TAG Heuer Monaco

The TAG Heuer Monaco is an industry icon. Originally introduced in 1969, it was one of the first automatic chronographs. Two years later, it would make its Hollywood debut on Steve McQueen's wrist in the classic film "Le Mans." What's more, it was the world's first water-resistant chronograph with a square case.

In fact, the case is what makes this timepiece so distinctive to this day. Jack Heuer is responsible for its unique square design. Another distinctive feature is the position of the crown on the left-hand side at 9 o'clock on many models. Its chronograph pushers sit on the opposite side at 2 and 4 o'clock. This watch gets its unusual layout from the Calibre 11, also known as the Chronomatic.

Monaco models produced by TAG Heuer between 1997 and 2019 are usually powered by modified calibers from movement suppliers ETA or Sellita. Since 2019, the brand has only used these movements under the name Calibre 11 for versions of the watch with a left-sided crown. The in-house caliber Heuer 02 sets the pace in versions of the Monaco with a right-sided crown.

At Watches and Wonders 2024, TAG Heuer presented the Split-Seconds Chronograph, a variant of the Monaco that allows the wearer to measure two different time intervals simultaneously thanks to a rattrapante function. The TH81-00 manufacture caliber ticks in these 138,000 USD watches.

Reasons to Buy a TAG Heuer Monaco

• Worn by Steve McQueen in the film "Le Mans"
• Legendary square chronograph with a cult following
• Monaco Split-Seconds powered by an in-house movement with rattrapante function
• Collector's pieces from the 1960s and 70s with the Chronomatic Calibre 11
• Many color and caliber options

You can buy an unworn TAG Heuer Monaco on Chrono24 from around 6,200 USD. This level of investment will get you ref. CBL2113 with the Calibre Heuer 02 and a black dial, for example. The reference CAW211P is powered by the Calibre 11 and has a blue dial. This model costs slightly more, at 6,700 USD. The Monaco CBL2116 has a green dial and is equipped with the Heuer 02. This model changes hands for roughly 11,200 USD.

Keep an eye out for ref. 1133 if you're looking for a vintage, Steve McQueen-style piece. One of these models will set you back about 22,400 USD.

The Monaco variants WAW2170 and CBW2182 occupy the upper end of the price spectrum. The former is powered by the caliber V4 with a belt drive and costs around 67,200 USD when new. The latter Monaco is equipped with a rattrapante function. TAG Heuer makes this watch only on request and charges a list price of 138,000 USD.

In 2009, TAG Heuer introduced a new line of Monaco Calibre 11 and Calibre 12 watches. These names can be a bit misleading, as these watches are not remakes of the famous models from the 1960s. In fact, the Swiss manufacturer still equips these newer models with Sellita or ETA base movements and a Dubois Dépraz chronograph module. You can distinguish between the two variants by the position of the crown. The Calibre 12 has its crown and pushers on the right, while the Calibre 11 uses the historical layout with the crown on the left.

Otherwise, these two timepieces are identical. The small seconds sits at 3, the date display at 6, and the minute counter at 9 o'clock. The blue version of the Monaco Calibre 11 bears the reference number CAW211P and costs around 6,700 USD in unworn condition. If you'd prefer a black dial and a right-sided crown, then the Monaco Caliber 12 (ref. CAW2111) is suitable. This model is significantly more affordable and costs around 4,300 USD.

For something more colorful, you should turn to the Monaco Gulf models with the Calibre 11. Their dark blue dials feature light blue and orange vertical stripes – the official colors of Gulf Racing. Plan to spend about 8,300 USD on a mint-condition piece.

TAG Heuer unveiled the first Monaco with the in-house Heuer 02 caliber in 2019, two years after the movement made its debut in an Autavia chronograph. The Heuer 02 boasts an 80-hour power reserve, meaning it can run for nearly twice as long as the other automatic calibers in the Monaco collection.

Except for the crown position, the CBL2111 is very reminiscent of the original Monaco from 1969. The case is made of stainless steel and measures 39 x 39 mm. The blue sunburst dial features silver subdials at 3 and 9 o'clock and silver indices. You'll also find a small seconds and date display at 6 o'clock. The chronograph hands are red, while the blue alligator leather strap perfectly matches the dial. Prices for this model sit around 6,500 USD on Chrono24. If you want a stainless steel bracelet, you should budget around 340 USD more.

The Monaco celebrated its 50th birthday in 2019. To mark the occasion, TAG Heuer presented a total of five limited editions, each representing a decade of Monaco's history. The watches are named after their respective decades; however, there are some shared features across all five models. Each watch features a 39-mm stainless steel case and the Sellita-based Calibre 11. Furthermore, they are all limited to runs of just 1,696 pieces each and have an official list price of 7,500 USD. So far, each variant has increased significantly in price. Plan to spend between 8,900 and 15,700 USD on one of these anniversary models.

