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 with the iconic Heuer 60s/70s stop-watch.

Apart from it is unconventional inspiration, it also incorporates a successful vintage design with the stylish black and silver dial along with black DLC titanium event.

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

If you’re reading this you then probably know at least somewhat about Formula 1 and its situations, but if you don’t then allow me to share four things you need to know: F1 is the fastest growing viewer sport in the world, 2025 is focused to be a particularly exciting F1 season, this weekend could be the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix - one of the most prestigious in addition to celebrated races in the world , and from 2025 onwards, TAG Heuer will get back to being the Official Timekeeper involving F1. TAG Heuer is almost certainly present at the Monaco Grand Prix, and of course one of their very own most famous watches is named following your race, but this Monaco racing weekend is a 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 just about the most famous motorsport sponsors/livelines in recent history, and a high-tech interpretation connected with its already distinctive Monaco split-seconds chronograph. The third Monaco Chronograph, however , has a more esoteric raison d’être: is considered based on stopwatches and moment instruments used by Heuer almost 50 years ago and 1970s.

On paper, it’s a bit of a oddball. A watch inspired by way of a stopwatch? That might be a bit perplexing, but what really puts us at ease is why I (and I’m sure many watch collectors) are excited about this. In short, it looks excellent.

Let’s start looking back at individuals stopwatches, and Heuer nearly five decades ago and 1970s. (TAG Heuer) Heuer is a 165-year-old firm, but these two decades have been the most significant in the brand’s history. Right now, F1’s official timekeeping purpose is more symbolic than well-designed, with digital timing equipment and on-board transponders offered by other specialist companies, in the 1960s, Heuer just visited the forefront of keeping time technology.

39 years ago, Heuer developed the Centigraph HL205, a quartz branded sports timer accurate to a single thousandth of a second, in the request of Enzo Ferrari. Enzo Ferrari was certain that the French team possessed cheated at the 24 Hours associated with Le Mans. Heuer is the first watchmaker to work with some sort of Formula 1 team, and therefore independently timed Ferrari making use of the Centigraph, with Heuer timekeeper and motorcycle racer Jean Campich also appearing routinely at F1 events. Back then, Heuer's stopwatches and chronograph watches were ubiquitous in the F1 paddock, used by racing manuacturers and fans to track record lap times, and widespread by professionals in various other racing categories and vocations. https://www.grand-watch.co

In 1969, the main Calibre 11 was launched, which has been one of the first automatic chronograph activities 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 as well as Autavia brands already endured, while the Monaco was a new and different watch, becoming the particular world's first square automatic chronograph. Its square appearance was original and avant-garde for its time, which without a doubt contributed to Steve McQueen’s choice to wear it on the 1971 Le Mans staying power race - a decision in which cemented the Monaco’s standing as one of the most iconic rushing watches of all time.

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

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

Its black-silver-opaline face, which I think is one of the almost all charming Monaco dials at any time, is inspired by several Heuer watches, stopwatches, musical instrument dials and chronographs in 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 and also highly prized by hobbyists. However , the case is not metal, but black titanium using DLC treatment, which gives that a unique sporty and modern-day appeal.

I enjoy this Monaco very much, nevertheless I still have two slight complaints about it. First, mainly because it is inspired by the split-seconds chronograph, I don't understand precisely why TAG Heuer didn't implement this color scheme on the Monaco split-seconds chronograph. Subsequently, while I like that the the queen's is on the left side like the authentic Monaco, it’s a bit of a waste that it doesn’t have TAG Heuer’s more powerful in-house TH20-00 movement. However , these are not decisive factors, and I caint think of any other replica luxury watches that captures the highly 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 African american DLC Grade 2 Ti

Water Resistance 100m

Crystal Sapphire front along with back

Dial Grayscale silver opal, vintage TAG Heuer logo

Haul Width 22mm

Secure Black perforated calfskin secure, sandblasted black DLC Class 2 titanium folding buckle, TAG Heuer logo-shaped belt buckle with double safety buttons

Movement Calibre 14, Sellita SW300-1 base, auto

Power Reserve 40 time

Functions Hours, short minutes, small seconds, date, time counter