To honour the 50-year milestone, TAG Heuer is launching throughout 2019 five new Monaco models that capture the design spirit of each decade since the launch of the original in 1969.
TAG Heuer unveiled the fourth timepiece in the Monaco Through Time saga in the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures at the Tokyo National Museum in Japan. The first of these models, inspired by the years 1969 to 1979, was unveiled at the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix in May, and the second limited edition, celebrating the period from 1979 to 1989, was presented in June in Le Mans, France. The third edition of the new Monaco watch, inspired by the 1990s, made its grand debut in New York in July.
The host country was a fitting choice for this grand event. Contemporary Japanese design revisits traditional style and uses it as an inspiration to transcend everyday objects and give them greater meaning. The Monaco, with its revolutionary and impactful design, reflects this Japanese take on design.
Capturing the bold architecture and daring design codes of the decade from 1999 to 2009, the fourth wristwatch in the Monaco Through Time line-up is a special collector’s edition with a classic black and white appearance that lets the unconventional shape of the watch truly shine.
The white opaline seconds sub-dial and chronograph minutes counter stand out from the pitch-black background. Striking red and orange touches serve as stylish hour markers and the hour and minute hands and facetted applied indexes are filled with Superluminova for improved legibility. The stainless-steel watch is presented on a perforated black calfskin strap with black lining and crisp white stitching.
As with the original, the pushers are on the right of the case while the crown is on the left – an unconventional feature that has distinguished the Monaco over the past 50 years.
The caseback of this 2000s-inspired wristwatch is engraved with the “Monaco Heuer” logo as well as “1999-2009 Special Edition” and “One of 169”. Sporting a design inspired by the original model, the stainless-steel caseback has vertical and circular brushed patterns and features a polished, vertical and circular brushed finishing. The case houses the renowned Calibre 11, a modern version of the automatic-winding chronograph movement that made its debut inside the original Monaco in 1969. This watch has been produced in an edition limited to 169 pieces.
