What We Know
If there’s a top icon in the current TAG Heuer line-up, it’s most certainly the Monaco Chronograph. Launched in 1969 and immortalized on the wrist of Steve McQueen in the 1971 racing film Le Mans, the Monaco has been a focal point of the catalog since its return in 1997. The Monaco’s bold and sharp, square case shape has always been its defining feature – and its biggest challenge.
With that in mind, TAG is, today, relaunching the Monaco Chronograph with a redesigned case shape crafted in Grade 5 titanium, the brand says is a marked improvement in ergonomics and wearability. The new chronograph also leans more assuredly into the original model’s unique characteristics in its dial design and layout.
Available in three versions, a black dial with rose gold bezel and titanium case, a green dial version, and finally, a rendition inspired by the blue, white and red of the Ref.1133 that McQueen sports in Le Mans. The new Monaco retains the same 39mm case diameter from the most recent version. That, however, is where the similarities end, the brand says as the case shape has been overhauled and refashioned to enhance comfort, style and wearability. Angular sharp edges have been emphasized and the crystal is more square than rectangular. The case sides are extended with curves and the caseback has been reduced in area with its centre sloping toward the edges of the case.
In total, these reimagined elements of the case make the Monaco more balanced and easier to wear, TAG says. Meanwhile the crown’s non-traditional position on the left of the case, a relic of the original movement design, has been reinforced and confirmed.
The dial layouts have been tweaked, too, with text application and design improvements aiding legibility. Inside is the TH20-11, a new in-house caliber based on its TH20-00, and refashioned for the Monaco’s bicompax running seconds and 30-minute totalizer layout with the distinct date aperture at 6 o’clock. TAG says the movement has been dubbed the TH20-11 in tribute to the Caliber 11 that powered the original model. With an 80-hour power reserve and an extended 5-year warranty, the Monaco’s new in-house movement suggests a quality upgrade from what came before.
The black dial version with rose gold bezel is priced at $13,050, while the green dial and blue dial versions are $9,350.
What We Think
This isn’t the Monaco model that’s going to get all the attention at Watches and Wonders. That would be the Evergraf – with its original new movement that Mark went in-depth with here. That doesn’t mean this new and (slightly) improved base Monaco should be overlooked. The green dial version with black subdials is an unexpected and handsome color choice. It elevates the watch from its racing roots ever so slightly and might even pass muster as evening wear under a cuff.
To be sure, these are incremental improvements to the base Monaco chronograph in the catalog, and they are welcome. However, we don’t know by how much, if at all, the brand has managed to whittle down the 15mm case thickness of the previous version. We didn’t get a chance to measure these models in person before launch day, and the brand hasn’t disclosed that statistic in its press materials. Pricing has also increased with the new models, up from about $8,500 for some of the previous versions listed on TAG Heuer’s website.
Regardless, upgrades are rarely a bad thing, and anything that gets the Monaco closer to its iconic original form is a move in the right direction.
The Basics
Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Monaco Chronograph
Reference Number: CDW2150.FC8360, CDW2180.FC8360, CDW2181.FC8360
Diameter: 39mm
Thickness:
Case Material: Grade 5 titanium
Dial Color: Black opalin dial with 60 second/minute scale, Green sunrayed brushed, Blue opalin dial with 60 second/minute scale
Indexes: Applied rose gold or rhodium-plated, facetted, fine brushed, and polished
Lume: Hands, indexs, minute track
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Black calf skin perforated leather strap, polished titanium grade 5 folding clasp with double safety push-
buttons
The Movement
Caliber: Caliber TH20-11
Functions: Hour, minutes, running seconds, chronograph, seconds hand, 30-minute totalizer
Power Reserve: 80 hours
Winding: Self-winding, automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Jewels: 31
Chronometer Certified: No
Pricing & Availability
Price: $13,050 (black dial with rose gold bezel) $9,350 (green dial and blue dial)
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No
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