To mark the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, TAG Heuer releases three innovative takes on the classic Monaco chronograph.
Is there any motor racing event quite like the Monaco Grand Prix? The speed, the glamour, the beautiful people congregates to cheer racers on, the event is unique on the F1 calendar and to make this year’s race, Tag Heuer innovates on one of its most iconic collections.
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A Lauded History
Introduced in 1969, the Tag Heuer Monaco quickly became one of the most iconic watches in history. Its bold, square case design and innovative chronograph functions were unlike anything else on the market then, and quickly became synonymous with the brand, gaining a following among racing enthusiasts and watch lovers alike.
Since its creation, the watch has appeared on the wrists of many racing icons such as Joe Siffert, Jochen Rindt, and a true friend of the brand, Steve McQueen, who famously wore a Tag Heuer Monaco in the 1971 film Le Mans, and whose watch became synonymous with his style.
The Monaco project began when Jack Heuer set out to create a watch that would be visually striking and technologically advanced. The prototype was unveiled in 1969 and featured a square-shaped case, blue dial, and bold chronograph functions. It was paired with a Calibre 11, the first automatic chronograph movement to be offered to the public, and quickly became a favorite of the industry.
The Colours of Racing
Released over 50 years after the birth of the Heuer Monaco, the three new Monaco watches – each with their own unique inspirations – mark the brand’s first use of a skeleton dial within the Monaco collection.
The modern skeleton watch comes in three different dials, “Original Blue”, “Racing Red”, and “Turquoise”, all uncovering a soon-to-be iconic open work. These timepieces were designed to offer an avant-garde interpretation of the racing universe, featuring a vibrant contemporary style intended to resonate with collectors and the youth alike.
Each TAG Heuer Monaco skeleton dial piece has a unique history. The “Original Blue” draws inspiration from the first-ever Tag Heuer Monaco blue dial. The blue and red colours are featured on the dial, the blue on the column wheel and the oscillating mass engravings – an overall design paying homage to the Tag Heuer Monaco 1969 and its original success.
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The “Racing Red” nods to the racing DNA of the Tag Heuer Monaco, with the colour red often referencing the racing sparks made on the tracks. The black and silver colour touches are especially noticeable on the dial, along with the red column wheel and red engravings being visible on the oscillating mass, which completes the racing-inspired feel.
Tradition Meets Innovation
The “Turquoise” piece is the third watch to round-off the collection, offering a fresh and avant-garde take on Tag Heuer’s Monaco design. The engaging turquoise, a little nod to Monaco’s coastline and the red color can be seen specifically on the dial, with the turquoise also being sported on the column wheel and on the engravings of the oscillating mass – which makes this watch definitely stand out from other iconic timepieces.
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The in-house Heuer 02 movement that powers all three timepieces creates a contrast in harmony with the movement of the Tag Heuer Monaco’s original versions in the 1970s. This movement employs a conventional column wheel to activate the chronograph and boasts an 80-hour power reserve, one of the biggest for a chronograph in the watch industry. Moreover, the exquisite finishing of the Heuer 02 is accentuated by an engraved oscillating mass showcased through the sapphire case back.
The new Monaco skeletons are endowed with a technical and rugged appearance thanks to their sandblasted titanium grade 2 case. Being a high- performance material, titanium offers a remarkable blend of strength and lightweight properties while also being corrosion resistant and has become a signature element of the brand.
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The Super-LumiNova treatment on the carved indexes and hands of the watch adds an edgy and futuristic touch to this collection additions. The date window with the same luminous treatment is also a first for the TAG Heuer Monaco, making it easy to read in low-light conditions. The hands are also treated with luminescent elements, which ensures optimum legibility in any conditions, day or night – a detail Jack Heuer always liked to pay attention to.
The new timepieces are presented with an innovative bi-material strap, thoughtfully designed with a combination of rubber and leather for optimal comfort and style and available in black or blue.
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