For the first time in its 50-year-old history, the Monaco will be powered by an in-house manufacture movement. That is the highlight of the latest iteration dropped this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the world’s most famous square watch. Meet the TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02.
Launched in 1969 when the company was still known as merely Heuer, it was named after the glamorous French principality of the same name and its links to the Grand Prix. Boasting a couple of firsts ‒ the first square water-resistant time-piece, the first chronograph movement with a micro-rotor (initially called the Chronomatic until the name was dropped after a year) ‒ it remains one of the few watches that can easily be identified across a crowded room.
The stainless-steel Monaco Heuer 02 has a 39 mm wide case that has a mix of polished and brushed surfaces. It is fitted with a box sapphire crystal and has a polished crown and chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 o’ clock. The watch is water-resistant to 100 meters and is fitted with an exhibition caseback.
The dial is a throwback to the early Monaco models. The radiant blue PVD sunray 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 counter hands enhance the sporty design of the watch. The indices and hands are coated with SuperLuminova for enhanced eligibility in low light conditions.
Calibre Heuer 02 is an in-house movement developed and manufactured in Switzerland and was first introduced in the Carrera models in 2017. To fit this movement inside the famous square shape, engineers had to re-engineer the design of the interior of the case. The movement has a traditional column wheel construction and has a power reserve of 80 hours. The red column wheel is visible through the caseback. The watch is paired with a blue alligator leather strap with a folding clasp in stainless steel.
Alongside this new release, the Swiss luxury watchmaker is introducing a final edition of the Calibre 12 movement. The Monaco timepiece is distinguished by a refreshed design and contemporary grey dial. This edition is limited to only 1,000 pieces and is final of the 5 limited editions launched to mark the anniversary this year.
