To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of Monaco chronograph, in March 1969, over the months from May to October 2019, TAG Heuer offered five Limited Edition models of new Monaco chronographs. Each model was limited to 169 pieces, and incorporated the design codes of one of the five decades in the life of the Monaco. As such, the five Limited Edition Monacos were not based on actual models that had been issued, but rather showed what the Monaco might have looked like, had this chronograph reflected the different styles of the decades.
TAG Heuer created a special site to introduce these five Limited Edition models, located HERE. In this posting, we re-publish the narrative provided on the TAG Heuer site, with a selection of photographs of the five models. In addition, we provide the specifications for the Monaco 50th Anniversary Limited Edition chronographs, both the specifications that were common to all five models and the elements that were unique to each model. We have taken these specifications from press releases issued by TAG Heuer with the launch of each model.
To learn more about the history of the Monaco and the ideas behind the five 50th Anniversary Limited Editions, watch this excellent video from Monochrome Watches. As always, you can click on any of the images or browse through the Gallery at the bottom of this posting to see high resolution versions of these images.
Heuer Monaco – 50th Anniversary of an Icon
Faithful to the origins of the collection, the reissue of the Heuer Monaco perpetuates its avant-garde spirit. A look back at the history of a mythic watch.
1966 – Project 99, the Quest of Excellence
Heuer secretly partners with other watchmakers to design the world’s first automatic chronograph. Code name of the operation: Project 99.
1969 – Geneva Intercontinental Hotel, World Premier
Heuer unveils the Calibre 11. This unique movement is integrated into the square and waterproof case of the Heuer Monaco, a watch more disruptive than ever.
Calibre 11, a Technical Revolution. With a power reserve of 40 hours, the crown on the left and the chronograph pushers on the right, Heuer revolutionizes the codes of watchmaking.
1970 – Steve McQueen, King of Cool and Monaco
The legend is born with the movie Le Mans. Like his friend, Jo Siffert, McQueen decides to wear a Heuer flocked suit, as well as a Monaco Heuer on his wrist.
Heuer Monaco, Cool Incarnate
Boldness and endurance: the Heuer Monaco combines savoir-faire and a unique style. Ground-breaking, this legendary watch leaves its mark on each generation.
A legendary timepiece, the Heuer Monaco has survived five decades without losing its avant-garde spirit. To honour this half-century of existence, TAG Heuer has designed five limited editions reminding the trends, colours and shapes of each of these periods.
THE FIRST DECADE – 1969 to 1979
The Legacy of the Unforgettable
With its yellow notes and the “Cotes de Geneve”, the dial of this special edition is reminiscent of another iconic watch from the seventies: the Heuer Carrera 110.253B. A masterpiece of purity and sporting elegance that was also one of Jack Heuer’s favorite watches.
An Edition Engraved for Eternity
Like the original Calibre 11 model, the back of the square case is closed. Each timepiece, whose series number is engraved, also features a “1969-1979” that celebrates the birth decade of the Monaco.
Monaco Limited Edition for 1969 to 1979 – Distinctive Elements
- Green dial features brown and yellow accents, and Côtes de Genève finishing
- Registers are sunray black gold; yellow racing stripe on running seconds register
- Brown calfskin leather strap, polished folding clasp in stainless steel
- Reference CAW211V.FC6466
THE SECOND DECADE – 1979 to 1989
Many Colours and a Red Wave
Vibrant and flashy, fashion and pop culture are more colourful than ever. On the race tracks, the greatest racing teams impose the famous red, while the world is witnessing the rise of a brilliant young pilot: Ayrton Senna, a TAG Heuer ambassador.
Motorsports, the True DNA of the Brand
TAG Heuer history is closely linked to motorsport. The red dial is accompanied by two satin-brushed rhodium-plated chronograph counters, with a unique cushion shape. This set celebrates the company’s eternal passion for racing and performance.
A tribute to the imagery of motor racing, the black leather strap with red interior of the Heuer Monaco 80s is proud of its heritage. It is also adorned with relatively large holes, frequent on the leather of racing watches at the time.
