THE CATCHER IN THE EYE
TAG HEUER REFINES THE MONACO GULF AND REIMAGINES IT FOR THE PRESENT, RESULTING IN ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLYANTICIPATED TIMEPIECES OF THE YEAR
Earlier this year, Swiss avant-garde watch brand TAG Heuer finally introduced an updated version of one of its most sought-after releases: the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf. Eagerly awaited by watch collectors around the globe, the new TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf is a Special Edition timepiece with a newly refined design, including the debut of the in-house Heuer 02 movement for the Monaco Gulf.
HISTORICAL JOURNEY
The Monaco Gulf ’s story begins with a passion for top-tier motorsport. The Gulf brand has become an icon in the racing world thanks to the vibrant blue and orange livery which adorned the team that it sponsored. During the golden age of racing in the 1960s and 1970s, their main partner was JW Automotive Engineering—a name that left an indelible mark on the history of endurance racing—which was perhaps most clearly remembered for its involvement in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with overall wins in 1968, 1969 and 1975.
Most importantly, this is how the connection with Gulf, TAG Heuer and also Porsche first came to be. The team field entries in 1970 and 1971 were filled with some of the most celebrated drivers of the era, including famed Swiss pilot Jo Siffert—at the time he was a friend of Heuer and one of the first ambassadors—who rode the Porsche 917 and also the driving coach of Steve McQueen for his movie “Le Mans.”
Long story short, the Porsche 917 came in the signature colors of Gulf and with Jo Siffert at the wheel, which would lead to the association with Steve McQueen who drove the same car in the aforementioned mythical movie, wearing a Monaco watch on his wrist. In the end, when all of those elements were seen together, it became
“TAG Heuer decided to create a Monaco edition using the Gulf colors in honor of this defining association”
clear why this partnership was legendary—and why it elevated the Monaco’s already iconic status even further. Fast forward to 2007 and TAG Heuer decided to create a Monaco edition using the Gulf colors in honor of this defining association. Each timepiece from this special collection became success stories in their own right and, to put it mildly, were highly soughtafter by collectors.
NEW GENERATION
For the 2022 edition of this icon, TAG Heuer strikes once again with an even more stunning version of the Monaco Gulf Edition. Very much like its predecessor, the design continues to be based on the three iconic colors of Gulf. However, there’s a twist, as this time it comes in a more contemporary color combination that merges a special dark blue with turquoise and orange that features heavily throughout the entire timepiece.
On the dial up front, the sleek Gulf touches are mixed with the refined aesthetics of the Monaco. A major highlight would be how the three colors of the Gulf accents are for the first time presented on the minute sub-counters at 3 o’clock. Another premiere in this new version
would be the Gulf logo on the dial, which is now presented entirely in white.
To emphasize the elegance of the watch, the opaline sunray brushed dial also brings to the watch an interesting aesthetic duality. And to top it off, the 12 o’clock index is replaced by the polished and rhodium-plated number “60” as a nod to the racing number on the Porsche Gulf racing cars.
To further emphasize the sporty but sophisticated look of the watch, this special edition is completed with a personalized version of the oscillating mass and column wheel with a special engraving colored to match the Gulf orange Pantone, a strap that’s made of perforated blue calfskin leather and an orange lining with a reflection of the design originally fitted to Monaco models in the 1970s—as a way to bring a touch of the past to this Special Edition timepiece—and the in-house Heuer 02 movement that is housed in the fine-brushed and polished steel case.
It’s safe to say that TAG Heuer has managed to combine elegance and prestige with a vintage flair along with new elements and a little twist, making the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Special Edition once again a true eye-catcher.