TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 in stainless steel featuring a blue baton sunburst dial

Legendary actor Brad Pitt, earlier an ambassador of TAG Heuer, wore in this photo from a couple of years back the iconic TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 in stainless steel featuring a blue baton sunburst dial with red detailing on a black leather strap.

Monaco was revolutionary for being the first automatic square cased chronograph and was used by movie legend Steve McQueen in his character in the 1971 film ‘Le Man, and the model is still synonymous with McQueen.

About the Watch

The Monaco Chrono remains one of the Swiss watchmaker’s most renowned models. Tag Heuer launched this series many years ago, and it has been a massive hit since then.

The dial is grey and has a perpendicular brushed appearance, as well as a date window at 6 o’clock. Except for the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock spots, all hourly indicators use the attached hour markings. Those refined appliqué hour markings contain a glowing substance in the middle.

A light dot placed in the middle of the white, precisely written seconds and divided seconds track punctuates the hour indicators. Excluding the 12 o’clock hour sign, this is accurate for all hour marks. This hourly sign is also finished, although it has a bright red core and lies lower on display, above the white branding on the dial top half.

The vivid red core of the pencil-like hour and minute markers complements the 12 o’clock hour indicator. The hour and minute hands, on the other hand, feature a red tip and a piece of the middle of the hand that is luminous-filled. The huge central second’s hand on the Chrono is similarly bright red.

The stainless-steel casing measures 39mm x 39mm and has a waterproofness level of 100m/330ft, suitable for swimming, a cold bath, or diving. It is finished with a polished and glossy look.

A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is used on the front and rear of the casing. The case back is secured with four screws and features distinctive inscriptions like the series titles and the limited edition code. The automatic movement may be seen in operation via the sapphire crystal.

The Cotes de Genève striped design runs upwards into the heavy automated winding rotor on the Calibre 12. On each side of the rotor are two skeletonized circular triangles. The TAG Heuer wordmark, the phrases ‘Calibre 12’, as well as ‘SWISS MADE’ are also engraved in black paint.

TAG Heuer’s Calibre 12 is primarily an ébauche movement with an SW300-1 foundation and a power reserve of +/- 40 hours. It was a 59-jewel 4Hz timepiece with a beat rate of 28,800 VPH. It has a Dubois-Depraz column-wheel Chrono mechanism, a favorite choice among high-end watch brands.

A black leather band with black threading is included with the timepiece. The strap consists of a vivid red calfskin leather interior with matching red stitching on the inside. The stainless steel push-button folding buckle with TAG Heuer marking on one side and the Heuer logo on the other secures the alligator leather strap.

Price market: $5,200.00 USD
Reference: CBL2111.FC6453

Photo: TAG Heuer / Getty Images