TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre Heuer 02 watch blue dial crocodile strap 39 mm

To make a long story short

The TAG Heuer Monaco celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019. This icon of modern watchmaking began his career in half-tone before Steve McQueen fans adopted him for good.Boldly modernized in countless versions, this highly sought-after timepiece is getting a complete technological facelift this year. Caliber 12 is giving way to the in-house Heuer 02 caliber!

A little bit of history

The Monaco is above all an innovative model. Indeed, it was the first square monobloc case that was perfectly waterproof. This square waterproof case was designed by the Piquerez company; water resistance is ensured by an ingenious pressure system produced by four notches clipped on the back of the case. The Monaco was also the first watch equipped with an automatic chronograph movement with a micro-rotor; the Chronomatic calibre 11. All the elements of success were combined, yet this innovative watch with its stunning design did not meet with the expected success. Everything changed in 1971 when it appeared in the film Le Mans. This marketing coup was not the result of yet another product placement, but of chance, to which Jack Heuer gave a little help. To blend in with his character Steve McQueen was helped by the professional driver Jo Siffert with whom he befriended. To stick as closely as possible to the role, Steve McQueen wore the same suit, on which the Heuer badge was sewn, and the same watch as Jo Siffert. The star's aura did the rest and propelled the TAG Heuer Monaco to the firmament.

The icon is modernizing

It was in 2009, for its 40th anniversary, that Monaco was equipped with Calibre 12. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, TAG Heuer introduced the in-house Heuer Calibre 02 in the legendary case. This in-house automatic chronograph movement, developed and produced by TAG Heuer, incorporates 168 components including a column wheel and vertical clutch. This explains, among other things, its new price positioning. Precise and reliable, this new caliber beats at a frequency of 4 Hz and has a power reserve of 80 hours, enough to fuel the legend for another great decade...