As part of their Watches & Wonders 2022 releases, TAG Heuer is bringing back Monaco with a bang. This newly refined version comes with some beautiful colours while also now using one of TAG Heuer’s best modern movements to date.
To create this latest edition of TAG Heuer’s iconic Monaco timepiece, the Swiss watch brand teamed up with the Gulf brand. The Gulf brand became famous and instantly recognisable thanks to its defining livery of bold blue and vivid orange colours. This was worn by the teams they sponsored and the cars stood out from the competition beautifully. The first time TAG Heuer and Gulf worked together was back in 2007 when the watchmaker used the Gulf colours on the dial. That particular timepiece turned out to be very successful, which makes this latest collaboration a no-brainer.
For their Watches & Wonders 2022 release, the brand has produced a stunning version of Monaco, named the Monaco Gulf Special Edition.
Design:
The Monaco Gulf Special Edition comes in a 39mm square stainless steel case which has a domed, bevelled sapphire crystal. The case provides water-resistance of 100m. The dial features vivid colours that represent the Gulf brand. The three colours that make up the Gulf is the orange, light blue, and dark blue. For this edition of Monaco, TAG Heuer has decided to use a more contemporary colour combination with a special dark blue, turquoise, and orange. Dark blue is used as the main colour for the dial and it comes with a sunray finish making it look stunning. The turquoise and orange have been used as two stripes that go along the right-hand side of the dial. For the first time, the Gulf accents have been used on the sub-dial, as the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock uses a mixture of turquoise and orange.
The 9 o’clock 12-hour sub-counter is a full silver opaline that stands out beautifully against the blue sunray brushed dial. The hands and hour indices are rhodium-plated and polished, and like the silver opaline sub-dial, have a direct contrast with the blue background. At 6 o’clock we see the constant seconds indicator, with the subdial being the main dial itself. This subtly makes the dial appear less cluttered and allows the beauty of the colours to shine. Beneath the constant seconds, the counter is also the date window. The sub-counter hands along with the chronograph seconds hand are done in orange which adds that extra touch of playfulness and colour to the dial.
Movement:
TAG Heuer has given this Monaco Gulf Special Edition the Heuer 02 treatment, as the timepiece now features one of the brand’s latest in-house movements. The calibre Heuer02 movement operates at a frequency of 4hz (28, 800 VpH) and can put out a power reserve of approximately 80 hours. The Monaco Gulf Special Edition comes with an open case-back, which reveals the personalised version of the oscillating mass and column wheel along with special engraving that is coloured to match the Gulf orange patone.
The watch comes with a blue calfskin leather strap which has an orange lining on the underside. The strap comes with perforation which is specifically done for this timepiece. These straps however now have different size holes, which are a reflection of the straps originally used by the Monaco models of the 19070s.
TAG Heuer’s Monaco Gulf Special Edition is a much more refined timepiece than previous versions. Now featuring a stunning new dial along with a very modern movement, the Monaco Gulf Special Edition is an eye-catching timepiece that is sure to be a hit among motor-racing enthusiasts. The timepiece will be available for purchase from May 2022 and will be sold worldwide from TAG Heuer boutiques and the brand’s e-commerce website.
Reference: CBL2115.FC6494
Specification:
- Case: 39 mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial: Blue sunray brushed dial
- Crystal: Domed, bevelled sapphire crystal
- Water resistance:100 meters
- Movement: Calibre HEUER02 Automatic
- Power reserve: 80 Hours
- Strap: Blue calfskin strap; alsavel orange lining, Polished steel folding clasp with double safety push-buttons
