Precision and performance in every second – these ideals play an equally important role in the world of Formula 1 and timekeeping. That’s why there are many watches that have come out of this liason. Combining unmistakable looks with convincing features, often borrowed from the auto world, they rank among the most popular timepieces. One of them is TAG Heuer’s Monaco, which marked several world premieres when it first hit the racetrack in 1969: it was powered by one of the first automatic chronograph movements of all times and debuted in a square case that was water resistant. Its history is interwoven with the Steve McQueen who brought it to fame in the movie Le Mans and didn’t take it off in private settings, as legend has it.
At this year’s Watches & Wonders, TAG Heuer unveiled a special edition made with its partner Gulf, aptly christened the Monaco Gulf Special Edition. Needless to say that the design continues to be based on the three iconic colors of Gulf, but this time the colorway combinations are even more intense and radiant.
The dark blue background is enhanced by a sunray finish, the turquoise has a lighter hue and the orange a bolder one. For the first time, these “Gulf accents” appear in the minute counter at 3 o’clock. Another premiere is the Gulf logo in white. As a nod to the racing number on the Porsche Gulf racing cars, the 12 o’clock index is replaced by the number “60” – polished and rhodium plated like a race car’s body.
Under the hood we find another premiere for the Monaco: This chronograph is powered by the in-house movement Heuer 02, which features a sophisticated column wheel and a vertical clutch. The automatic movement amasses a power reserve of 80 hours.
To complete the eye-catching look of the watch, the strap is made of perforated blue calfskin leather with orange stitching. Although it has the typical perforation conceived especially for the Monaco Gulf editions, the holes now have different sizes, a reflection of the design originally fitted to Monaco models in the 1970s.
The TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Special Edition will be available from May 2022 and retail for $7,050.
To learn more, visit TAG Heuer, here.
