Ever since showing on the wrist of Steve McQueen within the 1971 racing movie “Le Mans,” the TAG Heuer Monaco has been intently related to the world of traditional motorsports. There’s all the time been a whiff of the glamour of ‘60s and ‘70s racing in regards to the mannequin, and when the model introduced its partnership because the official sponsor and timekeeper of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, held together with the world-famous Method 1 Monaco Grand Prix, the namesake mannequin line was an apparent alternative to steer the cost. Though the 2020 Grand Prix de Monaco Historique is one in all numerous occasions canceled within the wake of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the model has pressed on with its launch of the commemorative mannequin, the TAG Heuer Monaco Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. Restricted to solely 1000 items, this distinctive model provides a racy new shade palette and a delicate Monegasque contact to the trendy Monaco formulation.
What you see is what you get with the case of the TAG Heuer Monaco Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. For essentially the most half, this is identical 39mm sq. stainless-steel case used for practically each present Monaco, with its iconic rounded sq. case strains and wide-angled chronograph pushers. That is the “trendy” variant in distinction to the strict reissue model of Calibre 11 fashions, indicated by the three o’clock crown, however the one main distinguishing issue right here is the sapphire show caseback. The Monaco Grand Prix de Monaco Historique provides particular printed textual content to the crystal itself, together with a serial quantity engraving across the edge.
Whereas the case is delicate about its adjustments to the usual mannequin, there’s no mistaking the dial of the TAG Heuer Monaco Grand Prix de Monaco Historique for a run-of-the-mill instance. The placing silver-on-red shade scheme is instantly eye-catching, but it surely’s on nearer inspection that this mixture actually units itself aside. The fiery pink of the outer dial is completed with a dynamic sunburst, as is the interior silver dial, whereas the remainder of the dial parts strictly comply with the white and pink sample right here. With most Monaco designs choosing a three-tone (sunburst blue, with white and pink accents) format, the Monaco Grand Prix de Monaco Historique feels a bit extra cohesive and targeted than the norm. Somewhat than a prolonged little bit of particular version dial textual content, this watch handles the issue of asserting its partnership in a far defter and extra attention-grabbing approach. Between 1 and a couple of o’clock on the sting of the silver interior dial is a stylized retro Grand Prix automobile, the image of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique occasion. It’s a playful added element to an already flamboyant design, but it surely’s troublesome to not want that this piece had been positioned maybe the place the “Computerized” dial textual content sits at 6 o’clock to keep away from spoiling the dial symmetry.
TAG Heuer powers the Monaco Grand Prix de Monaco Historique with the in-house Heuer 02 computerized chronograph motion. This has grow to be TAG Heuer’s flagship stablemate to the venerable Calibre 11 in recent times, with a large 80-hour energy reserve and the prized mixture of column wheel and vertical clutch chronograph parts.
The Monaco Grand Prix de Monaco Historique is paired with a traditional black leather-based small gap rally strap with a deployant clasp. This can be a signature pairing for the Monaco line, and the simplicity right here permits the particular dial to take heart stage.
Whereas the 2020 Grand Prix de Monaco Historique itself might have fallen sufferer to COVID-19-related cancellation, TAG Heuer’s celebratory mannequin stays an attention-grabbing addition to the present lineup. The bizarre circumstances surrounding its debut do beg the query of how this limited-edition mannequin will probably be remembered by future collectors, nevertheless. Will the affiliation with an occasion that by no means occurred make the watch a fascination sooner or later? Time will inform, however the placing shade mixture will possible be remembered by followers of the model for a protracted whereas. Just one,000 examples of the TAG Heuer Monaco Grand Prix de Monaco Historique will probably be made and will probably be out there by means of approved sellers in August 2020 for an MSRP of 6,700 CHF. For extra info, please go to the model’s web site.
