The Gentleman Magazine Issue 15 | June 2019 | Page 13
A year after it was launched, the Monaco was seen on the wrist
of brand ambassador and racing driver Jo Siffert, and in 1971
it shared the cinematic limelight with Steve McQueen in the
movie Le Mans.
Already a collector’s edition and a tribute to the 1970s
Highlighting the breakthrough and yet timeless design of
the original Monaco, TAG Heuer created five new models
inspired by the trends, colours and styles that characterised
each decade of the Monaco’s half-century history. Emblematic
geometric shapes and colours from the 1970s, combined with
a timeless Côtes de Genève pattern are some of the features
that distinguish the first model to celebrate the Monaco’s 50th
anniversary.
Presented on a brown leather strap with holes lined in light
brown, this stainless-steel timepiece has been produced in
an edition limited to only 169 pieces. The green dial features
brown and yellow touches and a Côtes de Genève finishing.
The hands are coated with SuperLuminova®. Only a quick
glance at the subdials and the position of the crown is needed
to recognise this unconventional timepiece’s Monaco lineage.
The caseback of this 1970s-inspired timepiece is engraved
with the original “Monaco Heuer” logo as well as “1969-1979
Special Edition” and “One of 169”.
Beating inside the case is the renowned Calibre 11, a modern
version of the automatic-winding chronograph movement that
made its debut inside the original Monaco in 1969.
The paradoxical superstar
Over the past two decades, the Monaco has been closely
linked to haute horlogerie with other versions that feature new
complications, designs and materials. As it evolves, the Monaco
still has the revolutionary spirit that made it both infamous and
famous. The complete story behind this icon is told in the new
book Paradoxical Superstar, which includes archive excerpts
and sketches of the designs and movements. British author and
journalist Nicholas Foulkes, watch expert Gisbert Brunner and
American writer Michael Clerizo all contributed chapters that
capture the heritage and innovation that define the Monaco.
Underscoring the timepiece’s bond with its namesake city, H.
S. H. Prince Albert II of Monaco wrote the book’s foreword.
77th Monaco Grand Prix
No race or circuit of the Formula 1 calendar can truly match
the excellence, glamour and challenge of the Monaco Grand
Prix. From Casino Square to the world’s most famous hairpin,
through the tunnel and past the luxurious yachts, Monte Carlo
is a circuit of legendary corners full of history.
itself in the world of motorsports and set the scene for some
of the craziest Formula 1 Grand Prix moments in history.
Unexpected developments and strategies are the keywords
of this prestigious mechanical rendezvous. Crashes at Sainte-
Dévote, grip changes in the tunnel on rainy days, passing ever
nearer the rail at the section with the swimming pool. The 78
laps and 19 turns push the pilots to the limits, all driven by
one ambition: getting their name on the record of the Monaco
Grand Prix on Sunday, 26 May 2019.
MONACO 1969–1979
CAW211V.FC6466
LIMITED
EDITION
Reference
FACTS AND FIGURES
MOVEMENT
TAG Heuer Automatic Calibre 11, diameter 30 mm, 59 jewels,
balance oscillating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour
(4 Hz), 40-hour power reserve
FUNCTIONS Chronograph with seconds and minutes; date,
hours, minutes and small seconds at 3 o’clock
CASE
Diameter 39 mm, case in stainless steel, fixed bezel in stainless
steel, sapphire crystal, polished steel crown at 9 o’clock and
push buttons at 2 and 4 o’clock, water-resistant to 100 metres
(10 bar), steel caseback with “1969-1979 Special Edition” and
“One of 169” engravings
DIAL Green dial with Côtes de Genève finishing, sunray black
gold plated small counters, polished, facetted indexes, brown
and yellow touches on hands and indexes
STRAP
Brown calfskin leather strap, polished folding clasp in stainless
steel
Limited to 169 watches
SPECIAL PACKAGING Like the watch itself, the watch box
is also inspired by the original. Each of the special-edition
models comes in a box with colours that match the watch
and the decade it represents. The 1970s-inspired model is
packaged in a dark blue box decorated with the Heuer logo
and a horizontal chequer-pattern stripe. The watch is placed
on a yellow cushion and surrounded by a green interior – the
same colour found on the dial.
Find out more at www.tagheuer.com
Extremely challenging for both teams and drivers, the narrow
circuit through the glamorous streets of the Principality has
been fuelling dreams in motorsports for decades. The tight
circuit that offers almost no chance to overtake is extremely
hard to master, and for some drivers winning the Monaco
Grand Prix is even more prestigious than winning the World
Championship.
In 2019 the Monaco Grand Prix will be doubly special as it
celebrates its 90th anniversary since its first edition on 14 April
1929. In its 90 years this unique Grand Prix has established
The Gentleman Magazine | 13