Home » TAG Heuer Watches » TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Automatic Chronograph Watch
For all avid fans of classic sports cars and mottors, TAG Heuer has been constantly re-inventing the Monaco watch models. To celebrate the Monaco’s 40th anniversary, Swiss watchmaker launched another stylish timepiece from Swiss Avant-Garde family - Monaco Calibre 12 Automatic Chronograph.
In 1969, in honor of the unique Grand Prix, TAG Heuer launched a chronograph with a new design. The Monaco men’s watch had the first water-resistant square case in watch making history and soon became a brand’s icon, especially after the Hollywood star Steve McQueen, great admire of Monaco watch, had chosen to wear it in the film “Le Mans”.
Inside legendary water-resistant square case was housed the Chronomatic, the world’s first automatic chronograph movement with a micro rotor. After several months, the Calibre 11 was replaced by the Calibre 11-I and finally, in 1971, with the Calibre 12 movement, which was also part of the Chromomatic family. However, this renowned mechanism isn’t the one that beats in the new Monaco. The new Calibre 12 is an ETA 2892, with the Dubois Depraz chrono module.
The Monaco had been withdrawn around 1975 and it wasn’t a part of Tag’s interest until 1997, when the Swiss company decided to start producing the “Re-edition” collection of vintage Carrera and Monaco. These watches made an instant success and have been the most important part of Tag Heuer’s family ever since.
Larger Case and Sport Elegance
The TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Automatic Chronograph men’s wristwatch hasn’t lost original avant-garde spirit and design of its 1969 predecessor. The 39 mm stainless steel case is slightly larger than previous models (38 mm), but watch is still compact to wear comfortably just about with any kind of dress.
Perfectly Sapphire crystal glass covers a stylish Monaco Automatic Chronograph on both side and opens a view on Swiss made manual-winding Calibre 12. The case also features the fixed fine, brushed steel bezel, the polished, screwed down crown at 3 o’clock and polished stainless steel push buttons. The alligator strap, either black or blue contains the folding buckle, with safety pushbuttons.
All designs of TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Automatic Chronograph are inspired by Steve McQueen and his Porsche 917K in 1970, in “Le Mans” movie. Blue or black dial, with luminous silver-tone hands and index hour markers features two sub-counters – the small second chronograph is at 3 o’clock, while the minute counter is placed at 9 o’clock. The date window is at 6 o’clock position. Faceted polished rhodium plated minute and hour hands, with luminescent markers make this watch easy to read. The Monaco Calibre 12 Automatic Chronograph is water resistant up to 100 meters.
