Named for the race and city, the TAG Heuer Monaco is the epitome of elegance and prestige with a vintage flair. Notable for being the world’s first automatic chronograph, the Monaco became legendary after Steve McQueen sported it in the classic 1970 Hollywood racing film “Le Mans”, making it the ultimate watch for those living life in the fast lane. Today, dressed in classic Gulf racing blue and orange colour-ways, the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Special Edition 50th Anniversary is a 50 piece limited edition celebrating Gulf Racing Team colours and the 50th anniversary of the oil company’s first Le Mans win.
Limited Edition of 50 Pieces: TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Special Edition 50th Anniversary
This year, Gulf Oil celebrates the 50th anniversary of its first Le Mans victory. The light blue and orange racing colours make their debut in 1967 and have since been the primary colour scheme associated with the Le Mans race team and their high performance vehicles. By 1975, Gulf becomes the only sponsor ever to win Le Mans in a car of its own name. Notably, Gulf Oil South East Asia began operations in Singapore last year. Sadly, the TAG Heuer Monaco 1133 was itself discontinued in the mid-1970s. In 1998, the Monaco was reissued with a new design and reintroduced in 2003 with an entirely new calibre in part due to McQueen’s increasing popularity.
Ensconced in stainless steel, the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Special Edition 50th Anniversary is a bold revisit of that era of racing bravado and classic 39mm x 9mm proportions. The undisputed king of square chronographs, the Monaco’s signature square case really makes a statement.
Fierce, strong and in a league of its own, the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Special Edition would preferably have been in era-authentic hesalite crystal (plastic) but instead, bears the robust and modern sapphire crystal, a sapphire display back, and it is water resistant to 100 meters.
In terms of provenance, the McQueen Monaco has become one of the most sought after pieces in the international vintage markets where original blue models can fetch up to $13,000.
TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Special Edition 50th Anniversary Price and Specs
Movement Automatic TAG Heuer caliber 11 with 40 hours power reserve
Case 39mm stainless steel with 100 metres water resistance
Strap Leather
Price TBA
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