Watch & Jewelry
April 1, 2015
TAG Heuer | Monaco Vintage Chronograph Gulf Limited Edition
TAG Heuer
Monaco Vintage Chronograph Gulf Limited Edition
Monaco Vintage Chronograph Gulf Limited Edition
By Yasuto Shibuya
The legendary racing stripes, once worn by Steve McQueen, adorn the dial.
In 1971, the iconic film "Le Mans," chronicling the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, was released. Steve McQueen, the legendary actor and racing driver, produced, starred in, and participated in the race himself. The most powerful machine he drove during that era was the "GulfPorsche917K." This watch is a special limited edition featuring the iconic orange and blue Gulf stripes on the dial, the same colors as the car's body, familiar to racing enthusiasts. The base model is the new "Monaco AutomaticChronograph." It is packed with premium details, such as a transparent case back to admire the movement.
TAG Heuer Monaco Vintage Chronograph Gulf Limited Edition
Automatic winding
42-hour power reserve
Case diameter x thickness | 39 x 39mm
Case | Stainless steel case
Water resistance | 100m water resistance
Limited to 5,000 pieces worldwide
Price | ¥546,000
BRAND HISTORY
TAG Heuer has been actively involved in sports since its inception, consistently supporting the evolution of motorization, earning respect from many athletes, including racers.
Its predecessor, Heuer, was founded in 1860 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, by Edouard Heuer, who was only 20 years old at the time. The company obtained a patent for a keyless winding pocket watch in 1868 and showcased a split-seconds chronograph at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1889, winning a silver medal, demonstrating its early prowess.
In 1916, they unveiled the "Micrograph," a stopwatch masterpiece still celebrated today. With its groundbreaking ability to measure time to 1/100th of a second, Heuer rapidly gained global recognition as an indispensable brand in the world of sports.
Indeed, this achievement led to the company being appointed as the official timekeeper for three Olympic Games, starting with the 1920 Antwerp Games.
While the company had already introduced the "Time of Trip," an automotive dashboard clock, in 1911, its deep connection with motorsports continued unabated.
In 1964, they launched a chronograph named after the legendary road race "Carrera," which became a favorite among many racers of the era.
Then, in 1969, they introduced the "Monaco," equipped with the world's first automatic chronograph movement. It was famously cherished by Hollywood star Steve McQueen, both on and off-screen, and its image was seared into the minds of race fans worldwide through the cinematic masterpiece "Le Mans."
Like many other brands, Heuer faced a business crisis in the 1970s due to the quartz shock. However, in 1985, it made a remarkable comeback with investment from the TAG Group, which also owned the F1 McLaren team, and was renamed TAG Heuer.
The brand deepened its ties with motorsports even further and actively promoted its image by appointing ambassadors such as Tiger Woods, Maria Sharapova, Brad Pitt, and Uma Thurman. TAG Heuer also garnered significant attention for its mechanical innovations, unveiling the "V4" prototype in 2004, which utilized a timing belt and ingot, and in 2005, the "Calibre 360," an automatic chronograph capable of measuring time to 1/1000th of a second, a first for a wristwatch.
【Year Founded】1860
【Place of Founding】Saint-Imier, Switzerland
【Main Series Names】Grand Carrera, Carrera, Link, Monaco, New Aquaracer, Formula 1
【Inquiries】LVMH Watch & Jewelry Japan TAG Heuer Division 03-3613-3951
Official Website: http://www.tagheuer.com/
LVMH Watch & Jewelry Japan TAG Heuer Division
Tel. 03-3613-3951