TAG Heuer redefines the Monaco, its classic square watch, for a new generation

Few watches have challenged convention quite like the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph. When it launched in March 1969, it rewrote the rules of watchmaking as the first square, water-resistant chronograph, powered by the revolutionary Calibre 11. Its bold geometry and unconventional design made it an instant outlier. To uncover the full, intriguing history of a watch that would go on to define an era, Wallpaper* took a deep dive at the brand’s headquarters in Switzerland – watch our film, above.

Discover the new Monaco Chronograph

More than half a century since the Monaco’s inception, TAG Heuer returns to this icon with a considered redesign that sharpens its distinctive silhouette while enhancing comfort and performance. Drawing inspiration from the original model, the new Monaco Chronograph refines its proportions through a newly engineered 39mm case in grade-five titanium. Subtle curvature along the case sides and a reworked caseback improve ergonomics, bringing a new level of wearability to the square form.

The dial has been equally rethought. Carefully balanced typography and text placement enhance legibility, while contrasting subdials and applied elements introduce depth without disrupting clarity. The sapphire crystal, now closer to a true square, reinforces the Monaco’s architectural identity, resulting in a watch that feels both faithful to its origins and distinctly contemporary.

The redesigned Monaco is presented across three references. The first revisits the signature blue dial, its red accents recalling the model famously worn by Steve McQueen in 1971 film Le Mans; a second iteration introduces a sunray-brushed green dial inspired by British racing codes; and the third pairs a black opaline dial with a two-tone case in titanium and 18ct 5N rose gold.

At the heart of each model lies the in-house automatic Calibre TH20-11, a next-generation movement developed from TAG Heuer’s TH20 platform. With an 80-hour power reserve and a five-year warranty, it represents a significant step forward in reliability and precision. The bi-compax layout, with counters at three and nine o’clock and a date at six, pays homage to the original Calibre 11 – alongside the signature crown positioned on the left side of the case.

The result is a sensitive evolution of one of watchmaking’s most recognisable designs. By refining its form, enhancing its mechanics and reaffirming its pioneering spirit, TAG Heuer ensures the Monaco Chronograph remains what it has always been: a bold expression of innovation, redefined for the present.

www.tagheuer.com