and international technology companies. These partnerships allow TAG Heuer to explore breakthrough technologies that have not yet entered the watchmaking mainstream.

The TH-Carbonspring, the Maison’s in-house carbon-composite hairspring developed through nine years of R&D, marks only the first step in a broader development roadmap. The TAG Heuer LAB is actively working on scaling this technology further. On the materials front, efforts are already underway to explore enhanced alloys beyond TH-Titanium, as well as unconventional forming techniques for lightweight metals. The LAB is also exploring next-generation materials, including new alloys and unconventional forming techniques for lightweight metals. Looking ahead, the LAB is developing complete watch concepts that combine these innovations—materials, technologies, and production processes—into fully integrated designs.