HISTORY: TAG Heuer Monaco (1997-)

 

Aside from the 3000 Series, which slightly overlapped the 'Heuer'/'TAG Heuer' eras, this is the first model I've attempted a history of that begins way back before the modern brand began. However, since I really don't have much knowledge of the original 'Heuer' Monaco (and not wanting to expose myself to tutting, head-shaking and ridicule from those on the Calibre 11 Forum who do) I've decided to restrict myself to starting from the 'Heuer' branded re-release in 1997. 

All watches are automatic unless marked (Q) for quartz.

1997 Catalogue

The Monaco is relaunched with just one model on one one strap.

CS2110.FC8119: 38mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap (Limited edition)

1998 Catalogue

A choice of straps is now offered, but it's the same basic model.

CS2110.FC8120: 38mm, black dial, steel case on a brown leather strap (Limited edition)

1999 Catalogue

Two new models arrive, utilising the same two black and tan/brown straps

CS2111.FC8120: 38mm, black dial, steel case on a brown leather strap

CS2111.FC8119: 38mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap

2000 & 2001 Catalogue

No new models are shown in these catalogues, but the following watch was released in 2001.

CS2113.FC----: 38mm, silver dial, steel case (2001 Limited edition)

2002/2003 Catalogue

This is more like it, now we start to see a proper 'range' of Monacos, including the first solid gold piece. Also, the Monaco now wears a TAG Heuer logo on the dial for the first time.

CW2111.FC6171: 38mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap

CW2112.FC6177: 38mm, silver dial, steel case on a black leather strap

CW2112.FC6178: 38mm, silver dial, steel case on a brown leather strap

CW2113.FC6183: 38mm, blue dial, steel case on a black leather strap

CW5140.FC8144: 38mm, silver dial, yellow gold case on a black leather strap

CW5140.FC8147: 38mm, silver dial, yellow gold case on a brown leather strap

2004 Catalogue

Three existing models from the 2002/3 Catalogue are now available on a bracelet

CW2111.BA0840: 38mm, black dial, steel case on a bracelet

CW2112.BA0840: 38mm, silver dial, steel case on a bracelet

CW2113.BA0840: 38mm, blue dial, steel case on a bracelet

In addition, TAG Heuer released a fifty piece limited edition Monaco for the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong based boutique brand 'Sincere'.

CW2115.FC----: 38mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap (Sincere Limited Edition)

2005 Catalogue

This catalogue sees the arrival of the 'unisex' 37mm model and also the gloriously crazy Monaco Sixty-Nine.

WW2110.FC6177: 37mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap

WW2110.FT6005: 37mm, black dial, steel case on a black rubber strap

WW2111.FC6204: 37mm, blue dial, steel case on a black leather strap

CW2111.FC6177: 38mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap

CW9110.FT6177: 40mm, black dial, steel reversible case on a black leather strap

In addition TAG Heuer released this first 'Gulf' themed Monaco and the Shah Rukh Khan limited edition of the Monaco Sixty Nine.

CW2118.FC6207: 38mm, white 'Gulf' dial, steel case on a black leather strap. (Limited edition)

CW9111.FC6177: 40mm, 40mm, black dial, steel reversible case on a black leather (L/E)

2006/7 Catalogue

More 37mm models arrive to fill out the range, and the first which are clearly aimed at a female audience.

WW2114.FC6215: 37mm, silver/diamond dial, steel/diamond case on a cream leather strap

WW2116:FC6217: 37mm, brown/diamond dial, steel case on a python strap

WW2118:FC6216: 37mm, black/diamond dial, steel/diamond case on a black leather strap

In addition TAG Heuer also released the second 'Gulf' dial Monaco.

CW211A.FC6228: 38mm, black 'Gulf' dial, steel case on a black leather strap. (Limited edition)

2007/8 Catalogue

Still more 37mm pieces arrived... but nothing new in the larger range.

