WATCHES & TIMEPIECES
Red-hot racing through the 1980s
Hot on the heels of the first of the five timepieces, the second model
reveals a fiery design with a bold red dial synonymous with cutting-
edge design and racing victory. Presented on a black calfskin strap
punctured with holes lined in red, this special edition captures the
speed and style of the Monaco’s second decade. The stainless-steel
model, with its iconic square case, features a red sunray dial and two
rhodium-plated subdials with curved edges. Black and white accents
on the dial perfectly complement the black-tipped hour and minute
hands. The hands and indexes are coated with Super-LumiNova® for
improved legibility.
As with the original, the pushers are on the right of the case while
the crown is on the left – an unconventional feature that has
distinguished the Monaco over the past 50 years.
The caseback of this 1980s-inspired wristwatch is engraved with the
“Monaco Heuer” logo as well as “1979-1989 Special Edition” and
“One of 169”. Sporting a design inspired by the original model, the
stainless-steel caseback has vertical and circular brushed patterns.
The case houses the renowned Calibre 11, a modern version of the
automatic-winding chronograph movement that made its debut
inside the original Monaco in 1969. This watch has been produced in
an edition limited to 169 pieces.
Looking back on 50 years of the TAG Heuer Monaco and
Calibre 11
When the Heuer Monaco (TAG was not part of the company name at
the time) was introduced at simultaneous press conferences in New
York and Geneva on 3 March 1969, journalists and watch aficionados
around the world were amazed. With its never-before-seen water-
resistant square case, the Monaco’s daring and iconic design made it
instantly recognisable.
The watch’s design was the perfect complement to the advanced
technology being presented by the Swiss watchmaker at the time.
Developed and commercialised by Heuer, the Calibre 11 was the
world’s first automatic-winding chronograph movement.
CEO at the time Jack Heuer believed that this groundbreaking
innovation required a design that would demand attention. The
Monaco did exactly that.
In 1971, the Monaco was worn by Steve McQueen, the “King of Cool”,
in the movie Le Mans.
TAG Heuer and Le Mans
Was it luck or was it destiny? Jack Heuer once explained that the
world’s first self-winding chronograph, called the Chronomatic in
1969, was not about luck but rather filling a clear need on the market
for chronographs. “But if the Monaco is a first in design, its success
is owed almost entirely to luck,” he has said. As the story goes, Jack
Heuer sent stopwatches and chronographs to the set for the filming
of the movie Le Mans, and he was also able to send six identical
Monaco watches (a move made possible by the watch’s poor post-
launch sales). It was this watch that was chosen for Steve McQueen
to wear. The watch might not have been successful in 1970, but
today it is a TAG Heuer icon. Jack Heuer himself has said that he
could never have imagined the watch would be as successful and
coveted as it is today. He went to the set of Le Mans after the watches
had been delivered, but McQueen was not there that day. They never
even met!
www.tagheuer.com
Issue 39 2019
The Art of Luxury
55