Perhaps no watch model is associated with racing culture more than TAG Heuer’s square-cased Monaco chronograph. But then again, no watch brand sparks memories of vintage racing like TAG Heuer, period. Last year, the company introduced a limited-edition Racing Blue titanium version of the Monaco with both vintage-inspired design cues and some modern touches as well. Now for 2024, this watch is back in green.
A Brief History of the Monaco Watch
When Jack Heuer aimed to reinvent the racing chronograph, he wound up inventing a whole new category. Introduced in 1969, the TAG Heuer Monaco changed the game with its unique square shape, its industry-first waterproofing, and the Caliber 11, one of the first-ever automatic chronograph movements. Perfectly blending form and function, the timepiece took its name from the Monaco Grand Prix, much like the brand’s Carrera was named after the Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico.
Perhaps due to its unorthodox presentation, it took a couple of years for the Monaco’s popularity to take off. It wasn’t until Steve McQueen hand-picked the model to wear on his arm for his 1971 movie Le Mans. Still just as recognizable today, the Monaco is more beloved than ever. Over the years, TAG Heuer has continued to release new editions and colorways.
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green Basics
This Racing Green version is far from the first titanium Monaco. In fact, the 2024 watch is a follow-up to last year’s silver and blue Caliber 11, a slightly modernized version of the 1969 original. Also housed in a 39mm grade 2 titanium case, the green variant simply swaps out the blue colors on the two subdials and perforated leather strap for green.
Water resistant to 100m, the titanium case also houses the Caliber 11 automatic movement, which is a modification of the Sellita SW300 featuring a chronograph module from Dubois-Depraz. TAG Heuer does have its own in-house movements but this one allows it to sport that lefty crown. The Caliber 11 is visible through an exhibition caseback.
Easy Being Green
Modern touches are more sparse this time around with the green. You do have that titanium case and the highlighter yellow second hand and 12 o’clock marker (the yellow is also featured on the inside lining of the leather strap). But compared to last year’s blue model, this Racing Green edition is decidedly more evocative of the heyday of racing. Green is such a specific color to the world of auto racing due to its ubiquity in the flags of the world. Historically, cars would often sport the colors of their country, with green being quite common.
There’s also the sunray brushed silver dial, which is possibly inspired by the dashboards of vintage cars from the 1930s. And lest we forget the applied horizontal markers around the outer edge of the dial, which might not offer much function other than to bring a visual balance to the silhouette.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 39mm
Case Thickness: 14.35mm
Case Material: Grade 2 titanium
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Caliber 11 automatic chronograph (Sellita-base)
Band: Green leather racing strap
Limited Edition?: Yes, 1,000
Pricing & Availability
Limited to 1,000 pieces, the Monaco Chronograph Racing Green Caliber 11 is an exceptional titanium timepiece. And it’s currently available for $9,300 from TAG Heuer’s website.
Recap
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green Titanium
TAG Heuer follows up its Racing Blue titanium version of the Monaco Chronograph from last year with this Racing Green iteration, evoking more of a vintage feel.