Green has become a trendy color for watch dials in recent years. TAG Heuer also took note of this trend and released a Monaco with a green dial in 2021. The reference number CBL2116 is a special edition limited to 500 pieces. Depending on the angle, its sunburst dial appears in different shades of green. The manufacturer has also equipped this timepiece with black subdials at 3 and 9 o'clock and silver-colored hands and indices. Like all modern Monaco models, the Calibre Heuer 02 with an 80-hour power reserve powers this wristwatch. You should budget around 10,500 USD for an example in mint condition.

With the Monaco Chronograph Skeleton, TAG Heuer presented a model of the Monaco with a skeletonized dial. The case of these variants is made of titanium and has a diameter of 39 mm. The watch is available in the dial colors "Original Blue," "Racing Red," and "Turquoise." The latter variant has a black PVD-coated case. The same colors can be found on the column wheel and the oscillating weight of the in-house caliber Heuer 02 inside. Color-coordinated to match the dial of each watch, the straps are made from a combination of leather and rubber. The Monaco Chronograph Skeleton "Original Blue" (ref. CBL2182) changes hands on Chrono24 for roughly 10,200 USD in mint condition. The Monaco "Turquoise" ref. CBL2184 will set you back about 10,600 USD, while the "Racing Red" ref. CBL2183 is available for around 10,400 USD.

Monaco Night Driver

In 2023, TAG Heuer launched the limited edition Monaco Night Driver (ref. CBL2181) with a 39-mm titanium case. The main feature of this black-coated watch is its opal gray dial, the outer edges and subdials of which glow blue in the dark. This means that the watch can be read for up to three hours while driving at night in difficult conditions. At the heart of the watch the Heuer 02 caliber, which features a black oscillating weight. The wearer can view the movement through the watch's sapphire crystal case back. The timepiece is worn on a black calfskin leather strap with white decorative stitching. A mint example of this watch, which is limited to 600 pieces, has a price tag of around 9,740 USD.

In 2024, TAG Heuer introduced two new Monaco models with the name "Monaco Split-Seconds." The watches are equipped with a rattrapante function, which, thanks to an additional second hand, makes it possible to measure two different time intervals simultaneously. Both models are made of titanium and measure 41 mm in diameter. The Monaco Split-Seconds is available in blue (ref. CBW2182.FC8339) and red (ref. CBW2181.FC8322), with the case of the latter version being coated in black. The color is also found on the indices, hands, separate rattrapante pushers on the left side of the case, and on the textile strap. The Monaco Split-Seconds is powered by the in-house automatic caliber Heuer TH81-00 with a 65-hour power reserve.

The Monaco Split Seconds is produced by TAG Heuer on request only. Both models have a list price of 138,000 USD each. In April 2024, an unworn example was available on Chrono24 for as little as 95,200 USD.

The Monaco V4 is an extraordinary member of the Monaco family. TAG Heuer first presented it as a concept watch in 2004, before releasing a limited edition of 150 pieces in 2009. What makes this watch so unique is its caliber. It's the first caliber to feature a linear tungsten mass, Heuer's patented belt drive system, and a V-shaped plate with four ball-bearing-mounted barrels. The barrels are designed to resemble the cylinders of a Formula 1 racing car engine.

You can purchase the titanium version of this unique watch for around 30,200 USD. If you'd prefer the platinum edition, the price climbs to between 39,000 and 68,000 USD depending on its condition.

The base caliber for the ref. CS2110 is the ETA 2892 or the Sellita SW300-1. Like the Calibre 11, the chronograph module comes from Dubois Dépraz. The watch has a right-sided crown, a black dial, a small seconds at 3, a date display at 6, and a minute counter at 9. This timepiece was produced in a limited edition of 5,000 pieces and costs around 4,260 USD.

The Monaco Sixty Nine CW9110 is a special reversible variant with two movements – a manual caliber and a quartz movement. The mechanical movement, the ETA 7001, powers the conventional time display with three hands. The quartz movement on the reverse side is an extremely accurate stopwatch and can also function as an alarm. This watch costs around 4,300 USD in mint condition.

The original version of the Monaco bears the reference number 1133 and, like the Autavia and the Carrera, was one of the first watches to be powered by the then new Chronomatic caliber 11. This movement was the pinnacle of watchmaking technology at the time and was based on a micro-rotor caliber from Büren. A Dubois Dépraz module provides the chronograph function. However, this movement was only used for a short period of time before it was replaced by the more reliable Calibre 12, which ticks at a higher frequency. Both movements feature a minute counter at 3, a date display at 6, and an hour counter at 9 o'clock. There is no small seconds dial, so you can only tell if the watch is running by the movement of the minute hand.

Heuer only ever made a few thousand copies of this 39-mm stainless steel timepiece with a blue or gray dial. Today, well-maintained Monaco 1133s are coveted collector's items and demand prices of approximately 22,400 USD.

Ref. 1533 has the same case and basic design as the 1133. However, it gets its power from the trimmed-down Chronomatic Calibre 15. Instead of an hour counter, this movement has a small seconds subdial at 10 o'clock. The minute counter and date display retain their respective positions at 3 and 6 o'clock. This timepiece changes hands on Chrono24 for roughly 8,400 USD.