Horologii

TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 Watch Review

Over the past year, TAG Heuer have celebrated the 50th anniversary of their iconic Monaco timepiece. The latest launch for 2019 commemorates the collection at new heights with the TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 watch showcasing both a new and improved appearance and a fantastic technological debut for the Swiss manufacturer. For the first time in its half a century history, the TAG Heuer Monaco will be powered by an in-house manufacture movement.

The TAG Heuer Monaco is legendary. The model was first created in 1969 and was marketed as the world’s first waterproof automatic chronograph with a square case, a disruptive product for the watchmaking industry. Then in 1970, American actor Steve McQueen wore the Monaco in the classic Hollywood film ‘Le Mans’, and with the timepiece highly visible during the film, the TAG Monaco quickly became one of the most recognisable sport watches in the world. To this day, the sport of motor racing and Steve McQueen have become synonymous with the Monaco and the TAG Heuer brand. Its legendary status was cemented further in July 2012 when one of the Monaco watches worn by Steve McQueen sold at a Hollywood memorabilia auction at the staggering price of 650,000 US Dollars.

The new TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 watch will instantly remind you of the very watch Steve McQueen wore with its striking blue dial, sleek square case and sophisticated alligator leather strap. There have been some slight changes to the design including some re-engineering to the interior of the case to accommodate the new in-house manufacture calibre and the dial has also been marginally revamped to look a lot more like the early Monaco models.

The dial showcases a radiant blue PVD sunray finish complimented by a navy alligator leather strap with gorgeous blue stitch detailing alongside updated silver opaline counters at 3 and 9 o clock, eight tri-faceted indexes and a new permanent second indicator at 6 o clock. The TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 watch also wouldn’t be the same without its sporty red accents this time found on the central seconds hand and chronograph counter hands. The dial is protected by scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment, a fixed bezel and a 39mm fine brushed and polished stainless steel case promising a water resistance of 100 metres.

Turn the TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 watch over and get a glimpse of the fantastic Calibre Heuer 02 automatic winding movement through the glass case back. This high precision Swiss made calibre was first launched in 2017 and has been used in several special edition TAG Heuer watches since. The famously thin movement equips the Monaco with an impressive power reserve of 80 hours alongside central hands for hour, minutes and chronograph seconds, subsidiary seconds dial, two chronograph counters for 12 hours and 30 minutes and a large date window at 6 o clock.

We honestly can’t get enough of the TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 watch, and its great to see the brand celebrating one of its most iconic and historic models along with their advanced in-house watchmaking expertise. Retailing at a promising price of £4,895, the timepiece is available to order today on the Jura Watches website. You can also find other TAG Heuer watch reviews on Horologii here.

Specifications: TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 Watch (CBL2111.FC6453)

  • Case Size: 39mm
  • Case Material: Stainless steel
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
  • Bezel: Fixed
  • Water Resistance: 100 metres
  • Case Back: Exhibition
  • Movement: Calibre Heuer 02 Manufacture automatic movement
  • Functions: Central hands for hour, minutes and chronograph seconds, subsidiary continuous seconds, chronograph counters for 12 hours and 30 minutes, date
  • Power Reserve: 80 hours
  • Jewels: 33
  • Frequency: 28,800 vph
  • Dial: Blue sunray brushed with silver counters, rhodium plated indexes and white Superluminova hour and minute hands
  • Strap: Navy blue alligator leather
  • Buckle: Stainless steel folding buckle
  • RRP: £4,895