The new Dark Blue TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton Chronograph

Long associated with motorsport, TAG Heuer keeps maintaining its racing heritage with its emblematic Carrera and Monaco collections. Born in 1969 and one of the most symbolic chronograph watches in modern history, the latter has been a canvas for innovation in recent years, including a complex and bold split-seconds version a few months ago. With the 2024 Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix just around the corner, and without much surprise, TAG Heuer treats with a new iteration of its modern Monaco Skeleton Chronograph, now in dark blue with a black DLC titanium case. 

Released exactly a year ago, during the 2023 Monaco GP, the Monaco Skeleton Chronograph was the first attempt in a very long time of TAG Heuer to bring an openworked version of its emblematic squared chronograph, at least in the classic collection. Now joined by the far more complex, even bolder and pricier rattrapante edition, the Monaco Skeleton represents the futuristic side of the collection – rest assured, the all-time classic “Steve McQueen” Calibre 11 Monaco is still available if you’re into the historical look.

While the overall design of the case is identical to all the classic models in the lineup, the 39mm x 39mm square is here done in sandblasted grade 2 titanium. Considering the 15mm thickness and the 47.4mm length, the Monaco is a watch with a certain presence and the use of lightweight titanium is certainly helping in this context. For this new edition, the case has been coated in black DLC, including the crown (at 3 o’clock) and the rectangular pushers. The watch retains its classic bevelled sapphire crystal on top and a comfortable 100m water-resistance.

The main evolution compared to the 3 inaugural editions of 2023 is the dial, which is now available in a nice dark blue tone. Despite the fashion rule that says that “black and blue don’t go together” the result of this combination of colour is here pretty appealing. Offering a glimpse of the mechanics underneath (but not too much to mess up with the legibility), the graphic and geometric dial is composed of a sandblasted dark blue base, with an opaline blue module on top incorporating the minute track and sub-dials. White carved indexes with Super-LumiNova add a graphic touch day and night. A touch of yellow has been added to all hands linked to the chronograph and the date is displayed thanks to an openworked disc over a white background.

Under the sapphire caseback is the in-house, integrated automatic Calibre Heuer 02 (TH20-00), with 80h power reserve and 4Hz frequency, and a column-wheel and vertical clutch architecture. The back reveals rhodium-plated bridges, a blackened rotor and touches of yellow on the column wheel and printings.

Worn on a dark blue embossed calfskin and rubber strap, with DLC titanium folding clasp, this new dark blue edition of the TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton Chronograph is available now as part of the permanent collection and priced at CHF 11,000, EUR 11,400 or USD 11,250. For more details, please visit www.tagheuer.com.