It’s something of annual tradition for Tag Heuer to release a new edition of the Monaco Chronograph to coincide with the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix each year. They’re often some of the coolest and most interesting designs in the Monaco collection such as 2021’s Titan, plus they have natural models in the form of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, drivers for Team Red Bull, who are partnered with Tag Heuer. For the 2024 edition of the race, Tag has released the Tag Heuer Monaco Chronograph Skeleton in dark blue and yellow.
As a note on nomenclature, a skeleton watch is traditionally one that has its dial and movement adapted in such a way to remove as much material as possible to create a skeletal style display – which you can read more about in Issue 102 of Oracle Time. By this definition, it’s possible to argue that the Tag Heuer Monaco Skeleton isn’t a purebred skeleton watch as the movement is in no way skeletonised. Fortunately, Tag Heuer only ever claim in their marketing around their skeleton Monacos that they have open-worked, skeleton dials and that detail in specific is true.
Jumping to the new Monaco Grand Prix edition, it has a 39mm diameter case in the traditional square shape of the Monaco. It’s made from grade 2 titanium and coated with black DLC, giving it improved scratch resistance and a dark, sporty aesthetic. Maintaining the theme of dark colours, the skeletonised dial is a dark blue, navy tone.
However, the black case and blue dial simply provide a backdrop for the incredibly striking and vibrant yellow chronograph hands across the central chrono seconds, 30-minute timer and 12-hour timer. Dark blue and yellow… where in motorsport have I seen that combination before? Ah yes, the Red Bull livery.
While it’s not officially called it, this may as well be the Tag Heuer Monaco Red Bull Edition. Although they have at least tried to be subtle about it by avoiding the use of red, which would have really hammered the colourway home.
The movement glimpsed through the dial and exhibition caseback is the Calibre Heuer 02 automatic with 80-hour power reserve. It’s the TH20-00 edition of the 02, meaning it’s equipped with a bidirectional rotor. It’s at the higher end of Tag’s core collection movements, though nowhere near as prestigious as the TH81-00 housed in their Monaco Split-Seconds.
All that remains is the price. The Tag Heuer Monaco Chronograph Skeleton for the Monaco Grand Prix is £9,850, which puts it in the same ballpark as the existing skeleton models. If you’re an F1 fan, keep an eye out for this watch when Verstappen no doubt ends up on the podium at the GP this weekend (May 26th).
Price and Specs:
More details at Tag Heuer.
