Swiss luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer has released a new rendition of its classic Monaco Chronograph in Racing Blue.
The new limited edition timepiece is a fresh take on the iconic square racing chronograph and celebrates the brand’s rich history connected to competition cars by featuring hues of blue paying tribute to the emblematic French Racing Blue.
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TAG Heuer has always been among the timekeepers most closely associated with racing, and the Monaco collection, which earned a loyal following when it launched in 1969 with its eye-catching water-resistant square case and Calibre 11 movement, is an embodiment of this ideal.
For many, the TAG Heuer Monaco will also long be associated with actor Steve McQueen who, in 1970, while filming Le Mans, decided to wear the same racing suit and watch as the professional driver and personal trainer, Jo Siffert. By doing so, he aimed to embody the role of an authentic racing driver, and he quickly became a style icon in his own right, proudly sporting a Heuer Monaco timepiece.
In the early days of motor racing, cars were distinguished by their national colours rather than manufacturer or sponsor liveries. Each country had its own specific hues, such as the renowned British racing green, the vibrant Italian red, Germany’s initial use of white before transitioning to silver, and the unmistakable shade of blue associated with the French.
The new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue features a tone that evokes the colours sported by esteemed automotive brands like Talbot-Lago, Delage and, last but not least, the famous Bugatti Type 35. The subsidiary dials and strap come in a gamut of azure tones, while the indexes are presented in a lighter shade. The watch features striking lime yellow accents that add a fresh touch to the timepiece, perfectly complementing the colour palette of the model.
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The watch boasts a stunning silvered sunray brushed dial reminiscent of the engine-turned dashboard seen in sports cars in the 1920s and 1930s. The dial is adorned with eight applied, silvered hour markers and 12 blue dot markers, facilitating effortless time reading. Notably, a faceted baton marker at 12 o’clock features a vibrant yellow stripe, serving as a direct connection to the chronograph’s central hand.
The hour and minute hands are enhanced with blue Super-LumiNova for excellent visibility in all lighting conditions. Complementing this, the lacquered central hand in lime yellow, which adds a pop of colour. Collectively, these design elements harmonize the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue, creating a striking timepiece that captures the spirit of the automotive world.
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The watch is powered by the Calibre 11 automatic chronograph movement, encased within a sandblasted grade 2 titanium casing, giving both robustness and lightness to it, and features a sapphire caseback, allowing a glimpse into the movement inside.
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