TAG Heuer presented the final timepiece in a series of five limited-edition models marking the Monaco’s 50th anniversary – TAG Heuer Monaco 2009–2019 Limited Edition Reference CAW211Z.FC6470. The fifth collector’s piece borrows from the design codes and trends from the past decade (2009 to 2019). The previous pieces included the first timepiece (1970s edition), presented during the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, the second timepiece (1980s edition), revealed in Le Mans, the third timepiece (1990s edition), unveiled ahead of the Formula E Championship in New York, and the fourth timepiece (early 2000s edition), which debuted at an event in Tokyo. The exclusive piece was presented in Shanghai in the presence of brand ambassadors Cara Delevingne and Li Yifeng, Stéphane Bianchi, CEO of the LVMH Watchmaking Division and of TAG Heuer, and Frédéric Arnault, TAG Heuer Chief Strategy and Digital Officer.
Following the four previous events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic TAG Heuer Monaco throughout 2019, the Swiss luxury watchmaker rounded off the festivities with the presentation of the fifth and final special edition at an immersive celebration in Shanghai’s Space Plus.
Upon entering, guests were immediately immersed in the Monaco universe and discovered “timeboxes” – custom time capsules that transported them to the four decades represented by the Monaco anniversary pieces – in the reception area. Following an opening video introducing the Monaco collection and a spectacular show of light and shadow, brand ambassadors Cara Delevingne and Li Yifeng unveiled the fifth limited-edition Monaco anniversary timepiece, which pays tribute to the second decade of the twenty-first century.
The event’s ultra-modern setting and proceedings seamlessly underscored its theme of innovation and performance. In today’s fast-paced world, China is always ahead of its time, and thus was the perfect location to embody and symbolise the technical innovation and precision of the Monaco.
Five watches capturing 50 years of history
To honour the 50-year milestone, TAG Heuer has launched five new Monaco models that capture the design spirit of each decade since the launch of the original in 1969. This event in Shanghai marked the unveiling of the fifth and final model in the series. The first of these models, inspired by the years 1969 to 1979, was unveiled at the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix in May, and the second limited edition, celebrating the period from 1979 to 1989, was presented in June in Le Mans, France. The third edition of the Monaco watch, inspired by the 1990s, made its grand debut in New York in July. The previous event for the fourth edition, honouring the sleek style of the early 2000s, received international acclaim after being introduced at an event in Tokyo in September.
Modern, minimalistic Monaco
Sharp and uncomplicated, the limited-edition Monaco capturing the most recent decade of the timekeeping icon’s half-century past – 2009 to 2019 – the TAG Heuer Monaco 2009–2019 Limited Edition represents the straightforward style and sleek design of luxurious everyday objects. Presented on a perforated black calfskin strap with black lining and grey stitching, this model has an unconventional sandblasted stainless-steel case and polished pushers. The charcoal-coloured sunray dial is adorned with black-gold-plated indexes with SuperLuminova®. The rhodium-plated subdials also feature a gleaming sunray effect. For a dynamic, eye-catching enhancement, the subdial hands and central seconds hand are in bold red, as is the marker at the 12 o’clock position on the dial. The black-gold-plated hour and minute hands have a stripe of SuperLuminova® to ensure legibility in any conditions.
As with the original, the pushers are on the right of the case while the polished crown is on the left – an unconventional feature that has distinguished the Monaco over the past 50 years.
The caseback of this 2010s-inspired wristwatch is engraved with the “Monaco Heuer” logo as well as “2009-2019 Special Edition” and “One of 169”. Sporting a design inspired by the original model, the stainless-steel caseback features a polished, vertical and circular brushed finishing. The case houses the renowned Calibre 11, a modern version of the automatic-winding chronograph movement that made its debut inside the original Monaco in 1969. This watch has been produced in an edition limited to 169 pieces.
