Featuring a strong foothold in motorsports, TAG Heuer is a long-standing partner to multiple champions and teams, as well as official timekeeper to various championships. The brand’s collections all draw inspiration by this world: Formula 1, Carrera, Autavia, and, last but not least, the TAG Heuer Monaco collection all represent a nod to high-speed racing. Let’s discover, in this guide, history, and models belonging to the current Monaco collection along with the 2020 price list.

A brief history of the TAG Heuer Monaco

Introduced in 1969, the TAG Heuer Monaco became famous when it appeared on Steve McQueen‘s wrist in the cult film “Le Mans.” Not only was the Monaco a design icon, but it also holds two records: first squared-case waterproof watch, and the first automatic chronograph.

The original Monaco belongs to the selected few equipped with the legendary Chronomatic mechanical movement. Among the product’s distinctive traits are the square case, the bond with motor-racing, and the crown placed on the left-hand side of the case. The Monaco has, and had, a significant following among jet setters, actors, and artists, like Miles Davis, for examples; vintage Monaco watches currently raise record auction prices.

Variants and prices of the TAG Heuer Monaco

The current Monaco product offering consists of quintessentially classic models. It has been simplified after the brand has discontinued halo products like the Monaco Sixty–Nine, the Twenty–Four Hours Calibre 36, or the Monaco V4. There are currently three sub-collections, which differ from each other by case size, complication, and technical specifications:

• TAG Heuer Monaco Quartz – 37mm
• TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 – 39mm
• TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 – 39mm

on top, mention should be made of the first TAG Heuer Monaco to ever-adopt a manufacture caliber, the superb automatic Chrono movement HEUER 02. Below is the list of models sorted by price, as usual:

• TAG Heuer Monaco Quartz, Steel, 37mm – first price: Euro 2050
• TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12, Steel, 39mm – price: Euro 5050
• TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre HEUER 02, Steel, 39mm – price: Euro 5800
• TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11, Steel, 39mm – price: Euro 5800

The TAG Heuer Monaco Quartz

The entry-level TAG Heuer Monaco sports a mirror-polished steel case whose size is 37mm, across. This time-only variant showcases a small seconds register at 6 o’clock, whose sweeping hand features a red-colored end-tip. The dial has printed indexes and is protected by a slightly curved and beveled sapphire crystal. The strap is in alligator, and all versions are waterproof up to 100m.

Three are the available options: the reference WAW131A.FC6177Il in black, retailed at Euro 2050, and two other ones, addressed to the female audience, in white and brown, whose indexes are decorated with diamonds: they are the references WAW131B.FC6247 and WAW131E. FC6420, both priced at Euro 2700.

The TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12

The most modern take on the watch once worn by Steve McQueen has the crown placed on the right and houses the Calibre 12 visible through the transparent case-back; this caliber is a Sellita base with a Dubois–Depraz module.

The TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 is 39mm, across, with brushed finish except for lugs, crown, and pushers, which are polished instead. The seconds’ hand, along with those on the small register, come in red, to highlight the link with racing timing.

It comes in two variants: a blue dial with blue matching alligator strap (reference CAW2111.FC6356) retails for Euro 5050, while the gray dial (reference CAW211J.FC6476) comes in at Euro 5600.

The TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02

The cherry on the cake to 39mm large automatic models is this first edition powered by a manufacture movement: the TAG Heuer Monaco Caliber HEUER 02.

If the design looks virtually unchanged, the breaking news here is the adoption of a refined mechanical movement featuring a column-wheel mechanism, the same that also equips the Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition, capable of 80 hours of maximum power reserve, thus being a best in class.

The reference is CBL2111.FC6453 and retails for Euro 5800.

The TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11

Let’s finally introduce the TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11, the most faithful to original Monaco: it boasts the Heuer logo both on the dial and folding buckle. The dial is blue with horizontally placed and applied indexes, silver registers for the chronograph counters, a tiny date window at 6 o’clock, and a bold red chronograph seconds’ hand. It comes in various options.

The reference CAW211P.FC6356 with blue dial, for example, costs Euro 5800. Then comes exclusive or limited edition variants.

You need to add Euro 200 to get your hands on on the Monaco Gulf reference CAW211R.FC6401, or the Monaco Gulf 50^th Anniversary (reference CAW211T.FC6440), whose liveries pay homage to the iconic Gulf-sponsored Porsche racing cars.

In 2019, the TAG Heuer Monaco celebrated its 50^th Anniversary, and the brand introduced many limited edition models, each celebrating a decade between 1969 and 2019. Each limited edition timepiece comes as a 169–pieces run and is priced at Euro 6200.

Please find them all below, sorted by decade and reference:

• 1969-1979 reference CAW211V.FC6466: green dial with Côtes de Genève design
• 1979-1989 reference CAW211W.FC6467: with red dial.
• 1989-1999 reference CAW211X.FC6468: with gray dial
• 1999-2009 reference CAW211Y.FC6469: with black and white dial
• 2009-2019 reference CAW211Z.FC6470: with brushed anthracite dial

For additional information, please visit www.tagheuer.com.

(Photo credit: courtesy of TAG Heuer)

Francesco Falcone @Horbiter®