Monaco Limited Edition for 1979 to 1989 – Distinctive Elements
- Red dial with sunray finishing, and black and white accents
- Fine-brushed rhodium-plated registers, with curved edges
- Black calfskin leather strap, with red accents and polished folding clasp in stainless steel
- Reference CAW211W.FC6467
THE THIRD DECADE – 1989 to 1999
Don’t Crack Under Pressure
Avant-garde, performance and passion. These are the reasons for TAG Heuer’s existence, which reinterprets its iconic model: the TAG Heuer Monaco. A new graphic version, whose textures and colours remind us of the world of video games of the 1990s.
A Dial Full of Symbols
The grey and textured dial evokes different kind of materials: the asphalt of the race tracks, but also the concrete of industrial buildings. The design also pays tribute to a booming industry: video games.
A Logo that Reinvents Itself
For the return of the iconic square piece in the collection, the Monaco logo gives up the serifs and adopts a more modern identity. A strong choice of TAG Heuer, which is mainly inspired by avant-garde design, to develop its models.
Monaco Limited Edition for 1989 to 1999 – Distinctive Elements
- Grey grained, rhodium-plated dial, with red and blue accents
- Registers are sandblasted rhodium-plated, with blue borders
- Blue calfskin leather strap, with red stitching and polished folding clasp in stainless steel
- Reference CAW211X.FC6468
THE FOURTH DECADE – 1999 to 2009
Innovation and Concept Watches
Faithful to its avant-garde state of mind, TAG Heuer is creating a lot of unique models. Like the car constructors, the company presents several concept-watches which symbolizes its savoir-faire and the talent of its watchmakers.
A Mix of Shapes
Displaying sober and elegant colors, the dial still stands out by a combination of round and square shapes. An aesthetic nod to the architecture and products of the time, whose contrasts in form reflect a harmonious yet innovative modernity.
A Refined and Neat Look
Between sobriety and strong details, the TAG Heuer Monaco breaks with the colorful trends of previous decades. The model thus turns black, while highlighting its chronograph functions with white areas.
Monaco Limited Edition for 1999 to 2009 – Distinctive Elements
- Black and white opaline dial, with red and orange accents
- Registers are fine-brushed white opaline
- Black calfskin leather strap, with white stitching and polished folding clasp in stainless steel
- Reference CAW211Y.FC6469
THE FIFTH DECADE – 2009 to 2019
An Ever-Expanding Universe
Traditionally linked to motorsports but now committed in several sports (football, tennis, golf), TAG Heuer also relies on its many ambassadors to have a word in the worlds of culture and lifestyle.
Dark is the New Black
The dial stands out with its almost “full black” modern design. The charcoal color, the black gold indexes and the black-bottomed date disc are enhanced by two rhodium-plated chronograph counters and subtle touches of red.
A Bold and Trendy Case
Faithful to the disruptive spirit of its predecessor and breaking with the traditional shiny aspect, this model presents a box made of microbeads for a mat finishing. A look that makes the Heuer Monaco an even more avant-garde watch.
Monaco Limited Edition for 2009 to 2019 – Distinctive Elements
- Sandblasted steel case
- Charcoal sunray brushed dial, with black-gold accents
- Registers are rhodium-plated, with sunray finish
- Black calfskin leather strap, with white stitching and sandblasted folding clasp in stainless steel
- Reference CAW211Z.FC6470
FEATURES SHARED BY ALL MODELS
All five of the TAG Heuer 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Monaco chronographs share the following features with the “standard” TAG Heuer Monaco “Calibre 11”, Reference CAW 211P:
- Movement is TAG Heuer automatic Calibre 11, with 59 jewels, frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour; 40-hour power reserve
- Display has 30-minute chronograph recorder at 9 o’clock and running seconds at 3 o’clock; date at 6 o’clock
- Case is stainless steel; 39 millimeters across the dial; sapphire crystal; water resistant to 100 meters (10 bar); stainless steel case-back
- Crown on left side of the case; rectangular pushers on the right side
