When one thinks of Formula 1, there are the immediate connotations of danger, speed and thrills, with the likes of Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, and the Monaco Grand Prix being first past the post when recounting the schema. Connecting the latter trio is a Swiss watch which encapsulates all the former, offering an attention and commitment to detail that even the novice horologer comes to expect from a Swiss watchmaking family entrenched in tradition, ever since their birth in 1860.
While TAG Heuer are a company proud of their Swiss heritage, they are often one to break from the expected, producing the world’s first square automatic chronograph in the TAG Heuer Monaco. Since the range’s conception in 1969, they have been designed in honour of the Monaco Grand Prix, building up to form an outstanding range that any discerning gentleman would be proud of sporting.
TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Watch
The word ‘classic’ is utilised extensively when it comes to fashion, but rarely are the words more relevant than when applied to the simply stunning Monaco Calibre 12. It was in 1971 when this sleek timepiece rose to popularity, adorning the wrist of Steve McQueen in Le Mans. The dazzling blue face frames the dials, athletically reminiscent of speedometers, with the sapphire crystal case protecting the TAG Heuer calibre 12 automatic movement which powers the timepiece at 28,800 vibrations per hour.
The watch’s legacy is such that it has began to make reappearances on the small screen, with Breaking Bad’s Walter White, played by Brian Cranston, sporting the chronograph in AMC’s critically acclaimed series. The rugged style and shape of the Monaco Calibre 12 are the ultimate accompaniment to a suit and chic following the in the same manner. For only £4,050, or £90 a month for 36 months with a 20% deposit, you could be that gentleman, accelerating your finesse from zero to timeless with one striking timepiece.
TAG Heuer Monaco V4
Bringing the relationship between the Monaco Grand Prix and TAG Heuer into the modern day is the Monaco V4, the world’s first belt-driven watch. Inspired by the engine of the very motors synonymous with the Monaco Grand Prix, this self-winding timepiece is powered by belts and ball bearings due to its linear weight, as well as boasting a brilliantly fascinating skeletal visage under the sapphire crystal.
Much like a race car, such deviation from the norm is testament to both the designers and engineers behind such a piece, proving that nearly 50 years later, TAG Heuer are still pushing their own boundaries, as well as the perceived limitations on horology as a whole. Everything from the Tonneau design and black alligator strap to the stunning evolution displayed in the innovative automatic movement, justify the £50,000 price tag, bringing the wearer to the forefront of horological technology and at the pinnacle of style.
Visually diverse, the TAG Heuer Monaco range offers a stunning array of fashion companions for anything from the casual get together to the formal dinner party. TAG Heuer’s affiliation with the Monaco Grand Prix has brought about some dynamic dedications to craftsmanship whilst offering a distinctively sleek and exceptional commitment to style. Never one to settle for second place, you can expect the unexpected with the TAG Heuer Monaco range as they continually strive for pole position in a race fought by some of the finest names on the horological circuit.
So if you would like to discuss the range further with one of our horological experts, then don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact our passionate experts on 01524 38 48 58, where they will be eagerly awaiting your call. Alternatively, you can also find Banks Lyon on Facebook and Twitter, where you can keep up-to-date with the industry news and goings on in our newly renovated store.