Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. TAG Heuer Monaco 1999-2009 Limited Edition – Step 4 of the 50th-Anniversary Editions
Black and white dial, racing red accents and sleek design of the 2000s.
Today, TAG Heuer celebrates the unveiling of the fourth timepiece in the Monaco 50th Anniversary saga in the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures at the Tokyo National Museum in Japan. After a funky 1970s Green version and a bold, fiery red racing-inspired model for the 1980s and a sleek, industrial-like edition for the 1990s, it is time to move to another decade and thus, another rare limited edition. Black and white and racing red accents are now the theme for the new TAG Heuer Monaco 1999-2009 50th Anniversary Limited Edition.
50TH ANNIVERSARY – 5 DECADES – 5 TAG HEUER MONACO
The Heuer Monaco was presented in 1969. Back then, it was one impressively modern watch, for two reasons. First, the square shape of its case was bold, unprecedented and was matched with an equally bold, brushed blue dial. Second, inside the case was Calibre 11, a movement known as the Chrono-Matic, which was the result of a joint-venture uniting Heuer, Breitling, Hamilton-Buren and chronograph specialist Dubois-Depraz to develop one of the earliest self-winding chronograph movements. Cutting-edge back then, the Heuer Monaco and subsequent TAG Heuer Monaco watches would become some of the most recognizable pieces. Success wasn’t immediate, however – as we were reminded by TAG’s CEO in this video and Patrick Dempsey here. It wasn’t until the watch was re-introduced in the 1990s that became an icon.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Heuer Monaco, which will be celebrated with the introduction of five different limited edition watches, all representing a specific decade. The first of these models, inspired by the years 1969 to 1979, was unveiled at the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix in May – where we were present, as you can see in our video reports here and here. This Monaco, with a cool striped green dial, evoked the funky 1970s. You can read our hands-on article with the TAG Heuer Monaco 1969-1979 Limited Edition here.
The second limited edition, celebrating the period from 1979 to 1989, was presented in June in Le Mans, France. This model pays tribute to the racing history of TAG Heuer and the Monaco, with a fiery red livery – an ode to what probably was the greatest era of Formula 1, with turbocharged machines, Senna, Prost and many more incredible drivers. You can read our hands-on article with the TAG Heuer Monaco 1979-1989 Limited Edition here.
The third limited edition, celebrating the decade 1989 to 1999, was equally surprising and unprecedented. This version featured a sleek, grey textured dial – reminiscent of concrete – and multiple blue accents on the dial and strap, all inspired by the themes, styles and trends of the 1990s, with a steely industrial appearance reflecting the straightforward street style characteristic of this beloved decade. You can read our hands-on with the TAG Heuer Monaco 1989-1999 Limited Edition here.
Today, TAG Heuer introduces the fourth watch in the series, this time paying tribute to the 2000s, with a sleek black and white theme and cool racing elements reminiscent of the daring design codes of the decade 1999-2009.
The TAG Heuer Monaco 1999-2009 Limited Edition
Don’t expect major surprises with this fourth watch in the Monaco 50th Anniversary Series. Once again, the basics of the Calibre 11 Monaco are kept and the work done by TAG is design-related. However, no need to feel bad, as this Monaco 1999-2009 Limited Edition is visually pretty cool, to say the least.
Just like the three other watches already introduced, this new TAG Heuer Monaco 1999-2009 Limited Edition comes with an unprecedented design. While it is based on the traditional “Steve McQueen” re-edition Monaco Calibre 11 reference CAW211P, sharing with it all its specifications and technical elements, TAG didn’t want to take the easiest path by reinterpreting old models. Instead, the designs are new and based on the style of five decades, not on vintage editions. While we would have loved to see a reissue of the Dark Lord or the grey version of the ref. 1133, we have to agree that the brand had some bold ideas for these limited editions, resulting in unique, desirable pieces.
The TAG Heuer Monaco 1999-2009 Limited Edition features the classic 39mm x 39mm square-shaped case in stainless steel, with brushed and polished surfaces, a bevelled sapphire crystal on top, the signature crown positioned at 9 o’clock and the two angled pushers for the chronograph on the right side of the case – two classic elements of the Monaco that greatly contribute to its appeal.
Inside the case is the modern TAG Heuer Calibre 11, a movement based on an automatic Sellita SW-300 with an inverted Dubois-Depraz chronograph module, beating at 4Hz and boasting a 40-hour power reserve. It is protected by a plain steel caseback with “1999-2009 Special Edition” and “One of 169” engravings.
The main novelty on this Monaco 1999-2009 Limited Edition is its dial. The black opaline (smooth texture) background with white opaline sub-dials gives this watch a reversed-panda look. The most surprising element is the white circular minutes/seconds track, which stands out from the background and counteracts the square design of the watch.
Multiple red and orange touches, on the seconds hand, the tip of minutes/hours hands and the 5-minute markers on the circular track, give this watch the final racing touch. The applied indexes are still facetted and positioned horizontally, a signature feature of early Monaco watches.
This TAG Heuer Monaco 1999-2009 Limited Edition is worn on a classic racing-inspired black perforated calfskin strap with white stitchings and a polished folding clasp in stainless steel, with a “Heuer” logo.
Price and availability
The TAG Heuer Monaco 1999-2009 Limited Edition reference CAW211Y.FC6469 will be produced in 169 pieces only. This 2000s-inspired model is packaged in a dark blue box decorated with the Heuer logo and a horizontal check-pattern stripe. The watch is presented on a grey cushion and surrounded by an orange interior. It will be priced at CHF 6,400 – EUR 5,950 – USD 6,550 – GBP 5,350 and available now on the brand’s website.
