Introducing the TAG Heuer Special Edition Monaco
On the weekend of the Monaco Grand Prix, Tag Heuer launches a special edition that celebrates its iconic Monaco watch whose roots are deeply linked to speed. For now, it is certain, that this year or at least the first half of the year, it is linked by numerous and successive launches of watches linked directly or indirectly to the queen of speed race, with the last three races of the calendar coinciding with the launch of three chronographs – Miami with the launch of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team”, Barcelona with the launch of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph Aston Martin F1 Edition and now Monaco with the launch of the TAG Heuer Special Edition Monaco, will be a reason to ask which gentleman is next?
The iconic model launched in 1969, with a square case was one of the first automatic chronographs to appear and the first square chronograph to feature water resistance, but above all a watch that would become notable for having been worn by the iconic Steve McQueen. And although the colour was almost always a must on the Monaco watch in the ’70s, with lots of oranges, red and blue accents, a general trend throughout the industry of that time, TAG Heuer launched a “limited” edition of its Monaco chronograph called the “Dark Lord”, distinguished by its black PVD-coated case.
The new TAG Heuer Special Edition Monaco now released is inspired by the 70’s “Dark Lord” model and very similar to the original. Inevitably starting with the black squared case, although the materials are completely different, with the original PVD stainless steel case now being replaced by a titanium DLC coating (diamond-like-carbon) case, another difference is the fact that the crown and buttons pushers now come with black coating matching the case while in the original “Dark Lord” they came in uncoated steel.
It is in the black dial that we can find a more contemporary design while maintaining similarities with the original from the 70s, with the new Monaco presenting two different surfaces, with the circle in the centre with a satin-brushed finish and the exterior with a sandblasted grained finish, which reflects the grip of the tires and track.
The new Monaco in addition to the two counters of the original now adds a small seconds at the 6 o’clock position. The previous painted gold hour markers on the dial are now replaced by applied gold markers that extend across the textured outer layer and match the central hour and minute hands, which are filled with Super-LumiNova just like the hour dots on the dial along the minute track.
Inside is powered by the in-house automatic movement Heuer 02, a column-wheel chronograph, which offers an impressive 80 hours of power reserve, which can be seen through the sapphire case back and in which the rose gold plated oscillating mass stands out.
The watch is offered with a black alligator leather strap with a black-coated titanium buckle, which can be purchased at the brand’s official boutiques and authorized retailers for a price of €7,750.
Our Opinion
The new TAG Heuer Monaco Special Edition is undoubtedly a more elegant and classic alternative to the steel original with colourful accents. The option for the titanium case, as well as the option for different surfaces on the dial and gilt accents, give it a more contemporary design, preserving the classic lines of the original and that’s why we liked the final result.
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General Specifications:
Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Special Edition Monaco
Reference: CBL2180.FC6497
Dial: Black
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Case Material: Black DLC titanium grade 2
Case Dimensions: 39 mm Diameter
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Sapphire Glass
Water Resistance: 100 Meters
Strap: Black alligator leather strap with a black-coated titanium buckle
Caliber: Heuer 02
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Jewels: 33
Frequency: 28,800 Vph
Power Reserve: 80 Hours
Price: € 7,750
Limited Edition: No
