ON THE WRIST: Heuer Monaco 'Racing Green' Calibre 11 Limited Edition Chronograph

 

TAG Heuer Boutique / 28th September 2024, Meadowhall, Sheffield

At the tail end of last year I was lucky enough to get hands-on with the previous 'Racing Blue' Monaco and I really quite liked it. Sure it had the wrong logo on it and the crown is on the silly side of the case, which I don't like, will never like and can't understand why other people think that's how it 'should' be... but regardless, it was a nice watch. 🤣

So when TAG Heuer launched a new version, similarly limited to 1000 pieces, I thought 'Okay - this looks pretty good and I like the green'. However when I looked a little closer... it started to lose its appeal a little bit, not least because the green subdials were actually a little bit tealy, and worse still the strap didn't match all that well.

Having now got hands on with this one, I'm afraid the sad truth is that it just doesn't pack the same punch that the 'Racing Blue' did. In fact, it looks quite dull in person and somehow the green doesn't bounce off the silver dial as well as it should (or as well as the bright blue of the previous model did), which leaves the impression of a lot of bland, empty silverness... 

Also, the strap and subdials are close, but not close enough for me and honestly I would much prefer it if the subdials took the green colour of the strap rather than the other way round. I don't know what it is with TAG Heuer and green this year... they've been ramping up the green the last few years but they seem to have gone plain bonkers with it in 2024 and it's getting really, really annoying. Meanwhile they steadfastly refuse to make a pink watch larger than 36mm, but perhaps now Tudor have released their pink dial 42mm chronograph someone will think again?

This watch costs a hefty £8150 and features the same sand blasted titanium case as the 'Racing Blue', which means I can't afford one... but honestly, I look at these photos and they really don't move me at all. It's just kinda boring. I mean admittedly I'm not the biggest fan of the Monaco anyway, especially the Calibre 11 versions, but this must surely rank as one of the least successful of all of them. No doubt there will be a few people who, as always, trade their old Monaco LE for the new version, but honestly I'd be inclined to hang on to the blue one.

Finally, those 'Tiffany' blue lume pots are just weird... for sure this watch needs something to give it some pizzazz, but that sure ain't it! Yes, the yellow backing on the green strap is a cool touch, but of course you can't see it when it's on the wrist. So I'm afraid, all in all, this is a bit of a fail in my opinion. 

(With sincere apologies to Hubert!)