TAG Heuer Monaco; The Icon That Keeps Getting Beter
With its square case is the TAG Heuer Monaco an instantly recognizable icon. When introduced in 1969, it was the first automatic chronograph that featured a water-resistant form shaped case. The rest is history, but not for TAG Heuer. They continued to develop the Monaco further. While this can be very rewarding, it also comes with significant risks. When a watch reaches an icon’s status, people usually like it the way it is and often oppose more radical changes. TAG Heuer walked this thin line seemingly effortlessly. Their developments made the Monaco slowly but surely evolve, introducing new colors and designs, even better fit and finish, but never went too far away from what made the watch such a success in the first place.
With the Monaco Heuer 02 does TAG Heuer introduce its iconic design with a manufacture movement. The beauty of the Heuer 02 caliber can be found in the fact that is was developed as a chronograph and is, therefore, a fully integrated movement. It comes with all the usual bells and whistles such as a column wheel and vertical clutch. A nice bonus is the long power reserve of 80-hours. The dial has a typical tricompax layout, which TAG Heuer offers against either a blue of a black background. The subdials for the chronograph are in white, while red hands offer an additional sportive touch. The date is placed at the six o’clock position.
While the new TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 looks great on a leather strap, which amplifies its more classic side, do we consider the bracelet a must-have. TAG Heuer has quite a reputation to uphold, as their bracelets are in a league of their own, combining great looks with even better wearing comfort. While its appearance is based on a 1970’s design, the current version is far more modern. The links are solid and robust, yet follow the shape of the wrist carefully. The clasp is easy to use and integrated into the bracelet design with great care and consideration. It might be a detail, but it is what sets the TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 apart from its peers, as well as that it is a testimony that this watch is an icon that only gets better.
