Few watches in the world can rival the brilliant success of Jack Heuer's brand - his square Monaco chronograph from 1969, depicting the most glamorous Formula 1 race in the world. There was a time in the watchmaking world when the keywords were "innovation" and "imagination." Today they have been replaced with "special/limited edition" and "titanium." The new special edition released under the name TAG Heuer Monaco Titan Special Edition, created in honor of the return of the Monaco Grand Prix in 2021 after a one-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, and now we are ready to amaze you with the classic!
This special series of 500 legendary TAG Monaco watches in a sandblasted titanium shell is equipped with a modern version of the famous automatic chronograph Calibre 11, debuted in the first Monaco model. After the suspension of the Monaco Grand Prix last year, the Formula 1 cars participating in the 2021 race will undergo qualifying stages on Saturday, May 22. On Sunday, May 23, Formula 1 drivers will be ready to complete 78 laps, where there are many dangerous, narrow, and steep turns on the streets of Monaco.
1969-2019
Without going into the details of the creation of Jack Heuer's 1969 square chronograph, named after the legendary Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, which Steve McQueen wore in the 1971 film Le Mans, we can assure you that the 50th Anniversary of Monaco in 2019 was solemnly celebrated at TAG Heuer exhibitions.
Inflexible collectors of Monaco will be inspired by the recent news that one of the Monaco watches worn by Steve McQueen during the filming of Le Mans was recently sold for $2,208,000 at an auction organized by Phillips in 2020 - the highest price ever achieved for a Heuer watch.
We reviewed all the Monaco releases dedicated to the 50th anniversary, each representing its decade. The first anniversary version was the 1969-1979 model with a green dial, followed by an interview with TAG Heuer CEO Stéphane Bianchi and an interview with Patrick Dempsey during the 2019 Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. The second anniversary model was the bright fiery red Monaco 1979-1989 model, followed by the more industrial 1989-1999 model. The fourth model was the 1999-2009 model with a panda-style black and white dial, culminating in the fifth and final 50th anniversary edition with a minimalist dial and sandblasted case - but then it was still made of stainless steel.
What's New?
It would be wrong to claim that this is the first Monaco made of titanium. In 2004, TAG Heuer undertook an adventurous mission and released "concept" watches known as Monaco V4, with an openwork dial and futuristic architecture, which eventually materialized in a 41mm titanium case. Nevertheless, the latest Monaco Titan model retains its original case size of 39 x 39 mm and is made of grade 2 titanium with a matte untreated sandblasted finish. Containing a gray shade of sandblasted titanium combined with the lightness, yet resilience of this metal makes these watches pleasant to wear on the wrist. The bold angular architecture of the case is 100% Monaco with rectangular pushers on the right and a crown on the left.
On the sunray-polished silver dial are two rounded black square sub-dials showing the running seconds at the "3 o'clock" position and a 30-minute chronograph counter at the "9 o'clock" position. A bright red central seconds hand and a red index marker at the "12 o'clock" position add vibrancy and refer to racing track colors. The hour and minute hands have a central Super-LumiNova stripe, similar to the dots that appear above the hour markers, and like all Monaco models, the date window is located at the "6 o'clock" position. Fans will also notice eight horizontal indices placed on the dial at the 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11 o'clock marks, a similar feature found on the earliest Monaco models, and more recently on the Monaco Calibre 11 Gulf 50th Anniversary. The TAG Heuer Monaco Titan, securing its place on the racing tracks, is complemented by a sporty anthracite alligator leather strap, with grooves reminiscent of racing car tires and a folding titanium clasp. The dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal.
Automatic Chronograph Calibre 11
As an integral part of the Monaco watchmaking art, Calibre 11 (also known as Chronomatic) was one of the first three automatic chronograph movements to hit the market in 1969. The TAG Heuer Monaco Titan is equipped with an upgraded version of the Calibre 11. A round opening on the back case shows parts of the chronograph mechanism, based on the automatic Sellita SW-300 (since 2011) with a Dubois-Depraz module for chronograph functions. With a speed of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour, it has a 40-hour power reserve. The large rotor with two openwork triangular sections is adorned with Côtes de Genève, revealing circular grain on the plates below.
Availability and Price
The TAG Heuer Monaco Titan Special Edition collection is limited to 500 pieces and will be available from May 21, 2021, in TAG Heuer boutiques and on the brand's website. The retail price is 7,700 Swiss Francs, 7,450 Euros, 7,900 USD, or 6,550 GBP.
