The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Now Gets a Grade 5 Titanium Case

It's an undeniable fact that TAG Heuer’s Monaco Chronograph enjoys a cult status in horology. The timepiece was catapulted to stardom when Hollywood actor Steve McQueen appeared in the 1971 film, Le Mans, showing off this watch on his wrist. Here, we are talking about a watch that’s not just telling a story, but is a story in itself. After releasing three timepieces this year to honour the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, the timepiece maker has now unveiled the Monaco Chronograph Night Driver (Ref. CBL2181.FC6515) watch, limited to only 600 pieces.

There is something seductive about nighttime that allures us in every possible way. There is a reason why many people prefer to take out their cars and just hit the open road at night. In the words of Elvis Presley, “You don’t like hot rod racing or driving late at night, you just want to park where it’s nice and dark.” It's pure magic when you are in a sports car or a cabriolet on the open road at night.

Those who enjoy the intense feel of the road and their cars, and want to test the limits of their own capabilities will be fascinated by this watch. The new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Night Driver comes in a 39 mm, black DLC, grade 5 titanium, polished, and fine-brushed case, which is an upgrade from the previous model’s grade 2 titanium case. There is a fixed titanium bezel, along with two chronograph pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock to start and restart the function; the crown has the same DLC coating. 

The limited-edition timepiece also gets an anthracite, grey opaline, grained dial, with a blue, luminescent outer dial. The dial has a circle in the middle, a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. There is a date window at 6 o’clock, with a white background and black numeral, and just above it lies a seconds indicator. Black gold-plating can be found on the hour markers, and hour and minute hands that get blue Super-LumiNova®, along with a grey lacquered central second hand.

At night, the deep grey “circle” at the centre of the dial provides strong contrast with the bright blue Super-LumiNova® finish of the hour, minute, and chronograph seconds hands as well as the bright dots that mark the hours. Powering the Monaco Chronograph Night Driver Limited Edition is an in-house movement, Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic, offering 80 hours of power reserve. The movement uses a traditional column wheel to reliably actuate the chronograph. 

Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire caseback with blue printing on the black oscillating weight, a blue column wheel, and four visible screws. The watch is finished on a black, perforated calfskin leather strap with light grey stitching and a black DLC grade 5 titanium folding clasp, sporting double safety push buttons. TAG Heuer will present the Monaco Chronograph Night Driver Limited Edition in a dedicated packaging that will evoke the racing heritage of the Monaco collection in a “nomad” travel pouch. All 600 limited-edition pieces are individually engraved.