Looking back on 50 years of the TAG Heuer Monaco and Calibre 11
When the Heuer Monaco (TAG was not part of the company name at the time) was introduced at simultaneous press conferences in New York and Geneva on 3 March 1969, journalists and watch aficionados around the world were amazed. With its never-before-seen water-resistant square case, the Monaco’s daring and iconic design made it instantly recognisable.
The watch’s design was the perfect complement to the advanced technology being presented by the Swiss watchmaker at the time. Developed and commercialised by Heuer, the Calibre 11 was the world’s first automatic-winding chronograph movement.
CEO at the time Jack Heuer believed that this groundbreaking innovation required a design that would demand attention. The Monaco did exactly that.
In 1971, the Monaco was worn by Steve McQueen, the “King of Cool”, in the movie Le Mans.
The paradoxical superstar
Over the past two decades, the Monaco has been closely linked to haute horlogerie with other versions that feature new complications, designs and materials. As it evolves, the Monaco still has the revolutionary spirit that made it both infamous and famous. The complete story behind this icon is told in the new book Paradoxical Superstar, which includes archive excerpts and sketches of the designs and movements. British author and journalist Nicholas Foulkes, watch expert Gisbert Brunner and American writer Michael Clerizo all contributed chapters that capture the heritage and innovation that defines the Monaco. Underscoring the timepiece’s bond with its namesake city, H. S. H. Prince Albert II of Monaco wrote the book’s foreword.
TAG Heuer Monaco 2009–2019 Limited Edition Reference CAW211Z.FC6470 Technical Spcification
MOVEMENT
TAG Heuer Automatic Calibre 11, diameter 30 mm, 59 jewels, balance oscillating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), 40-hour power reserve
FUNCTIONS
Chronograph with seconds and minutes; date, hours, minutes and small second at 3 o’clock; chronograph minutes counter at 9 o’clock; central chronograph seconds hand
CASE
Diameter 39 mm, case and fixed bezel in sandblasted steel case, sapphire crystal, polished stainless-steel crown at 9 o’clock and push buttons at 2 and 4 o’clock, water-resistant to 100 meters (10 bar), stainless-steel caseback with “2009-2019 Special Edition” and “One of 169” engravings
DIAL
Charcoal sunray brushed dial, rhodium-plated sunray counters, black-gold-plated, polished, faceted applied indexes, black-gold-plated hour and minute hands, red touches on small hands and 12 o’clock index, luminescent hour and minute hands and indexes
STRAP
Black calfskin leather strap, sandblasted folding clasp in stainless steel
Limited to 169 watches
SPECIAL PACKAGING
Like the watch itself, the watch box is also inspired by the original. Each of the special-edition models comes in a box with colours that match the watch and the decade it represents. The 2010s-inspired model is packaged in a dark blue box decorated with the Heuer logo and a horizontal check-pattern stripe. The watch is placed on a grey cushion and surrounded by a black interior.
About TAG Heuer
In 1860, at the age of 20, Edouard Heuer founded his watchmaker’s workshop in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland. Creating the Mikrograph in 1916, sponsoring Formula 1 teams in the 1970s or launching the first luxury connected watch in 2015 are just a few examples of the major technical innovations, ultimate accuracy and passion for disruptive design that define our unique spirit. Headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, TAG Heuer operates in four production sites – mastering the whole watchmaking process – and is represented on all continents through 4,500 points of sale, including 170 TAG Heuer boutiques that are now directly available on www.tagheuer.com in selected countries. TAG Heuer timepieces are designed for those who love challenges. Our influence is enhanced by our unique communication based on three pillars: sport, lifestyle and heritage, embodying our legacy and DNA. Our partnerships and ambassadors illustrate our open-minded and open-door culture, with the most prestigious and avant-garde names teaming up with TAG Heuer: the Red Bull Racing Formula One team, the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, the Formula E Championship, the biggest football leagues in Europe, the Americas and Asia, Manchester United, trendsetter Cara Delevingne, and actors Chris Hemsworth and Patrick Dempsey.
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