TAG Heuer Unveils The Super Cool Retro Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch

After a first look at all three TAG Heuer watches that came out today, this was the one that I immediately got excited about. There is just something about the retro looks of the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch that screams “cool!” This new 970-piece limited edition takes inspiration from the Heuer stopwatches from the 1960s and ’70s. As it turns out, the look of those stopwatches transfers wonderfully well to the Monaco. The result is a watch that is right up there with the coolest TAG Heuer Monaco models of recent years. Let’s take a closer look at this new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch.

If you read my review of the titanium TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green, you know I have an ambivalent relationship with the legendary Monaco. While I do greatly appreciate its design and legacy, it has never been a watch for me. The reasons for that are purely practical. I just could never get used to the square shape and the fairly boxy case on the wrist. Last year, the Racing Green limited edition was the first step in changing that. I found that lightweight and stylish version of the Monaco super impressive. As it turned out, it was a great-looking design object and an absolute joy to wear. As you will understand, that changed my perception quite drastically, so it probably comes as no surprise that I felt genuine excitement when I first saw the images of the new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch.

The story of the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch

If you know something about the history of Heuer, I’m sure you’re aware of the significant role the brand played in racing, specifically in timekeeping during races. That rich history has been a great source of inspiration for TAG Heuer recently. For its newest Monaco limited edition, the brand brings back the look of Heuer’s fantastic stopwatches from the late ’60s and ’70s. I consider these some of the best-looking timekeepers of the past. If were in the market for a classic racing stopwatch, I would chase one of these.

The look of these stopwatches is simply hard to beat. With that traditional Heuer palette of black, white, and red, these stopwatches have become some of the most iconic within the world of racing. Looking at the design in 2025, they still look as relevant and beautiful as ever, thanks to the color combination, the brilliant typeface used for the numerals, and the intricate design with different scales, sub-dials, and hands.

The details of the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch

TAG Heuer took the design of that stopwatch as the aesthetic foundation for the new Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch. Let’s go over some details. Just like the stopwatch, the new Monaco has a black case. The new sandblasted and DLC-coated Grade 2 titanium exterior has a 39mm diameter, a 47.4mm lug-to-lug, and a 15mm profile. A black coating always suits the Monaco well. A great example of that is the famous Monaco “Dark Lord.” But we have seen more recent examples, like the black and pink Monaco Chronograph that debuted last year.

Inside the Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch’s black case sits an opaline dial with a large black circular layout in the middle. Surrounding that is a silver outer portion containing the red minute/chronograph-seconds track, which also holds hour markers. These hour markers combine a bolder red rectangle with a black dot. Additionally, you will find polished black gold indexes on the outside of the minute track. As you can see, they are applied horizontally, which I adore. The index at 12 also contains red lacquer to help it stand out. Lastly, the faceted black gold hour and minute hands contain white Super-LumiNova that lights up blue in the dark. Accompanying them is a red-lacquered central chronograph hand that contrasts nicely with the black backdrop.

The special look of the Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch

In the black central portion of the dial sit two black opaline counters with contrasting white printing and white hands. The date window at 6 o’clock integrates nicely into the design. Roughly a third of it protrudes from the black center, just like the index at 12. The date indicator features a black frame and white disc with black printing. Lastly, the upper half of the dial’s black center bears the traditional Heuer Monaco logo for a nice retro touch. A beautifully sculpted box-shaped sapphire crystal protects the dial and is a proper work of art. As I said before, as a design object, the Monaco is fascinating, and this new Stopwatch limited edition proves this once more.

Inside the blacked-out case, TAG Heuer equips the watch with its current Caliber 11. This automatic movement is based on the Sellita SW300-1 with an added Dubois Dépraz chronograph module. The movement operates at 28,800vph and has a power reserve of 40 hours. It is visible through the sapphire window on the back and, as you can see, is finished neatly.

The caliber features the traditional Monaco setup, with the crown on the left side of the case and the two chronograph pushers on the right. The modular architecture makes this possible and adds that vintage Monaco charm. Lastly, the watch comes on a perforated calfskin strap with a black DLC-coated Grade 2 titanium folding clasp with push-button release.

My impressions of the new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch

Though I haven’t seen this watch in real life yet, I can already say that I’m a fan of it. I love how TAG Heuer uses its rich racing history to create new designs for the Monaco. As a result, recent offerings have brought great variety and look stunning. As you will understand by now, my experience wearing the Racing Green version drastically changed my opinion about the modern Monaco. That’s why I hope to get a chance to go hands-on with this new 970-piece limited edition. I love how the brand’s designers have carried over a classic racing stopwatch’s design with the traditional Heuer colors to the modern Monaco.

This is one of the coolest Monaco models in recent years. As a result, I think all 970 pieces will fly out the door for CHF 9,600. If you are into the classic racing world, this new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch will undoubtedly strike a chord with you. Additionally, if you love the Monaco, this might be a new favorite in a string of great editions of TAG Heuer’s legendary racing chronograph. With all the wonderful executions of this watch in the past few years, I can’t help but wonder what TAG Heuer will bring us next!