TAG Heuer rounds out the Monaco’s 50th anniversary celebration with a refreshed design and a technological first for the iconic square watch. Throughout 2019, TAG Heuer celebrated the 50th anniversary of the legendary Monaco timepiece with a series of special-edition releases and events around the world. The latest launch sees the Monaco with not only an updated appearance, but a technological first as well. For the first time in its half-century history, the Monaco is powered by an in-house manufacture movement. This is accompanied by a limited-edition model equipped with a final edition of the Calibre 12 movement, featuring a refreshed design and contemporary grey dial.
MONACO HEUER 02
In 2017, TAG Heuer launched the Heuer 02 movement, developed and manufactured in-house, as an evolution of its predecessor, Heuer 01, which debuted in 2009. When designing the Heuer 02, the aim was to create a thinner movement with an increased power reserve that exhibited the same timekeeping precision as the Heuer 01.
The result is a sophisticated in-house innovation that boasts a power reserve of 80 hours (30 hours more than the Heuer 01); a thickness reduced from 7.3mm to just 6.95mm; improved accuracy and functionality thanks to a column wheel; and enhanced precision of the start-and-stop functions by virtue of a vertical clutch, meaning that there is no loss of time when using the chronograph function.
Arranged in a tri-compax style, most notably found in the original TAG Heuer Carrera models from the 1960s, the Heuer 02 counters are positioned further apart from each other, allowing for larger subdials and better legibility. Though it is not a modular chronograph movement, it has been designed in a way that allows extensions to be added to the movement’s functionality.
Today, this important automatic chronograph movement is available inside a Monaco case. Because of the watch’s unique square shape, the watchmakers at TAG Heuer had to re-engineer the interior of the case to house the calibre. In addition to this change, the new Monaco also features a slightly revamped dial, which is clearly inspired by early Monaco models. It is also different from the Calibre 11 Monaco design, which features the crown on the left side of the case due to the construction of its movement.
The stainless-steel Monaco Heuer 02 introduces a radiant blue PVD sunray dial that is complemented by a navy alligator leather strap with navy stitching. The dial features updated silver opaline counters at 3 and 9 o’clock, eight tri-faceted indexes and a new permanent second indicator above the date at 6 o’clock. Red accents on the central seconds hand and chronograph hands enhance the sporty design of the watch. The slim Heuer 02 movement provides the watch with an impressive power reserve of 80 hours. By integrating this movement into the Monaco, TAG Heuer has combined one of its most iconic products with its most advanced in-house watchmaking expertise.
MONACO CALIBRE 12 FINAL EDITION
In contrast to the movement that initially equipped the Monaco, Calibre 11, the Calibre 12 gave the renowned timepiece a sleek, traditional appearance, because it required the crown to be on the right side of the case, as opposed to the left side as with Calibre 11.
Now, TAG Heuer introduces the last Calibre 12 Monaco model in a stunning grey dial. Outfitted with a classic black alligator leather strap, this stainless-steel model features a vertically brushed ruthenium dial. As part of the platinum group, ruthenium lends a dynamic iridescent colour that changes in different shades of light. The smooth black opaline counters at 3 and 9 o’clock offer a refined contrast to the brushed dial. The central seconds hand, 12 o’clock index, and the tips of the hour and minute hands feature a hint of red, an eye-catching feature that enhances the watch’s timeless yet modern style. As the final edition of the Monaco Calibre 12, only 1,000 pieces of this model exist and the stainless-steel case-back of each watch is engraved with its limited-edition number.
