TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph x Gulf "Limited Edition 2025" Calibre 11 Titanium automatic white dial leather strap 39 mm

Monaco Gulf: when watchmaking pays tribute to legends

The Monaco is much more than just a model in TAG Heuer's history. It is a watchmaking revolution, an icon of design and watchmaking. Launched in 1969, it was the first automatic chronograph watch housed in a square waterproof case, breaking all the established codes. This unprecedented format, combined with the Chronomatic micro-rotor caliber (Calibre 11), was a manifesto of technical and aesthetic innovation.

But it was in 1971, in the film Le Mans, that the Monaco truly became immortal. Steve McQueen, wearing the watch on his wrist, took the wheel of a Porsche 917K decorated in Gulf colors. The sky blue and bright orange immediately became inseparable symbols of motor racing, while the watch entered the realm of legend thanks to the Hollywood icon. For more than 50 years, this trio – Monaco, McQueen, Gulf – has formed a three-faced myth that TAG Heuer continues to cultivate with care.

A deep connection to the world of motor racing

The Gulf identity is closely linked to the golden age of motor sports. JW Automotive Engineering, a British racing team supported by Gulf, fielded legendary prototypes such as the Ford GT40 and the Le Mans-winning Porsche 917K in the 1960s and 1970s. Swiss driver and Heuer ambassador Jo Siffert took part in this adventure – at the wheel of the Gulf 917 – before influencing Steve McQueen's choice of role as a fictional driver in Le Mans. This intertwining of cinema, watchmaking and motor racing is unique in the contemporary history of luxury goods.

In 2025, TAG Heuer is celebrating this exceptional trilogy with a new limited edition of the Monaco Gulf. Only 971 pieces will be produced, a highly symbolic number that directly references 1971, the year the film Le Mans was released.

But this release is not just a simple tribute: it is part of a strong context for the TAG Heuer Maison. This year marks a key milestone in its commitment to motor racing: for the first time, the famous Monaco Grand Prix has been renamed the Formula 1 TAG Heuer Grand Prix de Monaco. This exclusive naming firmly anchors the brand in the world of F1, directly linking it to the most iconic circuit in the history of motorsport.

An already cult Gulf series: the seventh edition of a legendary line

Since 2005, TAG Heuer has regularly paid tribute to this iconic partnership by launching limited edition Monaco Gulf watches that have become true collector's items. The Monaco Gulf 2025 is the seventh iteration of this iconic series, each one marking an era with its colors, movement, and finishes.

It is also symbolic in two ways:

• This is only the second time that a Monaco Gulf has been equipped with the Calibre 11, fully reviving the spirit of the original 1969 model.
• And it is also the second Monaco Gulf to feature a clear dial, in this case a subtly textured silver dial (the first was a white dial edition).

These design and movement choices clearly place this edition at the top of the modern Monaco Gulf range, both faithful to history and bold in its execution.

A design faithful to its origins, elegantly updated

This 2025 edition retains the signature shape of the Monaco with its 39 mm square case, here crafted in sandblasted grade 2 titanium for a matte, raw finish reminiscent of paddocks and racing cars. Titanium also makes it very light to wear.

This new Monaco Gulf features a grained silver dial with subtle reflections, contrasted by two vertical Gulf blue and orange stripes that run across the watch with force. The two black counters at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock provide a perfect contrast, and the orange lacquered central chronograph hand accentuates the racing spirit.

The applied hour markers are polished and faceted. The hour and minute hands are coated with blue Super-LumiNova® for maximum readability even in the dark. The whole is protected by a domed and bevelled sapphire crystal.

The inscriptions “MONACO,” “AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH,” and “SWISS MADE” are printed in black, while the vintage HEUER logo sits proudly at 12 o'clock.

Movement: the Calibre 11, the historic engine of the Monaco

This edition is powered by the Calibre 11 automatic movement, the iconic movement launched in 1969. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers approximately 40 hours of power reserve.

Its distinctive feature? An inverted architecture with the crown on the left (9 o'clock) and chronograph pushers on the right, a configuration immediately recognizable by purists.

This caliber is visible on the back of the watch through a transparent screw-down case back protected by sapphire crystal.

Two straps for two identities

The watch comes with two interchangeable straps, each highlighting a different facet of its DNA:

• A white Nomex® textile strap, fireproof, with orange racing stitching and a sandblasted titanium folding clasp. It directly recalls the drivers' suits.
• An additional strap in perforated blue grained calfskin, with a very distinctive retro sports style.