Monaco Grand Prix

M O N A C O

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 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

dial has a satin brushed circular finish, reflecting the speed and smoothness of racing. The exterior of the dial offers a dramatic contrast, being sandblasted to create a grained finish. This grained finish reflects the grip of the tyres and track, offering the perfect run-off to transition from the dial to the case. The chronograph registers have a black opalin finish, offering the perfect backdrop for the deep red chronograph hour and minute hands.

The rose gold used for the hands and markers provides another update of the Monaco chronographs of the 1970s. While the hue of the luminous paint used for the markers and hands of the original Monaco “Dark Lord” would change over the years, the gold accents of the newest Monaco will shine for eternity. The deep black of the dial is complemented by the gold of the markers and hour and minute hands. The hands are also treated with Super- LumiNova® which ensures optimum legibility in any conditions, day or night.

Beyond its luxurious appearance, the gold elements of this piece create a glorious bridge to Heuer’s unique racing legacy of the 1970s, reminding us of the gold Carrera chronographs that Jack Heuer presented to leading professional racers and friends of the Heuer brand.

The in-house Heuer 02 movement that powers the newest Monaco provides another remarkable contrast to the movements that powered the original Monaco chronographs of the 1970s. Utilising a traditional column wheel to actuate the chronograph and offering an 80-hour power reserve, the beautiful finishing of the Heuer 02 is topped with a rose gold-plated oscillating mass and proudly displayed through the sapphire caseback. The Monaco is mounted on a black alligator leather strap that is fitted with a black-coated titanium buckle.

RE-Volt C42

Official Timekeeper of Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN, Rebellion Timepieces, unveils two special series dedicated to Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu during the Monaco F1 Grand Prix. Each model, limited to 50 pieces, incorporates a part of the drivers’ car. Purchasers will have the opportunity to visit the Sauber Motorsport HQ factory, as well as Rebellion Motors and Timepieces, and will be presented with their watches by the drivers themselves during an exclusive dinner.

. High-tech case in colored carbon . Rebellion Timepieces hand-wound caliber . Inspired in every detail by Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu . Two limited series of 50 pieces . A unique experience for clients: the watches will be handed over by the drivers themselves

The 79th Grand Prix organized on the legendary Monaco circuit in the heart of the principality played host to the launch of two exceptional watches, allegories of adrenaline, of the race, of daring exploits, from Rebellion Timepieces. Partner of the Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN since the beginning of the season, the Swiss luxury watch brand has presented the two limited editions in the colours of the team’s drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.

This pairing with Swiss origins shares the DNA of the passion for motor racing. Since 2018, a partnership links Sauber and Alfa Romeo. Since 1993, Sauber Motorsport, created by the eponymous driver and team manager, has been associated with the history of Formula 1 with more than 350 Grand Prix. For its part, Rebellion Timepieces is the only watch brand to have owned its own team competing in endurance championships for more than a decade. Rebellion Racing has distinguished itself at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMP1, the event’s premier class.

The pugnacious personality and strong character of the two champions inspired Rebellion Timepieces to develop two custom watches in their image. The RE-Volt Valtteri Bottas C42 and REVolt Zhou Guanyu C42, designed for and with them, give life to this desire.

These two creations, produced in a limited edition of only 50 pieces, push back aesthetic conventions. The sculptural case machined in coloured carbon adopts the colours of the two drivers. The Valtteri Bottas model is adorned with shades of white and gray, while the Zhou Guanyu model is highlighted with red. On the openwork dial, bridges and hands, touches of blue or the omnipresence of carmine evoke the respective flags of the racers. The tinted small seconds disc suggests the wheels of their racing car. As for the time information, it is driven with precision by the manual-winding Rebellion Timepieces caliber.

To underline the unique character of this limited production, the signature of Valtteri Bottas or Zhou Guanyu decorates the sapphire crystal. The back is also decorated with the logo of the Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN. The edition number, X/50, and the serial number are also present on the back of the case.

As with all of its timepieces, Rebellion Timepieces offers the opportunity to make the RE-Volt Valtteri Bottas C42 and RE-Volt Zhou Guanyu C42 your own with an extra touch of personalization. Each one can be adapted to the style of each individual thanks to a wide choice of strap colours and materials, in Napaskiak stamped with the Team logo and closed with a Velcro® buckle or in rubber finished with a folding clasp.

In order to share some of the thrill of competition, the drivers and Rebellion Timepieces wanted to incorporate a fragment of their Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN C42 into each timepiece. Each watch therefore features a piece from the single-seaters. A piece of the rear wing of the C42 driven by Valtteri Bottas will be worn by the 50 owners of the RE-Volt Valtteri Bottas C42. As for the Zhou Guanyu series, fragments of the sidepod of his car were taken and incorporated into the RE-Volt Zhou Guanyu C42. Each piece of carbon taken has a visible identification number and is attached to a sideplate on the case body. A certificate of authenticity issued by Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN and Rebellion Timepieces attesting to the provenance of the piece is given to the purchaser. The plate also bears the name and number of the driver.

