TAG Heuer  Monaco  Watches

TAG Heuer Monaco: It’s Hip to be Square

TAG Heuer Monaco was the first-ever square watch boasting a waterproof and automatic chronograph. It was made to fit both the vintage and contemporary looks with each Monaco timepiece cased in big square cases styled with geometric curves, a beveled crystal, and a scratch-resistant sapphire. One of the most famous models in the collection is the Monaco 1133B, also known as McQueen Monaco. The model was associated with Steve McQueen after he used it during the filming of Le Mans. 

For over 50 years, TAG Heuer has created a variety of models inspired by its rich culture and roots, using this to continue creating breathtaking and avant-garde designs. The 50th-anniversary TAG Heuer Monaco, for example, features 5 limited edition variants that each have different colors and styles based on different eras of the brand. 

Price List at a Glance 

How Much Does a TAG Heuer Monaco Cost? 

Among the most popular models under the TAG Heuer Monaco collection is the TAG Heuer Monaco Ref. CBL2111.FC6453, the first Monaco watch to have the in-house Heuer 02 movement. This two-sub dial chronograph is dressed with a timeless blue dial and a matching blue alligator strap, similar to the one sported by Steve McQueen in the 1970s. Apart from the famous blue dial, the watch also sports a sunray-brushed finish on its dial, which is encased in 39mm fine-brushed and polished steel. The watch is accented with its silver and white details and the iconic red central hand, and is equipped with an impressive 80 hours of power reserve. This model is priced at $6,350 USD.

Given the brand’s long standing association with the racing industry, for the 50th anniversary of the Gulf Racing Stripes, TAG Heuer Monaco released the Tag Heuer Monaco X Gulf Ref. CAW211R.FC6401 model. This timepiece dons the classic colors of the racing stripes: a dark blue dial with a quirky light blue and orange color scheme on the right side. The watch is accented with a red-lacquered central hand and a sporty, perforated blue leather strap with orange lining. This watch is priced starting at $6,550 USD.

Apart from automatic chronographs, the TAG Heuer Monaco also features several quartz models, including the quintessential Tag Heuer Monaco Ref. WAW131A.FC6177. This lady’s watch is slightly smaller, measuring 37mm in size. It features thick rhodium-plated indices and baton-style hands with Super-LumiNova coatings on a sleek black dial. The watch’s elegant look is finished off with a cool black alligator strap. This watch retails at $2,150 USD. 

Another gorgeous quartz watch in the collection is the TAG Heuer Monaco Ref. WAW131E.FC6420. Boasting a sunray-brushed brown dial, plated rose gold and diamond hands and indices, a clean stainless steel case and a comfortable brown alligator strap, this watch can be purchased for $2,850 USD. 

The Heuer Monaco collection also houses the last Caliber 12 Monaco model boasting a stunning grey dial—the TAG Heuer Monaco Caliber 12 Final Edition Ref. CAW211J.FC6476. It features a stainless steel casing with a vertically brushed ruthenium dial and a classic black alligator leather strap. This model is only limited to 1000 pieces, and is therefore priced at a costlier $6,100 USD. 

Another outstanding model is the Monaco V4 which was first presented in 2004 before being released in 2009 as a limited edition. It is the first watch in the world to feature optimized mechanical transmission belts and a linear winding system. Another milestone encapsulated in this timepiece: it is the first to have four barrels mounted on ball bearings, pinions, and belts. The watch reveals its movement through its anti-reflective sapphire glass and displays intricate design features, which include a tungsten ingot, linear mass, two pairs of barrels, all mounted in parallel and connected by belts. This model differs in price depending on the metal used to make it, but its price range starts at $23,500 USD and can go as high as $68,000 USD. 

TAG Heuer Steve McQueen Monaco: Vintage/Retro TAG Heuer Monaco — Is it a Good Investment? 

The famous TAG Heuer Steve McQueen Monaco was first introduced as the Monaco 1133 in 1969. The watch is equipped with the Chronomatic Caliber 11, the first automatic chronograph movement with a micro-rotor. A year after the release, the watch became synonymous with Steve McQueen after Jack Heuer brought the watch to the movie set of McQueen’s movie Le Mans. The actor was so enamoured with the watch, he could be seen sporting it in almost every scene of the movie. Because of the actor’s influence, this Monaco model quickly became one of the most sought-after sports watches. 

