A Hands-On Introduction To The Limited-Edition TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph For The Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025

Why not release a new range of modern motorsports-inspired watches, preferably chronographs, with the name “Las Vegas”? The limited-edition TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph for the Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 made me think. Just like the Monaco Grand Prix, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, held since 2023, is a street course. Another similarity is that both places are centers of gambling. However, the Monaco Grand Prix is a traditional event, whereas the Las Vegas Grand Prix is still in the process of establishing its tradition. So come on, TAG Heuer, boost the race by honoring it with a watch! Please give us a square — or any wild geometric shape — TAG Heuer Las Vegas Chronograph next year. But first, we must take a closer look at this year’s new 600-piece limited-edition Monaco in its black square case, featuring neon purples and blues that mimic the colors of a nighttime race.

Formula 1 is beneficial for Las Vegas. Last year, the Grand Prix generated more tax revenue than any other event in Las Vegas history, and the full economic impact was estimated at US$1.5 billion. The average F1 tourist spent 3.6 times what a typical visitor would spend, with an average visit of four days and an average expenditure of over US$4,000. This is a crowd that can spend a few bucks on a watch. For quite a few of them, the CHF 11,000 asking price for the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph celebrating the Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 is not a chicane they can’t navigate through. What’s the black square watch like?

A limited-edition TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph for the Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025

For last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, TAG Heuer presented a 39 × 15.2mm black DLC-coated Grade 2 titanium Monaco featuring an open-worked dial and pink as the dominant color in the details. This year, the watch again features the black case and skeletonized dial architecture, but the colors have changed. The open-worked structure exhibits a gradient from violet to deep blue, mimicking the night sky of Las Vegas.

There’s plenty of “neon” as well, as you would expect from a watch linked to the “City of Lights.” Blue Super-LumiNova highlights the chronograph function and its turquoise hands, and green-glowing Super-LumiNova helps you keep track of time during the night.

The open-worked date revealer is visible against a white, blue-glowing “SLN” background. Finally, purple and blue SLN on the inner arches of the skeletonized dial and outer edge, respectively, help create a glowing backlight.

Iridescent metallization

When you flip the watch over, three things stand out. The first thing that hits you is the continuation of the night-sky theme. The crystal covering the movement features iridescent metallization ranging from blue to purple, similar to what is visible on the dial side. The light constantly makes subtle changes to its appearance. The second thing you might notice is the engraving of the watch’s individual number out of 600 pieces.

The third thing you have to notice is the movement visible through the colorful window. It’s the in-house automatic TH20-00. You can also see parts of it through the box-type sapphire crystal on the front, and on the back, you can see the column wheel at 12 o’clock and the swinging black oscillating weight.

Wearing the Monaco Chronograph Las Vegas

That watch comes fitted with a 22mm-wide strap, which is a combination of black rubber and embossed calf leather with purple stitching. You close the strap with a black DLC-coated Grade 2 titanium folding clasp with safety pushers. What I’ve learned is that, although my 18cm wrist is not exactly small, a 39mm Monaco doesn’t sit well on it. It’s the shape of my wrist that’s to blame. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work with square watches. In the past, I had a crush on the Heuer Silverstone, a rounded-square chronograph, only to find out it would be love from a distance. Once on the wrist, it looked like anything but a long-lasting love affair.

What do you think? Is this glowing blue and purple Monaco a watch you would consider for your wrist? It does look like a watch that also enjoys a bit of clubbing, so it’s not bound to just the race track. Also, what do you think of a TAG Heuer Las Vegas Chronograph for next year’s Grand Prix, if only to give the good old Monaco, which has been around since 1969, a bit of a rest?