Legends Are Timeless: TAG Heuer Elevates Luxury Sports Watch Category with 40th Anniversary Monaco Limited-Edition Chronograph

BASEL, Switzerland, March 26 /PRNewswire/ — Four decades after capturing the world’s attention by appearing on the wrist of cinema legend Steve McQueen in the racing feature “Le Mans,” TAG Heuer’s iconic Monaco chronograph will be re-issued in June as a limited-edition timepiece.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090326/NY88849 )

The perfect marriage of vintage sex appeal and modern coolness, the 40th anniversary chronograph features the same revolutionary elements as the classic 1969 Monaco, including the original Calibre 11 movement. The first-ever self-winding automatic chronograph with micro rotor, the Calibre 11 provides wearers with precision timing comparable to the standards of professional chronometer instruments.

The breakthrough complication is housed within the Monaco’s distinctive square case, whose clean, geometric shape marked a radical departure from the rounded dials of the 1960s. Prior to the Monaco’s debut, watchmakers had been unable to create perfect water-resistant square or barrel-type cases, forcing them to produce only circular dials. TAG Heuer’s patented water-proofing system allowed for a break from convention, and the creation of the Monaco’s emblematic design. The timepiece is water resistant to 50 meters.

The latest iteration of the Monaco also pays homage to TAG Heuer’s history by featuring the brand’s original Heuer logo, which is flanked on the dial by two silver counters at 3 and 9 o’clock. The dark blue dial is further dramatically contrasted by fire-red minute, second and hour hands, as well as luminescent markers. Stainless steel pushbuttons at 2 and 4 o’clock, a hand-applied date window at 6 o’clock and curved, sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment complete the watch’s look.

Available in a limited quantity of 1,000 pieces, the Monaco’s caseback is signed by TAG Heuer honorary chairman Jack Heuer, and engraved with “in tribute to Steve McQueen.” The 40th anniversary chronograph is delivered in a special box and accompanied by both a dark blue alligator and punched calfskin strap, the latter of which resembles the original strap. It will retail for approximately $7,900.

McQueen and the Monaco

Nicknamed Hollywood’s “King of Cool,” actor Steve McQueen solidified his place in the pantheon of American cinema with his role in the racing film, “Le Mans.” The movie recounts the story of two teams competing on the world’s most difficult endurance race course, found in Le Mans, France. Striving for the utmost accuracy in portraying race car driver Michael Delaney, McQueen consulted his friend, Grand Prix champion and TAG Heuer ambassador Jo Siffert. At McQueen’s request, Siffert lent the actor his white racing suit, which was adorned with a “Chronograph HEUER” crest over the right breast. To complete the look, McQueen opted to wear in the film the brand’s new Monaco automatic Calibre 11. Since then, the model has been referred to as the “McQueen Monaco.”

About TAG Heuer

TAG Heuer, the leader in prestigious sports watches and chronographs since 1860, is one of the largest and fastest growing luxury Swiss watch Brands. The Swiss watch making legend draws upon its active engagement in the world of sports to create the most accurate measuring instruments and sports watches in the world. TAG Heuer is today the first watchmaker ever to master luxurious Chronographs with an unsurpassed precision of 1/10th, 1/100th and 1/1,000th of a second. From the Olympic Games in the 1920s to its role as official timekeeper to within 1/10,000th of a second for the legendary Indy 500, TAG Heuer, in a constant quest for innovation, excellence, performance and prestige, continues to aim ever higher, as reflected in its partnerships with Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in Formula 1 and its two aces: Fernando Alonso, youngest ever and already two times Formula 1 world champion and Lewis Hamilton, GP2 world Champion in 2006. With two times Formula 1 world vice-champion and Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen, with world number 1 golfer Tiger Woods and WTA number 1 tennis player Maria Sharapova, Champcar three times world champion Sebastien Bourdais, promising talent Bruno Senna as well as Hollywood and Bollywood icons Leonardo DiCaprio and Shah Rukh Khan, TAG Heuer more than ever epitomizes Sport and Glamour !

    For information:

    Rachel Branch                                   Dana Lenetz
    973-467-1890 ext 9271                           973-467-1890 ext 9302
    Rachel.branch@tagheuer.com                      dana.lenetz@tagheuer.com

SOURCE TAG Heuer