The 5 Coolest TAG Heuer Monacos You Can Get for the 50th Anniversary

In 1969, Heuer (which would become TAG Heuer) revolutionized the watch industry with two great introductions… First is, of course, the launch of the calibre 11, one of three first automatic chronograph movements ever created. Second was the introduction of a watch that would later become an icon (but that wasn’t that successful back then…) You name it, the Monaco. In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this watch, we’ve selected the five coolest TAG Heuer Monacos you can get. 

The TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 “Steve McQueen” CAW211P

Why is it cool? The reason is simple. If the Monaco is famous, it is because back in 1971, Steve “King of Cool” McQueen chose it in the movie Le Mans. The watch he was wearing while racing his Gulf-sponsored Porsche 917 was the original, blue-dial 1133B… And the present TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 CAW211P is a faithful modern re-edition. Same colour, same case shape, same horizontal indexes, a crown positioned at 9 o’clock, same racing strap. And that’s enough to make it one of the most desirable editions. More details in our review here.

How to get one? Easy. Enter a TAG Heuer authorized retailer and simply pull out your credit card. The TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 “Steve McQueen” CAW211P is widely available and non-limited.

Quick facts: 39mm x 39mm steel case – automatic calibre 11, modular chronograph with ETA base – blue dial with red accents and silvered sub-dials – perforated racing leather strap on folding buckle – ref. CAW211P.FC6356 – EUR 5,250

The TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 “Gulf Edition” CAW211R

Why is it cool? Once again, this has to do with Mr McQueen and him wearing the watch in Le Mans, 1971. As mentioned, the “King of Cool” was racing a truly iconic car, the 917, with what certainly is the best-looking racing livery of all times: the light-blue GULF with orange stripes. As an ode to this movie and to seal the partnership between the watchmaker and the oil company (mostly known as a racing sponsor), TAG Heuer has created this special (non-limited) Monaco Calibre 11 CAW211R with its unique striped dial and a blue strap with orange stitchings. For the rest, it remains identical to the normal Calibre 11 – meaning super cool. More details on our hands-on here.

How to get one? Again, pretty easy, as this watch isn’t limited and currently under production. The TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 “Gulf Edition” CAW211R is thus available at retailers.

Quick facts: 39mm x 39mm steel case – automatic calibre 11, modular chronograph with ETA base – blue dial with red accents and silvered sub-dials, GULF stripes and logo – perforated racing leather strap on folding buckle – ref. CAW211R.FC6401 – EUR 5,250

TAG Heuer Monaco 1969-1979 Limited Edition CAW211V

Why is it cool? For multiple reasons… First of all, it is one of the five watches created for the 50th anniversary of the Monaco. Plus, it is the boldest, wildest of the models (so far) but one that really works in the metal. Finally, it is an ultra-rare limited edition and that makes it collectible. The TAG Heuer Monaco 1969-1979 Limited Edition CAW211V is the first of five watches to celebrate half a century of this watch, and with its striped green dial/strap combo, it has all the 1970s flair the Monaco should have. It is a watch that needs a certain audacity from its wearer, but it’s very desirable. For the rest, it has the same technical base as the two other watches above.

More details about this 1969-1979 Limited Edition here. Also check the two other versions, the 1979-1989 Limited Edition and the 1989-1999 Limited Edition.

How to get one? That’s going to be tricky. Since it is limited to 169 pieces, the TAG Heuer Monaco 1969-1979 Limited Edition CAW211V sold out in a few minutes. So your only option now is to check the second-hand market regularly and to prepare yourself to pay a premium…

Quick facts: 39mm x 39mm steel case – automatic calibre 11, modular chronograph with ETA base – green dial with orange accents, Geneva stripes pattern and green sub-dials – perforated racing leather strap on folding buckle – ref. CAW211V.FC6466 – EUR 5,950

The TAG HEUER MONACO CALIBRE 11 “FRANCE EDITION” CAW211S

Why is it cool? Now we enter the rare but absolutely cool editions… In 2017, TAG Heuer created a small batch of 200 Monaco watches only for the French market. This model is certainly one of the most original versions we’ve seen, with its matte black dial, the absence of applied indexes, its vintagey lume on the hands and markers, and its look that evokes the mythical “Dark Lord” 74033N (the one with a PDV-coated case and full black dial). It looks different but is one of the most desirable, collectible modern TAG Heuer Monaco watches.

How to get one? Again, not so easy. The TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 “France Edition” CAW211S is, as you can imagine, sold-out but sometimes appears on the second-hand market, like this one – however, expect a premium over the initial retail price.

Quick facts: 39mm x 39mm steel case – automatic calibre 11, modular chronograph with ETA base – black dial with faux-patina accents and silvered sub-dials, no applied indexes – perforated racing leather strap on folding buckle – ref. CAW211S.FC6375 – EUR 5,800 (retail price when launched), more today on the second-hand market

The First Re-issue, the 1998 TAG Heuer Monaco CS2110

Why is it cool? Not everyone knows that, back in the old days, the Heuer Monaco wasn’t a success. The original model was only produced for five years (1969-1974). Collectors had to wait until 1998 to see the square-shaped case of the Monaco resurface. The first model to bring the Monaco back on the road was this CS2110 and even today, it still looks as cool as it was back then. Simple, clean, minimalistic, featuring the old “Heuer” logo, a tritium dial and a Plexiglas crystal, everything looks great on this version. It was limited to 5,000 pieces, already featured a modular ETA movement (not yet calibre 11) and the iconic 38mm square case.

You can also have a look at the second series (ref. CS2111 – new dial, Heuer-only) and the thrid series (CW2111, TAG Heuer branded) for early re-editions of the Monaco.

How to get one? As it has been produced in 5,000 pieces, the 1998 TAG Heuer Monaco CS2110 isn’t the most complex watch to source. After a quick search on Chrono24, we found close to 20 watches listed. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find an example in good condition with box and papers. Expect around EUR 3,000.

Quick facts: 38mm x 38mm steel case – automatic modular chronograph with ETA base – black dial with tritium lume, 2-register display and radial applied indexes – leather strap on “Heuer” signed pin buckle – ref. CS2110 – Price: around EUR 3,000

More details on TAG Heuer’s website.