Even today, the famous TAG Heuer Steve McQueen Monaco is still every watch enthusiast’s dream. In 2020, the original piece worn by Steve McQueen in the movie was auctioned off in the Philips’ Racing Pulse auction in New York. After the filming of Le Mans, McQueen gave the watch to his personal mechanic, Haig Altounian, as thanks for keeping him alive. The watch has Altounian’s name engraved on the case back and was kept by him for almost 5 decades. When he finally sold it in an auction, the TAG Heuer Steve McQueen Monaco fetched a record-breaking price of $2,208,000 USD. 

This watch is just one of the six watches used in the 1971 film Le Mans, thus making it a highly-coveted piece for watch collectors. This isn’t just because of its increasing price value but because of its historical significance of being the first automatic chronograph, its striking avant-garde style, its square shape, and the fact that it was worn by Steve McQueen. 

New 2020/2021 Models 

The TAG Heuer Monaco collection is also home to several limited edition pieces like the Tag Heuer Monaco Green Dial Ref. CBL2116.FC6497 and the Tag Heuer X Grand Prix De Monaco Historique Ref CBL2114.FC6486. Both models were released in commemoration of the brand’s partnership with the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. 

In 2020, the brand released the Tag Heuer X Grand Prix De Monaco Historique, also dubbed the TAG Heuer Monaco Caliber Heuer 02. It stands out amongst all the TAG Heuer models with its exclusive red sunray dial in the iconic square casing, silvery rhodium-plated indices, hour and minute hands which play nicely off crimson minute and hour chronograph counters and a red-lacquered central hand. It is also equipped with the in-house Heuer 02 movement and a whopping 80-hour power reserve. This watch is priced starting at $6,850 USD. 

Just recently, in 2021, another model was released to celebrate Grand Prix de Monaco Historique in which TAG Heuer is the official sponsor and timekeeper. The Tag Heuer Monaco Green Dial Ref. CBL2116.FC6497, also known as the TAG Heuer Monaco Green Dial Caliber Heuer 02, is a new and fresh look for the Monaco collection as it boasts a deep and subtle green dial. Markings are engraved on the timepiece’s oscillating mass, and the column wheel of its in-house movement is also green. Much like 2020’s Monaco Caliber Heuer 02, this watch is also equipped with an in-house Heuer 02 manufactured movement and an 80h power reserve. The watch is limited to only 500 pieces and retails at $6,650 USD. 

TAG Heuer Monaco's History and Design Details

TAG Heuer is a Swiss-watchmaking company that was first established in 1860 by Edouard Heuer in St-Imier, Switzerland. At age 20, Edouard opened his own watchmaking shop and started producing silver pocket watches. In 1869, he patented a crown-operated, keyless operating system, and in 1887, he patented the oscillating pinion that can be used to start/stop a chronograph, and that is still being used today. 

Innovation in the TAG Heuer brand continued throughout the 20th century as the company designed a timekeeping instrument that was installed in vehicles. This opened a lot of doors as Heuer expanded its wrist chronographs collections and introduced the first automatic chronograph to the world in 1969 , along with the Caliber 11 Chronomatic movement. Three models were equipped with this movement, among them the TAG Heuer Monaco 1133 which arrested the world’s attention after it was used by Steve McQueen. The TAG Heuer Monaco collection was continuously developed over the years, with new Monaco models that carried the same style but with newly upgraded watchmaking features and techniques. 

Famous Patrons

The most legendary icon that has been a patron of the Heuer Monaco collection is Steve McQueen. His influence indeed made this model a highly-coveted timepiece even among today’s generation. Some other big celebrities that have also been spotted wearing and advertising the Monaco collection include TAG Heuer’s brand ambassadors, actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.

Reasons to buy TAG Heuer Monaco watches

1. 1. A revolutionary square-faced watch
2. 2. Top of the line movements which guarantee superb performance
3. 3. A blend of vintage and contemporary looks with avant-garde designs
4. 4. Waterproof automatic chronograph
5. 5. Owned and worn by famous celebrity icons Steve McQueen, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio

TAG Heuer Monaco: An Avant-Garde Icon

Ever since the start, TAG Heuer has always been known for its precise and reliable stopwatches, chronographs, and movements. The brand has achieved some of the most legendary firsts in the watchmaking industry, and many of them involve one of the TAG Heuer’s most highly-coveted collections—the TAG Heuer Monaco. Apart from its significant historical background of being the first automatic chronograph, the Heuer Monaco also features the revolutionary square case. Not only that, but this collection has also taken pride in its bold and avant-garde models that boast high precision, perfectly fitting today’s generation of watch enthusiasts.