For petrolheads, late May is sacred—a time when roaring engines and high-octane drama take center stage. The Monaco Grand Prix, that glittering jewel of Formula 1, shares the spotlight with Indianapolis, and this year, it’s not just the cars turning heads. TAG Heuer, stepping into its role as F1’s title sponsor, has unleashed a fleet of new Monaco watches, but one stands out like a vintage Gulf-liveried Porsche screaming down the Mulsanne Straight.
The Monaco Chronograph x Gulf starts with a modern twist—literally. Crafted from Grade 2 titanium, the 39mm case sheds the usual polished bravado for a matte, architectural finish. This isn’t just a square block on the wrist; it’s a sculpture of curves and chamfers, with pushers shaped like tiny, beveled stopwatches. Water-resistant to 100 meters and sporting a sapphire caseback, it’s a Monaco that’s as tough as it is stylish.
Instead of slapping Gulf’s iconic blue-and-orange livery directly onto the dial, TAG Heuer played a clever game of nostalgia. The cream-white face echoes Steve McQueen’s racing suit from "Le Mans", while twin stripes—orange and cobalt—slice diagonally like a speed blur. The subdial at 3 o’clock interrupts the stripes just enough to create an illusion of depth, turning what could’ve been a flat design into a miniature racetrack for the eyes.
Details matter here:
Power comes from the Calibre 11—a Sellita-based movement with a Dubois-Depraz chronograph module. It’s not the most cutting-edge engine under the hood (40-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph), but the decoration—tight perlage and Geneva stripes—gives it a polished finish worthy of the price tag.
The white textile strap isn’t just for show. Made from fire-resistant Nomex by Hinchman—the same company that dressed McQueen—it’s a subtle hat tip to racing history. Orange stitching completes the look, tying the whole package together like a well-knotted racing glove.
With only 971 pieces available, this isn’t just another Monaco—it’s a wearable piece of motorsport lore. TAG Heuer could’ve leaned on Gulf’s colors alone, but instead, they crafted a watch that feels like it rolled straight out of a 1971 time capsule. For collectors, it’s a checkered flag in horological form.