WW2112.FC6215: 37mm, M.O.P dial, steel case on a cream leather strap

WW2113.FC6215: 37mm, M.O.P./diamond dial, steel case on a cream leather strap

WW2115.FC6217: 37mm, black dial, steel case on a python strap

WW2117.FC6216: 37mm, blacl/diamond dial, steel case on a black leather strap

2008/9 Catalogue

The venerable CAW Monaco appears, beginning a production run that will last a decade. Alongside this TAG Heuer also launched the ultra-modern Monaco LS.

CAW2110.FC6177: 39mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap

CAW2111.FC6183: 39mm, blue dial, steel case on a black leather strap (Limited Edition)

CAL2110.BA0781: 40.5mm, black dial, steel case and bracelet 

CAL2110.FC6257: 40.5mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap

In addition TAG Heuer also released the following pieces...

CAW211A.EB0026: 38mm, blue dial, steel case on a black strap (40th Limited Edition)

WAW2170.FC6261: 40.5mm, skeleton dial, platinum case on a black strap (Limited Edition)

CAW2113.FC6250: 39mm, grey 'Gulf' dial, steel case on a black leather strap (Limited Edition)

CAW2114,FT6021: 39mm, black/silver dial, steel case on a black rubber strap

CAW2114.FC6177: 39mm, black/silver dial, steel case on a black leather strap

2009/2010 Catalogue

No new pieces are shown in these catalogues, but TAG Heuer released the following models...

CAW211B.FC6241: 39mm, grey dial, steel case on a black leather strap (Limited edition)

CAW2117.FC6271: 39mm, black dial, steel case on a black strap (Singapore GP Limited Edition)

CAW2118.FC6285: 39mm, black/red dial, steel case on a black strap (Porsche Limited Edition)

CAL5110.FC6265: 40.5mm, black 'Gulf' dial, PVD case on a black strap (Limited Edition)

CAW2116.FC6271: 39mm, black dial, steel case on a black strap (Singapore GP Numbered LE)

2010/2011 Catalogue

TAG Heuer continue to expand the 37mm range with more feminine pieces...

WAW1315.FC6217: 37mm, brown/diamond dial, steel case on a python strap (Q)

WAW1313.FC6247: 37mm, M.O.P./diamond dial, steel/diamond case on a white leather strap (Q)

In addition TAG Heuer released the following limited edition pieces.

CAW211C.FC6241: 39mm, silver/grey dial, steel case on a black strap (Limited Availability)

CAW2119.FC6289: 39mm, black 'carbon' dial, steel case on a black strap (Limited Edition)

2011/12 Catalogue

This catalogue sees the arrival of the second Monaco 24, it always surprises me that the grey/orange came before the black/silver or blue/white models, I always think of it as the last of the four.

CAL5112.FC6298: 40.5mm, grey dial, steel case on a grey leather strap

WAW1316.EB0025: 37mm, brown/diamond dial, steel/diamond case on a brown leather strap (Q)

WAW1310.FC6216: 37mm, black/diamond dial, steel case on a black leather strap (Q)

2012/13 Catalogue

Another Monaco 24 is added to the range along with two limited edition pieces.

CAL5111.FC6299: 40.5mm, blue/white dial, steel case on a blue leather strap

CAW211D.FC6300: 39mm, blue/white dial, steel case on a blue leather strap (Boutique Edition)

CAW211K.FC6311: 39mm, black/silver dial, steel case on a black strap (ACM Limited Edition)

2013/14 Catalogue

Yet another Monaco 24, a stunning 'Automobile Club de Monaco' limited edition and additional haute horlogerie Monaco V4s...

CAW211M.FC6324: 39mm, black dial, PVD case on a black strap (ACM Limited Edition)

WAW2040.FC6288: 40.5mm, skeleton dial, rose gold case on a black strap (Limited Edition) 

WAW2080.FC6288: 40.5mm, skeleton dial, titanium case on a black strap (Limited Edition)

CAL5113.FC6329: 40.5mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap

2014 Catalogue

Just one new model in the 2014 catalogue, but it's a beauty... and a more affordable alternative to the ACM Limited Edition from the previous year's releases.

WW2119.FC6338: 37mm, black dial, PVD case on a black leather strap

In addition TAG Heuer released the following models...