More than just a watch, Rebellion Timepieces and Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN are offering a unique and unforgettable experience to every buyer of the RE-Volt pieces. Each of them will be invited to a special event: a visit to the Rebellion Timepieces and Rebellion Motors workshops and to the Sauber Motorsport factory in Hinwil. The wind tunnel, where the aerodynamics of the cars are tested, will be the unexpected setting for a memorable dinner. The highlight of this VIP event will be the handover of the watches to their owners by Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu themselves.

SPACE&TIME

In the 1960s, Breitling’s Navitimer was the undisputed pilot’s watch, however the world’s attention was rapidly advancing beyond air travel. Space exploration was at the top of the world agenda, and that meant a different kind of Space Race was quietly underway. This time, between watchmakers vying to be the first on astronauts’ wrists.

The Manufacture’s expertise in aviation watches shot the brand to the head of the pack and on May 24, 1962, Breitling officially claimed the title “first Swiss wristwatch in space” after astronaut Scott Carpenter orbited the Earth three times while wearing the Navitimer Cosmonaute during his Mercury-Atlas 7 mission. The watch had been Carpenter’s personal request, a variation on the iconic aviator’s watch he’d encountered in his flight days, but with a 24-hour dial to tell day from night in space.

Now - on the 60th anniversary of that mission - Breitling have not only unveiled Carpenter’s original Navitimer Cosmonaute, but also launched a modern tribute to it. This special release is limited to 362 numbered pieces that recognize both the spacecraft’s circumnavigations of the Earth and the year the mission made history, marking a crucial step in manned spaceflight. On May 24, 1962, five hours after launch, the Aurora 7 space capsule with Carpenter aboard splashed down safely in the Atlantic. The recovery operation lasted three hours, with the long exposure to seawater resulting in irreparable damage to Carpenter’s Cosmonaute. Breitling immediately replaced Carpenter’s watch, but that battered and corroded piece of space history remained in the Breitling family archives - unrestored and widely unknown. That is, until now. Exactly 60 years after its historic flight, that great space watch was exhibited for the first time to select collectors, journalists, and watch enthusiasts at a space-themed event in Zurich. Co-hosted by Georges Kern and former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, the event

featured an impressive lineup of guest speakers that included members of the Carpenter family, Gregory Breitling, and historian and collector Fred Mandelbaum. The panelists reflected on the Cosmonaute’s creation, the significance of Carpenter’s mission, and how both fit into the wider context of the space program at the time. Also exhibited was a Cosmonaute once owned by astronaut John Glenn and acquired at auction in 2019 by Gregory Breitling.

The Cosmonaute is a true Navitimer, meaning it has all the hallmarks of Breitling’s aviation icon: the circular slide rule for performing mathematical calculations, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association “wings” logo, and the trio of chronograph subdials. What separates the Cosmonaute from the rest of its family is its ability to tell 24-hour time. The Breitling Manufacture Caliber B02 was specifically designed for this task.

At first glance, the new Cosmonaute is a faithful reproduction of the original, made timeless with an all-black dial and black alligator strap or sevenrow stainless-steel bracelet. On closer inspection though, the elegantly proportioned 41mm watch is packed with new features. One is its platinum bezel, a premium touch that makes this numbered edition even more of a collector’s piece.

Another is its open sapphire crystal caseback that provides a window on the B02 movement with its special bridge engravings to mark the occasion: the words “Carpenter,” “Aurora 7,” and “3 orbits around the Earth,” along with the name of the original group of seven astronauts chosen for NASA’s first human-crewed spaceflights, Mercury 7.

While other watch brands have claims to space firsts, only Breitling can call itself the “first Swiss wristwatch in space.” The only other Swiss timepiece to have reached orbit previously was a pocket stopwatch equipped with a strap. The Cosmonaute, meanwhile - a wristwatch worn in space and designed according to an astronaut’s specifications - was kept precisely to those specs when it became available for purchase in 1962. Not only did the 24-hour timepiece go on to become a hit amongst collectors, it was frequently spotted on other astronauts’ wrists.

Today’s Cosmonaute takes us back to the origins of space travel, when the race was on, stakes were high, and every mission was a triumph of human ingenuity. This new watch honours the aesthetics of the original Cosmonaute, with subtle updates that work almost imperceptibly to give it its modern-retro appeal. As a final tribute, the caseback is engraved with the date of Carpenter’s mission, the watch’s number out of 362, and the phrase “First Swiss wristwatch in space.” 9 May 1962 Scott Carpenter stands in front of the Nasa Mercury Control Center Cape Canaveral Florida. Photo by Nasa © Getty Images.