The TAG Heuer Chronograph Steve McQueen Made Famous Just Got Its First In-House Movement

How do you improve a design icon? You simply change what people can’t see.

In the watch world, TAG Heuer’s Monaco Chronograph is one of the greats, indelible for its square shape, its destro crown, and its signature navy blue color scheme. Perhaps it would’ve earned a cult following had it not shown up on Steve McQueen’s wrist in the 1971 film Le Mans, but we’ll never know.

Since the model’s revival back in 1997, the Swiss watchmaker has stayed pretty true to form. However, this year at Watches & Wonders in Geneva, TAG Heuer has updated the mechanical components of the Monaco in a big way, introducing its first fully in-house movement, along with a more period-correct design (in titanium cases!) for good measure.

A Square Peg in a Round World

When Heuer debuted the Monaco in 1969, it wasn’t just a watch, it was unlike any other chronograph at the time with its shape and design elements. The crown’s odd positioning was a technical necessity born from the collaborative “Project 99” effort between Heuer, Breitling, Büren, and Dubois-Dépraz to create the world’s first automatic chronograph movement, the Calibre 11. When the movement design demanded a non-traditional crown placement, they leaned into it.

The watch wasn’t a success initially, thanks to its radical design and high price point. But then the King of Cool showed up in a white racing suit, and history rewrote itself. Now the Monaco is among the most iconic racing chronographs in history.

Back to Ref. 1133

What’s new for the 2026 model isn’t just the in-house movement. TAG Heuer has taken the redesign opportunity to return the Monaco to its original formula, specifically the reference 1133, which is the actual watch McQueen wore on screen. The 1997 revival and its iterations were, by TAG’s own admission, abstractions of the original. This new generation is a more faithful translation.

The 39mm grade 5 titanium case brings sharpened edges, gently curved sides, and a sapphire crystal that’s now closer to a true square. The caseback profile has been reworked so its center section slopes toward the case edges, improving how the watch sits on the wrist.

The Movement Is the Story

For the first time in its history, the Monaco Chronograph runs on a fully integrated, in-house movement. The Calibre TH20-11 is built on TAG’s existing TH20-00 platform but has been reconfigured from the ground up for the Monaco’s bicompax layout, with a chronograph minutes counter at 3 o’clock, running seconds at 9 o’clock, and a date window at 6. The name TH20-11 is a direct nod to the original Calibre 11 that started it all.

It boasts a 28,800 vph beat rate, a column wheel and vertical clutch for cleaner chronograph engagement, 31 jewels, and an 80-hour power reserve. Its predecessor relied on a Sellita SW300 base with a Dubois-Dépraz module bolted on top. It was the one hurdle the Monaco hadn’t eclipsed, until now.

Three Colorways to Choose From

The collection launches in three variants. The blue opaline “McQueen” dial with red-tipped hands and rhodium indices is the obvious anchor piece. There’s also a sunray-brushed emerald green that pulls from British Racing Green tradition. And rounding it out is a blacked-out dial in a two-tone titanium and 18K rose gold case for those who want the Monaco to be a little more formal.

All three wear on a perforated calfskin racing strap with a titanium folding clasp.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

The blue and green dial models are priced at $9,350, while the titanium and rose gold black dial version runs $13,050. The collection is available now through TAG Heuer boutiques and the brand’s website.

Recap

TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph 2026 Refresh

TAG Heuer finally gave the Monaco its own in-house movement with the new Calibre TH20-11, while also reworking the titanium case to better reflect the original 1969 reference 1133 worn by Steve McQueen.

Learn More: TAG Heuer