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Racing enthusiasts and lovers of bold, innovative watches will be thrilled with the new special edition of the iconic Monaco chronograph - a dramatic watch inspired by a legendary Monaco of the 1970s and constructed of DLC-coated titanium. Demonstrating the bold innovation of the TAG Heuer Monaco, this exclusive chronograph captures the mystique of one of the brand’s most iconic collections. From its introduction in 1969, the TAG Heuer Monaco chronograph has challenged every aspect of watchmaking with its fearless innovation. In an era when there were only handwound chronographs, the Monaco was one of the first automatic chronographs. Rather than the traditional black or white used for dials, the Monaco was painted a brilliant blue, which is made even bolder by the bright white registers and red accents. But the most radical innovation was the Monaco’s shape. Going against a tradition of virtually all chronographs being round, the Monaco was square, and the first to be housed in a waterproof case. The “Monaco” name itself captured the duality of the watch, reflecting the unmatched luxury of the principality, contrasted with the danger of the legendary Formula 1 race. Now, over 50 years after the introduction of the Monaco, TAG Heuer has released a special edition of the legendary watch. The
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newest piece incorporates today’s most innovative materials and engineering to offer enthusiasts the ultimate version of what the original Monaco “Dark Lord” might have been. The case of the latest addition to the Monaco line-up is executed in Grade 2 titanium, coated with DLC. TAG Heuer used titanium for the construction of only one previous Monaco chronograph, the Titan model offered as a Limited Edition in 2021 and worn by Max Verstappen as his “lucky charm” during his 2021 Formula 1 World Championship campaign, which has already become highly coveted by collectors. Of course, the use of titanium for chronographs was unknown in the 1970s, with Heuer first using the material in the early 1980s. This year’s special edition marks the first use of black-coated titanium for a Monaco chronograph. The DLC coating provides deep, rich colour that will stand up to its intended use as the racer’s tool, with the case sandblasted to produce a grained finish. Advances in coatings now allow the durable black coating to be used not only on the case, but also on the crown, pushers and caseback. The dial offers a radically new celebration of the Monaco’s “circle in the square” geometry, being constructed of two separate pieces, with contrasting finishes. The circle at the centre of the tagheuer.com
