It goes without saying that TAG Heuer’s vast portfolio of luxury watches is full of “icons” but one particular design which has stood the test of time longer than most is that of the Monaco. Upholding the Swiss watch manufacturer’s own passions for motorsport, the TAG Heuer Monaco has been launched in several variations over the years, but now as part of this year’s Watches & Wonders event, TAG Heuer premiers a new 2022 TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition featuring their in-house Heuer 02 movement for the first time.
To fully appreciate the newly refined design of the 2022 TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition, we must first cast our minds back to TAG’s first encounter with Gulf. During the 1960’s and 70’s, Gulf and their vibrant blue and orange livery was an unmissable trope of motorsport adding to the racing team’s outfits and the cars themselves. One of the main partners of Gulf was that of JW Automotive Engineering who remain best known for their involvement in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with wins in 1968, 1969 and 1975. The team also fielded entries in 1970 and 1971 with some of the most distinguished drivers of the era including famed Swiss pilot Jo Siffert who went aboard the Porsche 917. During this time, Siffert became one of TAG Heuer’s first brand ambassadors and was also the driving coach for Steve McQueen during the 1971 movie Le Mans. It was this relationship that sparkled the now unbreakable bond between Gulf, TAG Heuer and Porsche.
The first TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition was launched in 2007 and since, the special collection has been one of the brand’s most successful and collectible. Now, the series expands again with the 2022 TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition which delivers the same blue and orange livery but with a more refined stainless steel case and the in-house Heuer 02 movement. The case retains the legendary square shape with a sizing of 39mm by 39mm with a nice height of only 15mm. The same angular yet short lugs are present but with newly finely brushed surfaces and polished accents. The sapphire crystal glass is also bevelled and surprisingly, the typically positioned 9 o’clock crown is placed at the conventional 3 o’clock marker. We’re also welcomed to a 100m water resistance and a perforated blue leather strap with orange lining. While the strap looks similar, it features newly sized holes of different sizes to reflect the design of the original 1970 Monaco watches.
One of the main developments for the new 2022 TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition watch is the dial. It still showcases the iconic colours of Gulf but this time in a more contemporary colour combination. Dark blue makes up the main part of the dial while turquoise and orange form the stripe and for the first time, the minute subsidary counter at 3 o’clock. The opaline sunray brushed backdrop continues to ensure easy legibility with Superluminova coated hour and minute hands and an orange coloured chronograph seconds hand. The 12 o’clock index is replaced by the number “60”, as a nod to the racing number on the Porsche Gulf racing cars and the Gulf logo, finished in white for the first time, is placed at 6 o’clock.
Housed within the 2022 TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition watch is the Calibre Heuer 02 automatic winding movement, an in-house Swiss made calibre which before today had yet to power a Monaco Golf Edition watch. It is an integrated chronograph movement with a column wheel mechanism and vertical clutch, a power reserve of 80 hours and a frequency of 28,800vph. The movement can be admired through the exhibition case back alongside its personalised oscillating mass and column wheel which has been blackened and coloured to match the Gulf orange pantone.
With the release of each special edition TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf watch, you’ll also get a box and a special travel pouch decorated with the refreshed Gulf colours. The design is expected to be released in May 2022 but to be one of the first, you can pre-order the watch on the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition (CBL2115.FC6494)
- Case Size: 39mm x 39mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Bevelled sapphire crystal
- Crown: Non screw down
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Calibre Heuer 02, in-house, automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with 30 minute and 12 hour counter, date
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Jewels: 33
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Blue sunray brushed with orange and turquoise accents
- Strap: Blue calfskin leather with orange lining
- Buckle: Folding with double safety push buttons
- Limited Edition: No
- Release Date: May 2022
- RRP: £5,850
