Monaco Twenty-Four review

Monaco Twenty-Four

A groundbreaking prototype inspired by the endurance race cars of the 24 of Le Mans

Since Steve McQueen wore a Monaco on his wrist in his 1970 film classic, Le Mans, TAG Heuer has been linked to the historic race. With the Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph, the team looked to the technology of GT racecars for their inspiration.

Since Steve McQueen wore a Monaco on his wrist in his 1970 film classic, Le Mans, TAG Heuer has been linked to the historic race. With the Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph, the team looked to the technology of GT racecars for their inspiration. The result - a high-performance concept watch with extreme shock protection - is set to break records once again.

TAG Heuer's proud link to this historic race began 40 years ago, when their first brand ambassador, Jo Siffert, was the fastest man on the track. The first Monaco, the supporting star on Steve McQueen's wrist in Le Mans, was then the hottest watch on the circuit. Ever since, the Monaco has showcased TAG Heuer innovation and creativity in its award-winning concept versions.

The MONACO Twenty Four Concept Chronograph is inspired by the phenomenally powerful race cars – true marvels of leading edge engineering and design – that compete each June in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

GT racecar technology was the trigger for two Monaco Twenty Four innovations, a unique tubular design and extreme shock-protected components. The powerful TAG Heuer Calibre 36 movement “floats” inside a black PVD case, suspended within a steel-tube housing very much like a race car driver’s protective cockpit cage.

The Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph is a triumph of lightness and transparency, yet it looks like it could go 400 km an hour down the endurance race's fabled Mulsanne Straight.

The Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph possesses several innovations inspired by the powerful GT racecars of Le Mans.

A high powered engine

This piece is powered by the superlative TAG Heuer Calibre 36 movement, beating at 36.000 beats/ hour, as relentlessly as the engine of a Le Mans prototype. The movement is visible from the front and through its sapphire crystal caseback.

Shock protection which mirrors a race car's cockpit cage

The Calibre 36 movement "floats" inside a black PVD case, suspended within an "energy manifold" steel-tube housing. The components inside the polished black PVD-coated case are further insulated with a shock-absorbing "composite filter" material used in aerospace and auto racing.

Racy styling

The design is taken from the iconic exterior of Steve McQueen's original square case Monaco. There is an oversize "24" at 12 o'clock and the emblematic blue and orange livery of Gulf Oil. The innovative two-part dial's semi sub-counters at 9 and 3 o'clock have "doubled" hands.

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