On paper, this watch completely, categorically, mustn’t work. This isn’t only a blacked-out TAG Heuer Monaco, or perhaps a skeletonized blacked-out Monaco. It’s all of that, however additional augmented by highlights in what would possibly effectively be the most popular scorching pink ever to grace a watch dial. In idea, the Swiss model’s newest try to reinvigorate the Monaco looks as if a monument to extra and poor style, however one way or the other, this offbeat colorway finally ends up as sheer horological enjoyable. Dripping with rock-and-roll swagger and nonetheless sporting one of many model’s greatest fashionable actions, the brand new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph in black and pink creates a wild, however compellingly well-executed new character for the fashionable skeletonized Monaco.
The 39mm vast, DLC-coated Grade 2 titanium case of the brand new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph in pink ought to be acquainted to followers of the model, and stays just about unchanged from earlier iterations. Though the arcing, complicated curves and squared-off silhouette will not be new, this acquainted form varieties a stable, surprisingly muted baseline to construct upon. The all-over matte blasted black ending works to offer the traditional right-hand-crown Monaco form a extra architectural, modernist really feel, but in addition helps to maintain this typically cumbersome wearable and balanced on the wrist. Talking of wearability, this is likely one of the most comfy iterations of the Monaco design as effectively. Most Monaco variants are licensed hair-pullers on the wrist (particularly by myself hirsute arm), however the mixture of the strap and what I can solely assume is a extra flush-fit sapphire show caseback window made this one genuinely gratifying to put on. Moreover, the all-black, modernist tackle the form is likely to be probably the most visually efficient course to take with the right-hand-crown Monaco. In naked metal, the right-hand-drive design can come off as a simplified, homogenized tackle the unique left-hander, however this extra aggressive, modernist ending philosophy helps to offer the fashionable Monaco a way more distinct character. That stated, this case remains to be a full 15.2mm thick, and this sizeable heft on the wrist might show divisive. Like different Monacos, the Monaco Chronograph in pink gives a stable 100 meters of water resistance.
Clearly, the pink TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph’s skeleton dial is its actual centerpiece, and whereas the skeleton structure is shared with earlier variations the general impression on the wrist is starkly totally different. This primarily comes right down to this model’s dedication to a blacked-out aesthetic. Each single one of many skeleton bridges, the outer minutes scale, the skeleton date wheel, and even the acquainted faceted baton handset are all rendered in shades of black, with important info and dial textual content in easy white. This makes this model probably the most fashionable, legible skeleton Monacos on the wrist and directs visible focus again to the (reasonably restricted) seen motion components and the blazing pink highlights. There’s no getting round the truth that these vivid hot-pink components on the hour markers, chronograph fingers, and the subdial scales are loud, unorthodox, and gleefully to not everybody’s tastes. It takes a sure sort of design and a sure character for this colour palette to work on the wrist, however regardless of the knee-jerk response the watch’s on-paper description might encourage, the Monaco Chronograph in pink defies the chances and easily clicks. There’s a defiant, hard-rock kind of power to this design, with simply sufficient colour to keep away from feeling overwhelming whereas nonetheless leaving a dramatic visible impression.
With all that in thoughts, although, does it nonetheless really feel like a Monaco? That is arguably TAG Heuer’s most visually iconic nameplate. TAG Heuer model ambassador, actor, and racing driver Patrick Dempsey agreed after we spoke to him in a latest interview, stating “It began once I was a child with slot automobiles, a toy Porsche 917, and even there there’s the Heuer emblem on the automotive. Then I get slightly bit older, and clearly, there’s Steve McQueen with the Monaco in ‘Le Mans.’ So, when the time got here, my very own first TAG Heuer simply needed to be a Monaco. The connection was all there.” With that sort of cultural endurance, maintaining the spirit of the unique design is a troublesome balancing act, however one which the pink Monaco manages moderately effectively. Nevertheless, the dial right here isn’t excellent, because the 6 o’clock working seconds show is nigh-on illegible and the date show beneath is troublesome to learn at indirect angles.
TAG Heuer powers the Monaco Chronograph in pink with its in-house TH20-00 automated chronograph motion. The TH20-00 stands because the model’s flagship in-house chronograph motion and its total efficiency stacks up effectively in opposition to its largest rivals. Not solely does it deliver a fascinating vertical clutch and column wheel (in dial-matching scorching pink, no much less) to supply a light-weight, crisp, and ultra-precise chronograph really feel, however the motion’s 80-hour energy reserve at a 28,800 bph beat price is an amazing profit. When it comes to ending, particularly for a skeleton design, the general presentation right here is surprisingly conservative. On the dial facet, the one main seen components are the outsized mainspring barrel, the jewel for the steadiness wheel, and a handful of substances practice components. On the caseback facet, the view is likewise easy, however handsomely executed. Nearly all of the motion is hidden behind a signed bridge topped with clean, even Côtes de Genève, with a handful of components just like the steadiness wheel and 12 o’clock column wheel uncovered. Like different situations of the TH20-00, the motion is topped with a skeletonized shield-motif rotor, sporting a layered design in black.
To finish the package deal, TAG Heuer suits the Monaco Chronograph in pink with a rubber-lined deployant strap in black leather-based. Topped with a fabric-effect sample, it’s a suitably fashionable, sporty pairing for the design, however one which’s sufficiently subtle to maintain the wearer’s focus squarely on the dial. When it comes to wearability, it’s tender, light-weight, and impressively versatile, making for a superb long-term carrying expertise.
Seasoned, long-term watch fans (trade professionals included) typically develop a behavior of pre-judging a watch solely on the spec sheets and a primary description, with out considerably digging into the timepiece itself. The brand new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph in skeletonized pink is proof of how this method to observe judgment typically falls brief – though this watch will not be notably revolutionary and the colour palette is just about designed to separate opinions, this is likely one of the boldest, most cohesive, and most flat-out enjoyable releases we’ve seen from the model lately. The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph in pink is accessible now by means of licensed sellers. MSRP for this watch stands at $11,250 USD as of press time. For extra info, please go to the model’s web site.
