Hands-On: The TAG Heuer Monaco Finds Its Ideal Match In Titanium
When I think of TAG Heuer, I think of racing, chronographs, and the iconic Monaco. So when the brand invited us to the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid and asked me which watch I wanted to borrow for the weekend, I immediately knew it would be the new titanium Monaco. It’s one of those watches I’d probably never buy myself, as it’s too big for my wrist, but I knew that wearing this icon for a long weekend wouldn’t be any trouble at all. In fact, it gave me the perfect opportunity to go hands-on with one of the latest additions to TAG Heuer’s chronograph stable.
The TAG Heuer Monaco, especially the version with the matte blue dial and red accents, is inextricably linked to celebrities and racing. In 1971, Steve McQueen wore the watch in the movie Le Mans, and Patrick Dempsey wore it during his 24 Hours of Le Mans. So, what is it like to wear this watch as an ordinary mortal?
The 2026 TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph in titanium
TAG Heuer introduced the titanium Monaco during Watches and Wonders in Geneva earlier this year. You can choose between a titanium version with a green sunburst dial, a two-tone one in titanium and rose gold with a black dial, and another full-titanium version with the iconic matte blue dial featuring red accents. Of course, I chose to borrow the last version, as when I think of the TAG Heuer Monaco, that’s exactly what I picture.
One of the Monaco’s distinctive features is its square case. The new Grade 5 titanium version measures 39 mm wide, 47.7 mm from tip to tip, and 13.9 mm thick. That last measurement is actually quite acceptable for an automatic chronograph. Apart from its unusual shape and size, the new titanium case also immediately catches attention with its finishing. The corners are razor-sharp, and I like how the deep brushing greatly accentuates those lines.
In true Monaco fashion, the chronograph pushers are on the right side, and the crown is on the left. With them, you can operate the TH20-11 automatic column-wheel chronograph movement. It features 31 jewels, runs at 28,800 vph, and has an 80-hour power reserve.
The legendary matte blue dial with red accents
In addition to the iconic case, this watch has the legendary matte blue dial with red accents. I love how TAG Heuer picked precisely the right faded shade for the matte blue background. It also has a slightly coarse texture that perfectly matches the vintage-inspired aesthetics. The bright red accents next to the hour markers visually pop and complement those on the hands and the applied index at 12.
The most striking thing, though, is the layout of the sub-dials and the other applied hour markers. Of course, I was familiar with those horizontal indexes, but they’re much more noticeable on the wrist than from afar. The same goes for the numerals on the sub-dials. As the two white registers are square, it almost looks like the numerals were printed in a wide-screen TV shape.
I also noticed the slightly curved, carefully polished sapphire crystal and the thin frame around it. All these quirky details show how much thought goes into an iconic watch like the TAG Heuer Monaco.
The TAG Heuer Monaco makes sense in lightweight titanium
As I said in the introduction, I’d probably never buy the TAG Heuer Monaco because of its impressive size. A 39mm case may not sound that big, but in a square shape and with a near-14mm thickness, it becomes quite an apparatus on my 17cm wrist. The great thing, though, is that this new version comes in Grade 5 titanium. This makes it much lighter and more wearable than the stainless steel version.
Some people, like RJ, will never love titanium watches due to their reduced weight and slightly darker gray tone. I, however, am all for brands using titanium, especially for bulkier watches, like the Monaco. Sure, it’s still big for my 17cm wrist, but at least the weight doesn’t bother me much anymore. Plus, thanks to its deeply brushed surfaces, I hardly even noticed the titanium’s darker tone.
Perfectly fine-tuned
Over the Formula 1 weekend, I enjoyed wearing the Monaco more and more. The dial goes great with my mainly blue wardrobe, and I got quite used to the bigger size. I prefer smaller watches, but the Monaco shouldn’t be any smaller because it would lose much of its charm. Its current form lets you appreciate the distinctive case shape and dial layout. I also couldn’t stop running my fingers along the sharp corners and edges. They make the Monaco look like a precision instrument and give it even more attitude.
All in all, I think the TAG Heuer Monaco in Grade 5 titanium is a perfectly fine-tuned iteration of the brand’s icon. It makes sense to produce this watch in a lighter material without forgoing the charm of a perfectly brushed and polished metal case. This way, the Monaco keeps the look everyone knows and loves while allowing more people to enjoy it.
In the end, an icon’s recognizability is one of its most important characteristics. However, brands also want to evolve and bring their icons into the next generation. With the new Monaco in Grade 5 titanium, TAG Heuer did exactly that. It’s still as recognizable and lovable as ever, but it’s also fully modernized inside and out.
What do you think?
The new TAG Heuer Monaco in titanium costs €9,300 / US$9,350 / £7,900. Visit TAG Heuer’s official website if you’d like more information. Let me know in the comments below what you think of this titanium Monaco. Do you also think it makes sense, or should a TAG Heuer Monaco always be stainless steel?
