Swiss luxury watch brand TAG Heuer presents a re-edition of its iconic MONZA Chronograph.
When it comes to the precision timekeeping, with technological marvels such as the Mikrograph 1/100th of a Second Chronograph and the Mikrotimer Flying 1000 Concept Chronograph, TAG Heuer is up front on the fastest track in Swiss Watch making.
In the case of Motor Racing, Monza, home of the Italian Grand Prix in the Formula One World Championship is considered as the fastest racing track in the world. This year, TAG Heuer is unveiling a new automatic chronograph model in a limited edition of 1911 pieces to confirm the Swiss watch brand’s historical ties with the fastest racing track in the world.
TAG Heuer’s link to the legendary goes back to a warm day in September 1975, when Swiss driver Clay Regazzoni took first place at Monza, and his teammate, Niki Lauda, took third, which was enough for him to win the Formula One World Championship for Ferrari.
Both Ferrari cars had the name “HEUER” emblazoned on their chassis — the brand had been the team’s official timekeeper since 1971. To honor the result, Jack Heuer reworked an existing coussin-shaped 1930’s model in a special limited series. Equipped with a high-speed Calibre 15 movement, the stunning new chronograph sported the name “MONZA” above the HEUER logo on the upper part of the dial. It has become one of the brand’s most coveted watches.
Re-issued in the early 2000s as part of the vintage-inspired Classic Heuer Collection, the Monza was then developed as a full range of watches featuring Calibre 6 movements, and chronographs, powered by either the Calibre 17 or the Calibre 36. Each piece in the series boasted the full TAG Heuer logo instead of the original Heuer logo. To this day, the Monza remains one of collector’s preeminent favorites.
Now, the long-awaited revival of the Monza is slated for a June 2011 delivery. Available in a limited edition of 1,911 pieces (to commemorate the famous “Time of Trip” dashboard chronograph of 1911), the new Monza chronograph celebrates the golden age of HEUER and the aesthetic codes of the 1970s: cushion-shaped bezel, blue hands on a white dial, luminescent “old rhodium” on the oversized Arabic numerals and hand markers, and chemin de fer indexes on the counters.
The small second sub-counter is at 9 and the chronograph minute counter is at 3. The HEUER logo reinterprets the original, but this is not a replica or retro edition, despite the polished vintage crown: inside ticks the lightning-fast Calibre 36 — next to the Mikrograph the fastest watch movement in the industry.
To make room for it requires a thicker, 38mm case. The case back is all new, too: screwed shut with sapphire crystal and engraved with the series number “N° XXXX/1911”. The classic HEUER blazon is also found inside the brown leather strap and on the folding buckle.
Technical details
Model: TAG Heuer MONZA Automatic Chronograph (38mm) Calibre 36 – Re Edition
Reference CR5112.FC6290: White dial, brown leather strap
Movement
TAG Heuer Calibre 36 – Date
Dial
• White dial
• Yellow luminescent arabic numbers
• Blue hour and minute hands with yellow luminescent markers
• 2 Sub-counters:
– Small second sub-counter at 9 o’clock
– Chronograph minute sub-counters at 3 o’clock
• “MONZA” and “CALIBRE 36” lettering on the dial
• Black minuterie with 05 to 60 minute indication
• Monochrome Heuer logo at 12 o’clock
• Date window at 4:30
Case
• Case diameter: 38 mm
• Polished & fine-brushed stainless steel case
• Polished vintage crown
• Curved scratch resistant sapphire crystal with double-sided antireflective treatment on the glass to ensure the best readability
• Screwed case back with sapphire crystal glace with “N° XXXX/1911” inscription
• Water resistance: 100 meters
Bracelet
• Brown leather strap with Heuer logo on the inner side
• Folding buckle with safety push buttons and Heuer logo
Availability
June 2011 (ex La Chaux-de-Fonds)
Edition
Limited Edition of 1911 Pieces
