Stop the clock: TAG Heuer's latest vintage Monaco watch is inspired by TAG Heuer's iconic Formula 1 stop watch

Despite the name, the actual TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph is indeed a replica swiss watches - it's just that the design is inspired through the iconic Heuer 60s/70s stop-watch.

Apart from it is unconventional inspiration, it also includes a successful vintage design with a stylish black and silver dial as well as black DLC titanium situation.

It's timed to coincide with the 2025 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, a year that marks TAG Heuer's return as the recognized timekeeper of F1.

If you’re reading this then you definitely probably know at least slightly about Formula 1 and its occasions, but if you don’t then listed below are four things you need to know: F1 is the fastest growing viewer sport in the world, 2025 is placed to be a particularly exciting F1 season, this weekend may be the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix - one of the most prestigious and also celebrated races in the world : and from 2025 onwards, TAG Heuer will go back to being the Official Timekeeper associated with F1. TAG Heuer is definitely present at the Monaco Grand Prix, and of course one of their own most famous watches is named following the race, but this Monaco racing weekend is some thing special for TAG Heuer.

For this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, TAG Heuer unveiled three various versions of its Monaco high quality replica watches , including a Gulf Oil-branded model that evokes probably the most famous motorsport sponsors/livelines ever, and a high-tech interpretation regarding its already distinctive Monaco split-seconds chronograph. The third Monaco Chronograph, however , has a more esoteric raison d’être: it is based on stopwatches and time instruments used by Heuer almost 50 years ago and 1970s.

On paper, it’s a bit of a good oddball. A watch inspired with a stopwatch? That might be a bit complicated, but what really puts me personally at ease is why I (and I’m sure many watch collectors) are excited about this. In short, it looks wonderful.

Let’s begin by looking back at all those stopwatches, and Heuer nearly five decades ago and 1970s. (TAG Heuer) Heuer is a 165-year-old organization, but these two decades have been the most crucial in the brand’s history. These days, F1’s official timekeeping part is more symbolic than practical, with digital timing musical instruments and on-board transponders supplied by other specialist companies, however in the 1960s, Heuer visited the forefront of keeping time technology.

39 years ago, Heuer developed the Centigraph HL205, a quartz imprinted sports timer accurate to 1 thousandth of a second, in the request of Enzo Ferrari. Enzo Ferrari was persuaded that the French team experienced cheated at the 24 Hours involving Le Mans. Heuer is the first watchmaker to work with the Formula 1 team, and consequently independently timed Ferrari utilizing the Centigraph, with Heuer timekeeper and motorcycle racer Jean Campich also appearing frequently at F1 events. During the time, Heuer's stopwatches and chronograph watches were ubiquitous in the F1 paddock, used by racing technicians and fans to document lap times, and popular by professionals in some other racing categories and occupations. https://www.grand-watch.co

In 1969, the initial Calibre 11 was launched, that was one of the first automatic chronograph actions in the world at the time. Heuer first showed this movement in the Autavia, Carrera and Monaco watches at the same time, but the Carrera along with Autavia brands already been around, while the Monaco was a brand-new and different watch, becoming the particular world's first square automatic chronograph. Its square form was original and avant-garde for its time, which undoubtedly contributed to Steve McQueen’s choice to wear it on the 1971 Le Mans stamina race - a decision which cemented the Monaco’s position as one of the most iconic race watches of all time.

Anyway, back to 2025. The actual TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph also uses a movement known as Calibre 11: this is a diverse movement from the 60s (it’s a Sellita SW300 having a Dubois Dépraz module), but nevertheless offers a left-side mounted overhead, like the watches with the initial Calibre 11/Chronomatic movements, that is a nice retro touch.

Another period-correct function is that this watch, like numerous Monaco and Carrera watches, is branded “Heuer” instead of “TAG Heuer”, with the Heuer carrera logo not only appearing within the dial but also forming the form of the clasp. The perforative rally-style strap also provides it with just the right vintage feel.

Its black-silver-opaline switch, which I think is one of the the majority of charming Monaco dials actually, is inspired by several Heuer watches, stopwatches, device dials and chronographs through the 60s and 70s, nevertheless look is most similar to the ref. 11. 401/11. 402. It is really an aluminum cased 1/10th-second stop watch, which is now very rare in addition to highly prized by enthusiasts. However , the case is not light weight aluminum, but black titanium along with DLC treatment, which gives that a unique sporty and contemporary appeal.

I love this Monaco very much, however I still have two small complaints about it. First, because it is inspired by the split-seconds chronograph, I don't understand the reason why TAG Heuer didn't use this color scheme towards the Monaco split-seconds chronograph. Next, while I like that the the queen's is on the left side like the authentic Monaco, it’s a bit of a pity that it doesn’t have TAG Heuer’s more powerful in-house TH20-00 movement. However , these are not decisive factors, and I can not think of any other replica luxury watches that captures the effective elegance of the Monaco Grand Prix better than this one.

TAG Heuer gran carrera Monaco Chronograph

Brand TAG Heuer

Model Monaco Chronograph

Reference Number CAW218F. FC6356

Case Dimensions 39mm (Depth) x 15mm (Thickness)

Case Material Sandblasted Dark DLC Grade 2 Ti

Water Resistance 100m

Crystal Sapphire front as well as back

Dial Grayscale silver opal, vintage TAG Heuer logo

Haul Width 22mm

Band Black perforated calfskin band, sandblasted black DLC Quality 2 titanium folding hold, TAG Heuer logo-shaped belt with double safety buttons

Movement Calibre eleven, Sellita SW300-1 base, automated

Power Reserve 40 hrs

Functions Hours, moments, small seconds, date, wathe