TAG Heuer has unveiled the third of five limited editions of the Monaco to mark the iconic timepiece's 50th anniversary. The third limited edition, which follows the first timepiece (1970s edition) presented at the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix and the second timepiece (1980s edition) presented at Le Mans, is dedicated to the 1990s. The exclusive presentation event took place in New York on the eve of the Formula E E-Prix. Guests included brand ambassadors: 2017/2018 Formula E champion Jean-Éric Vergne, actor Patrick Dempsey and model and friend of the brand Paulina Vega. Last night, TAG Heuer organised an unforgettable evening at Cipriani 25 Broadway, where it unveiled the third limited edition celebrating the Monaco's 50th anniversary dedicated to the 1990s. The exclusive event was attended by the brand's ambassadors: 2017/2018 Formula E champion Jean-Éric Vergne, Hollywood actor Patrick Dempsey and former Miss Universe and Friend of the Brand Paulina Vega, who acted as host for the evening's festivities. Other important guests also took part in the event, such as former Miss Universe Olivio Culpo, musician and producer Young Paris and Formula E Founder and CEO Alejandro Agag, who helped celebrate the momentous occasion. Upon arrival, guests walked through an exhibition dedicated to TAG Heuer's historical heritage before entering the majestic event venue. To unveil the timepiece, a magnificent light show lit up the grand hall with neon lights and video projections tracing the history of the TAG Heuer Monaco up to the presentation of the latest limited edition inspired by the 1990s. To celebrate the 50-year milestone, TAG Heuer will launch five new Monaco chronographs throughout the year, inspired by the different decades from 1969 to 2019. The first of these models, inspired by the years from 1969 to 1979, was unveiled at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix in May, while the second limited edition, celebrating the period from 1979 to 1989, was unveiled in June in Le Mans, France. The third edition in the new Monaco watch, inspired by the ʽ90s, made its debut last night on the eve of the Formula E E-Prix. The New York City E-Prix is the US leg of the Formula E championship to be held on 13 and 14 July in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where Vergne will race to defend his title. TAG Heuer, official timekeeper and founding partner of the FIA Formula E Championship, has supported the competition since its inception in 2014. Today, the company is proud to be the official timekeeping sponsor of FIA Formula E and to supply the championship's official watch and chronograph. The third of five limited editions in tribute to Monaco is inspired by the themes, style and trends of the 1990s. With its industrial steel style reminiscent of the street style characteristic of this beloved decade, this special collector's edition features a blue and silver look with vibrant red details. The celebrated chronograph with its square stainless steel case has a rhodium-plated grained dial and sandblasted inner dials with blue counters. The flange and Heuer logo are blue, while the hour markers and central seconds hand are red. The blue of the Heuer logo and the counters on the minute and seconds scales create a stark contrast with the red touches on the hands and indices and the red pattern on the dial. This colour combination is also reflected in the blue perforated calfskin strap with red stitching. As in the original model, the pushers are located on the right side of the case while the crown is on the left, an unconventional feature that has distinguished the Monaco for the past 50 years. The caseback of this ʽ90s-inspired timepiece is engraved with the "Monaco Heuer" logo, the words "1989-1999 Special Edition" and "One of 169". Featuring a design inspired by the original model, the stainless steel caseback sports vertical motifs with a polished finish and circular ones with a satin finish. The case houses the famous Calibre 11, a modern version of the self-winding chronograph movement that made its debut in the original Monaco in 1969. This model was produced in a limited edition of 169 pieces. Over the past two decades, the Monaco has been closely associated with haute horlogerie and produced in other versions with new complications, designs and materials. Throughout its evolution, this iconic timepiece has retained the revolutionary spirit that made it both famous and coveted. The complete story of this icon is told in the new book Paradoxical Superstarwhich includes archive extracts and sketches of the designs and movements. British author and journalist Nicholas Foulkes, watch expert Gisbert Brunner and American writer Michael Clerizo all contributed to the book with chapters capturing the heritage and innovation that define Monaco. To underline the timepiece's connection with the city of the same name, His Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco wrote the book's preface.
Data sheet
MONACO 1989-1999 LIMITED EDITION
Ref. CAW211X.FC6468
MOVEMENT
TAG Heuer Calibre 11 automatic movement, 30 mm diameter, 59 jewels, balance oscillating at a frequency of 28 800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), 40-hour power reserve
FUNCTIONS
Chronograph with seconds and minute counter; date, hours, minutes and small seconds at 3 o'clock; chronograph minute counter at 9 o'clock; central chronograph seconds hand
CASH
39 mm diameter, stainless steel case, fixed stainless steel bezel, sapphire crystal, polished steel crown at 9 o'clock and pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock, water-resistant to 100 metres (10 bar), steel back with '1989-1999 Special Edition' and 'One of 169' engravings
QUADRANT
Grey rhodium-plated grains, blue and sand-blasted rhodium-plated counters, red accents on hands and hour markers, luminescent hour and minute hands
BELT
Blue calfskin strap, polished stainless steel folding clasp
Limited edition of 169
SPECIAL PACKAGING
Like the watch itself, the packaging is inspired by the original. Each of the special edition models comes in a box with colours matching the watch and the decade it represents. The ʽ90s-inspired model is packaged in a dark blue box decorated with the Heuer logo and a horizontal chequered pattern. The watch sits on a red cushion and is enclosed in a grey interior, the same colours as on the dial.
