Hands-On With The Cool Retro TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch
In recent times, TAG Heuer has done a great job of balancing modern-looking Monaco releases with others that tell the great racing stories from the past. By doing so, the brand caters to a varied audience. I lean heavily into the Monaco’s historical side because that’s where I find the romance of this classic. So when TAG Heuer unveiled the Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch influenced by the classic Heuer stopwatches from the 1960s and ’70s, I was immediately excited. As you can imagine, I was more than happy to take it for a spin when offered the chance. Could it be the best TAG Heuer Monaco in the current catalog? By its looks alone, I would say so. Let’s find out more.
When I wrote the introduction article for this new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch, I immediately labeled it one of the coolest Monacos of the past few years. And that didn’t change when I first saw it in real life. This watch just looks cool. I love the sculptural presence of the Monaco’s square case and beautifully sculpted sapphire crystal. Because of this, I always take the time to admire it off the wrist, as a design object. However, as it is a wristwatch, it also has to look good and wear comfortably. That’s where my relationship with the Monaco is rather ambivalent. Let me elaborate on that.
The details of the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch
The biggest challenge that I have always felt with the Monaco is getting to grips with its square shape. While it is a fundamental part of its appeal, it’s also the one thing that most watch fans struggle with when considering adding one to their collections. That said, I have found greater appreciation for wearing the Monaco thanks to some of the more recent releases. I particularly enjoyed my time with the Monaco Chronograph Racing Green. That lightweight titanium version of the watch not only looked the part but was also very easy to wear.
The new Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch shares the materials and dimensions of the Racing Green version, so I was more than happy to see whether this new model was even better. The watches come with the same square 39mm case in sandblasted Grade 2 titanium. However, the latest version features a black DLC coating to mimic the aesthetic of the original stopwatches. To be a bit more precise, the watch has a 39mm diameter, a 47.4mm lug-to-lug, and a 15mm thickness. Looking at those figures, they don’t seem out of the ordinary. Even the substantial profile can be explained by the thick, beautifully sculpted crystal.
The cool and distinct design
The blacked-out titanium case is matched with a stunning dial that is a design translation of the iconic Heuer stopwatches. I went over the details in the introduction article, so if you’d like to read about them, you can do so here. But I will say that the visual impact is brilliant. The combination of the opaline base with the large black circular layout in the middle and red details looks so cool. It has very distinct retro vibes but still feels crisp and very relevant.
Additionally, the detailed dial is rather captivating. The red track for the minutes and chronograph seconds adds refinement, and the applied, horizontal black gold indexes on the outside of that track are equally functional and decorative. As I explained before, I love that they are placed horizontally because it adds character to the Monaco. And the details continue to stand out as you let your eyes wander around the dial. Another example is the square sub-dials, which feature rounded corners that soften them and make them easy on the eyes.
Diving deeper into the details of the Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch
The execution of the hands is also rather uncommon. These faceted black gold hour and minute hands contain white Super-LumiNova that lights up blue in the dark. However, as you can see, the white lume is applied in an arrow shape, while the hands themselves have a pencil shape. The combination of white and black allows the designers to highlight this.
In my opinion, the date window is the most questionable element. While its placement is familiar and not the issue, I constantly wondered whether a black disc with white printing would have been the better option. The reason is that it would have been part of the black inner section of the dial rather than the outer portion.
As you can see, the Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch features two pushers on the right side of the case and the crown on the left side. The brand uses this traditional Monaco setup as a nod to the Chronomatic Caliber 11 that powered the inaugural models.
To realize that same layout, the brand resorts to a modular setup for its modern Caliber 11. This automatic movement is based on the Sellita SW300-1 with an added Dubois Dépraz chronograph module. It operates at 28,800vph and has a power reserve of 40 hours. The neatly finished movement is visible through the sapphire window on the back.
Wearing the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch
The watch comes on a perforated calfskin strap equipped with a black DLC-coated Grade 2 titanium folding clasp. While this strap completes the stylish retro aesthetic, I would be tempted to swap it for a black nubuck or suede one to match the sandblasted look of the case. Once on the wrist, this version of the Monaco has great visual impact. The black case and strap might have you think that the watch is rather stealthy, but it’s far from it. The combination of black, white, and red truly makes it pop.
Once on the wrist, the low weight is immediately noticeable. I enjoy that the case is titanium and think it suits the Monaco perfectly. What remains is the discussion about the shape. I was able to pull off the size on my 18.5cm (7.3″) wrist, as I did with the Racing Green version. However, if you have a smaller wrist, this watch won’t be for you. The boxy shape and substantial thickness will likely make it too uncomfortable. This will always be the one “but” that comes with the Monaco.
Final thoughts on the new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the watch because I think it looks cool. The integration of the vintage stopwatch design works super well. It feels as if it is made for this watch. Funnily enough, this version didn’t have the same surprising impact as the Racing Green one. Maybe it’s because I already knew that I would like the Stopwatch model after coming to terms with the Monaco’s shape last time.
But if you asked me which one I would buy, I would honestly have trouble answering because I love both of them for their design, although their aesthetics are completely different. It’s a luxury problem to have and great proof that TAG Heuer is doing great things with its retro-inspired Monaco models.
This new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch is a limited edition of 970 pieces and available for €9,650. We’d love to know what you think about it, so, as always, feel free to share your opinions in the comments below.
