SpotlightBeat The Blues: Presenting The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue

The TAG Heuer Monaco, named after the principality that shares a geographical boundary with France, and known for one of the toughest Formula One circuits in the world, has become a symbol of racing in its own right. Introduced in 1969, the Heuer Monaco featured the brand’s first automatic chronograph movement in a water-resistant square case. It also stood out for the position of the crown at nine o’clock, as a nod to the fact that the watch did not need to be manually wound. The Monaco has since housed the brand’s updated calibre 12, with the crown at a traditional three o’clock position, and while these watches were just as characteristic, the only thing missing was the romance of the original calibre 11. Now, the brand bring back this calibre 11—with the crown at nine—for their Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue in a white dial, with distinct French racing blue highlights.

Racing Hues Of The Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue

Before liveries and cars were decorated with team colours, national colours were assigned to identify the country that a race car belonged to. Britain had a deep forest green; Italy, its iconic Ferrari red; Germany was identified by white, and later, silver; and French cars donned a beautiful shade of azure—the French racing blue.

It is this distinct blue that TAG Heuer have used in their latest Monaco Chronograph. Against a silver sunray brushed dial, French racing blue colours the two squared sub-counters—a 30-minute recorder at three, and the running seconds at nine—and the perforated leather racing strap that the watch is paired with. Playing up this rich azure shade while also keeping it to a minimum was a well-reasoned choice as the blue definitely stands out, adding a refreshing break from the silver of the dial, while also not overpowering the watch in any way—just the right amount of sporty to not undermine its seriousness.

Eight distinct horizontal rhodium-plated hour markers decorate the dial, and a vertical baton shaped marker sits at the 12 o’clock position with a funky lime yellow accent. Also in lime yellow, to offset the blue of the recorders and to add a bit of the thrill associated with racing, is a lacquered central chronograph seconds hand. Again, it’s not too much yellow, and not too little, just right enough for the dial, which evokes the dashboard of a race car. Rhodium-plated timekeeping hands, and dotted blue hour markers around the circular minute track are filled with a light blue Super-LumiNova, aiding legibility even in low light conditions.

Against a silver sunray brushed dial of the Monaco Chronograph, French racing blue colours the two squared sub counters and the perforated leather strap the watch is paired with

₹9,18,000

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In lime yellow, to offset the blue of the recorders and to add a bit of the thrill associated with racing, is a lacquered central chronograph hand

₹9,18,000

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Eight distinct horizontal rhodium-plated hour markers decorate the dial, and a vertical baton shaped marker sits at the 12 o’clock position with a lime yellow stripe running through it

₹9,18,000

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The Romance Of Racing With The Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue

The 39mm case of the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue is made from lightweight and sturdy grade-2 titanium and features the crown at nine, and two chronograph pushers at the traditional two and four o’clock positions. This layout of crown and pushers is not only symbolic but is also oddly symmetrical. A square domed and bevelled sapphire crystal glass covers the dial, adding a dimension to the geometric aesthetic of the watch. A circular sapphire crystal window on the titanium caseback offers a view of the calibre 11 within, among the first ever automatic chronograph movements ever created, definitely the first ever housed in a water-resistant square case. Interestingly, the branding at 12 o’clock on the dial is the vintage Heuer logo, minus the TAG, another aspect of the watch that brings back the romance of the first ever squared automatic chronograph.

The 39mm case of the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue is made from lightweight and sturdy grade 2 titanium and features the crown at nine

₹9,18,000

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Two chronograph pushers are placed at the traditional two and four o’clock positions

₹9,18,000

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This layout of crown and pushers is not only symbolic but is also oddly symmetrical. A square domed and bevelled sapphire crystal glass covers the dial

₹9,18,000

Check Our Selling Price

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Available in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces only, the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue is a timepiece that celebrates the brand’s history as much as it does racing, tough Formula One circuits, or France’s iconic racing blue colour.