The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph × Gulf

This 12 months is a particular one for TAG Heuer. After greater than twenty years, 2025 marks the model’s return because the Official Timekeeper of System 1. Moreover, for the primary time in historical past, the Grand Prix de Monaco could have a title sponsor. TAG Heuer will current the race and has created a brand new limited-edition Monaco Chronograph × Gulf for the event.

By now, we’re used to specifically designed Monaco chronographs. By some means, although, TAG Heuer efficiently imbues every with a novel taste. As we speak’s new Monaco Chronograph × Gulf might sound like a repeat engagement, but it surely’s a particular creation that ought to entice racing followers. Certainly, collaborative items utilizing the Gulf emblem aren’t new, but this mannequin recreates a well-known picture and makes use of race-inspired supplies.

Monaco by means of Le Mans

To completely perceive the brand new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph × Gulf, let’s journey again in time to 1971 on the movie set of Le Mans. On this iconic movie, Steve McQueen portrayed race automotive driver Michael Delaney and drove an equally legendary Porsche 917K with Gulf livery. Surprisingly, it was the watch he wore that grew to grow to be as essential because the actor, automotive, and race. The unique Caliber 11-powered Heuer Monaco had presence on the display screen and has grow to be a mainstay within the TAG Heuer catalog.

The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph × Gulf

In celebration of its reclaimed place because the Official Timekeeper of System 1 and because the title sponsor of the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, TAG Heuer is releasing a brand new limited-edition Monaco. Collaborating to create a brand new Gulf model of the watch isn’t a novel thought, however the shade scheme is a primary. The watch, with a fine-grained silver dial and the acquainted blue and orange stripes working down the correct aspect, mimics McQueen’s racing swimsuit.

Maybe in a nod to the high-tech, light-weight supplies in race vehicles, the 39mm by 47.4mm case is manufactured from bead-blasted Grade 2 titanium. The results of the case ending is a extra instrument-like watch than the usual, brighter metal variations. As this can be a sports activities watch, the Monaco has a water resistance ranking of 100 meters.

Not the primary Gulf Monaco

As talked about, a TAG Heuer Monaco with Gulf livery isn’t a brand new thought. A special-edition Caliber 11 mannequin debuted in 2018 with a blue dial and was in manufacturing for a number of years. In 2022, a brand new collaboration debuted with the in-house TH20-00. This meant that the pushers and crown have been on the correct aspect of the case. Now, the Caliber 11 is again, and even when the general design is acquainted, it’s totally different sufficient to create curiosity.

A special dial design

Other than the dial shade, there are different variations within the newest Monaco Chronograph × Gulf. The layered dial has black sub-dials exhibiting working seconds and a 30-minute counter. Additionally, and this looks like a primary, the luminous materials is reserved for the central hour and minute palms. As a substitute, the watch has printed black hour dots and utilized brushed steel indexes. The purple shade can be lacking from the central hand. Orange takes its place. Central palms with black particulars tone down the look as nicely. After all, the friendly-looking Gulf emblem sits under the middle. Lastly, the dial has a black-on-white date wheel inside a beveled window. All informed, this model might be probably the most technical-looking but. That’s a shock contemplating the sunshine tone.

Caliber 11 inside

The crown place on the left aspect of the case is a giveaway that the brand new Gulf Monaco makes use of the TAG Heuer Caliber 11. This automated has a Sellita SW300 base and makes use of a Dubois-Dépraz 2006 module. It has a working frequency of 28,800vph and 40 hours of energy reserve. The mixture of motion and module requires 59 jewels!

A alternative of straps

The newest Monaco Chronograph × Gulf ships with two straps and a titanium push-button folding clasp. A conventional blue leather-based perforated racing strap with orange stitching is predicted. A enjoyable shock is the white Nomex strap with orange stitching. For these unfamiliar with the fabric, it’s the identical fabric used for race automotive drivers’ fire-resistant fits and attire. It would present indicators of dust simply, however the materials may be cleaned and is thought for its sturdiness. In any case, I like the hassle from TAG Heuer, and I ponder why we haven’t seen a strap like this earlier than!

Ultimate impressions and pricing

For a lot of readers, the thought of one other limited-edition Monaco won’t sound thrilling. I’d are inclined to agree if the watch didn’t carry one thing enjoyable or distinctive to the desk. The brand new Monaco Chronograph × Gulf does that nicely. It appears totally different sufficient with the sunshine dial, blasted titanium case, and Nomex strap. For CHF 9,300, that’s heady territory, however TAG Heuer appears to know what its die-hard followers need with these items. As a nod to the unique movie’s launch 12 months, this watch will see a run of 971 items. Tell us your ideas on this newest racing-themed Monaco within the feedback under.

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