TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green Watch Review
The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green, limited to 1000 pieces, adopts verdant hues with its green chronograph counters and matching calfskin strap. Housed in a 39 mm case formed of sunbrushed Grade 2 titanium, the model embraces modernity while simultaneously upholding the styling of the inaugural reference, first released in 1969.Â
TAG Heuer Monaco
A few months ago, I decided to order a new car. Nothing beats, perusing the available options and considering the various colours on offer. The choice of paintwork was somewhat limited. Metallic black looks wonderful in a showroom, but soon looks dirty once on the open road. I felt the petrol blue option looked old-fashioned and was better suited to someone 20 years my senior, while the flat grey hue resembled paint primer, a shade devoid of life. In the end, I opted for silver and having driven the car for a number of weeks, I have no regrets.
The reason for my longwinded introduction is that different colours suit different cars. In many cases, the same can be said about watches; however, the TAG Heuer Monaco (formerly the Heuer Monaco) proves the exception.
Heuer Monaco depuis 1969
Back in 1969, the Heuer Monaco united the first self-winding chronograph movement with the first water-resistant square-shaped case. This pioneering, Swiss avant-garde watch initially featured a dark blue dial with a metallic finish. Dark greys and blacks would appear later. But then, with the advent of the quartz crisis of the 70s, production of the Heuer Monaco ceased (circa 1975).
Later, in 1997, with the renaissance of mechanical watchmaking in full flight, the Swiss marque chose to revive its legendary Monaco model. The dial, a circle within a square, has since been dressed in an array of hues. Moreover, the firm headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, has released new expressions of Monaco ownership such as skeleton dials and new movements, including an über-complicated Split-Seconds Chronograph.
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue (2023)
As mentioned earlier, unlike my new car and the majority of watches, the TAG Heuer Monaco has never been colour sensitive. Over the years, the watch brand has dressed the dial of the Monaco in a plethora of hues with each variant wearing its chosen colourway with a notable degree of style. Last year, the Swiss firm released the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue, a limited edition of 1000 pieces.
Housed in a 39 mm case, formed of sandblasted Grade 2 titanium, this model incorporated several Monaco design features, including the square counters at 3 and 9 o’clock (with rounded corners) and the horizontal indexes denoting the hours. The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue featured the crown at 9 o’clock, a design feature that dates back to 1969 and the original Calibre 11 movement. Most notably, the dial of this limited edition model sported blue counters, a silver dial and lime-yellow accents.
Image – custom designed packaging for the new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green – new for 2024
Now, there is a new limited edition for 2024, the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green. Again, limited to 1000 pieces, the watch shares much in common with last year’s Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue. The same case, the same modern-day Calibre 11 (see later) and the same Monaco dial topography, but with the fitment of green counters. Once again, the dial is silver and incorporates soupçons of yellow. Presented on a perforated green calfskin strap, the watch evokes thoughts of historical racing cars.
Back in 1902, the Gordon Bennett Cup, a race from Paris to Innsbruck saw French and British cars vie with one another in the pursuit of glory. Blue de France and British Racing Green denoted the nationality of the competing car. Later, additional hues were allocated to competing nations, namely red (Italy), silver (Germany) and yellow (Belgium). It seems colour has always conveyed meaning. And nothing says racing quite like the Heuer Monaco.
TAG Heuer Calibre 11
Codenamed ‘Project 99’, the first self-winding movement was a collaborative effort of four companies: Breitling, Buren, Dubois Dépraz and Heuer. This early movement used a micro-rotor to energise the mainspring.
The architecture of this movement prevented Heuer placing the crown in the customary position of 3 o’clock, hence early Monaco models featured the crown at 9 o’clock. Jack Heuer, the consummate marketing professional, turned this into a point of differentiation. The adverts at the time stated, ‘We moved the winding crown from the right to the left to remind you this chronograph never needs winding.’ Brilliant!
The modern-day Calibre 11 features a full-size oscillating weight and has a power reserve of 40 hours. While the crown could have been placed on the right flank of the case without any problems, the creative team at TAG Heuer HQ has chosen to uphold tradition and place it on the left side of the case, just like in Jack’s adverts.
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green – closing remarks
Since it burst onto the watch scene in 1969, the Heuer Monaco has always stood out from the crowd. Its distinctive case shape and the circle within a square dialscape are just two of several design features beloved by horophiles.
Steve McQueen famously wore a Monaco (ref 1133B) in the film Le Mans and the watch has long since been associated with the mega-luxurious principality on the Cote d’Azur, home to the Monaco Grand Prix. Perhaps it is this racing heritage that inspired the Swiss Maison to embrace British Racing Green on this occasion.
One thing is certain, TAG Heuer has shown that when it comes to the Monaco, irrespective of the colour selected, the watch always looks optimally hued.
Further reading
https://www.tagheuer.com
Technical specifications
- Model: TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green
- Reference: CAW218E.FC6565
- Case: Grade 2 Titanium, diameter 39mm, water resistance 10 ATM (100 metres); sapphire crystal to the front and exhibition caseback
- Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
- Movement: Calibre 11 automatic, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), power reserve 40 hours
- Strap: blue perforated calfskin strap with Grade 2 titanium folding clasp with double safety pushbuttons
- Price – £8,150 (RRP as of 19.9.2024)
- Limited Edition: 1000 pieces