CAW211N.FC6177: 39mm, grey/white dial, steel case on a black strap (Boutique Edition)

WAW2081.FC6348: 40.5mm, skeleton/tourbillon dial, titanium case on black strap (L/Edtn)

2014/15 Catalogue

No new models were shown in this catalogue, but TAG Heuer released the following model..

CAL2113.FC6536: 40.5mm, black dial, steel case on a carbon effect strap (Boutique Edition)

2015/16 Catalogue 

From here on the catalogues became much less comprehensive, only two new models were featured in the new 'small format' printed catalogue.

CAW211P.FC6356: 39mm, blue dial, steel case on a black leather strap

WAW2091.FC6369: 40.5mm, phantom dial, carbon case on a black leather strap (Limited edition)

2016/17 Catalogue 

No new models were shown in this catalogue, but we know the following models were released during this period...

CAW211S.FC6375: 39mm, black dial, steel case on a black racing strap ('France' L/E)

CAW211R.FC6401: 39mm, 'Gulf' dial, steel case on a blue leather strap 

CAW211E.FC6414: 39mm, olive dial, steel case on an olive leather strap ('Men's Club' L/E)

2017/18 Catalogue 

Again, no new models were shown in this catalogue, but we know the following models were released...

CAW211T.FC6440: 39mm, 'Gulf' dial, steel case on a black leather strap ('First Victory' L/E)

CAW2190.FC6437: 39mm, black/blue dial, carbon case on a black strap (Bamford Ltd Edition)

WAW131C.FC6419: 37mm, brown/dia dial, steel case, brown strap (Kingsman Ltd Edition) (Q)

2018/19 Catalogue 

Additional 37mm 'unisex' models are released...

WAW131A.FC6177: 37mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap (Q)

WAW131B.FC6247: 37mm, M.O.P./diamond dial, steel case on a white leather strap (Q)

WAW131E.FC6420: 37 mm, brown/diamond dial, steel case on a brown leather strap (Q)

2019/20 Catalogue 

It was the big 5-0 for the Monaco and to celebrate we had a 'set' of five Monacos, each representing a different decade. On top of that we also had the 'Final Edition' of the Calibre 12 and the first Heuer 02 Monaco.

CAW211J.FC6476: 39mm, 'rutheneum' dial, steel case on a black strap (Final 'Cal 12' L/E)

CAW211V.FC6466: 39mm, green dial, steel case on a brown leather strap (1969-1979 L/E)

CAW211W.FC6467: 39mm, red dial, steel case on a black leather strap (1979-1989 L/E)

CAW211X.FC6468: 39mm, 'concrete' dial, steel case on a blue leather strap (1989-1999 L/E)

CAW211Y.FC6469: 39mm, black/white dial, steel case on a black strap (1999-2009 L/E)

CAW211Z.FC6470: 39mm, black/silver dial, steel case on a black strap (2009-2019 L/E)

CBL2111.FC6453: 39mm, blue/silver dial, steel case on a blue leather strap

In addition, we also know the following pieces were released

CBL2113.BA0644: 39mm, black dial, steel case and bracelet

CBL2113.FC6177: 39mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap

CBL2111.BA0644: 39mm, blue dial, steel case and bracelet

CBL2114.FC6486: 39mm, red/silver dial, steel case on a black strap (Monaco Limited Edition)

CAW211U.FC6356: 39mm, cream dial, black PVD case on black strap (Hour Glass L/E)

2021 WATCHES

From this point on the catalogues are irrelevant, this post will be updated as new models become available (especially since we now seem to be in the era of the Limited Edition Monaco which have a shelf life of less than a month!)

CBL2116.FC6497: 39mm, green dial, steel case on a black leather strap (Limited Edition)

CAW218B.FC6496: 39mm, silver dial, titanium case on a black leather strap (Limited edition)

2022 WATCHES

CBL2115.FC6494: 39mm, blue dial, steel case, blue racing strap (Gulf Special Edition)

CBL2117.EB0254: 39mm, powder blue skeleton dial, steel case, black strap (Riviera L/E)

CBL2180.FC6497: 39mm, black dial, DLC coated case, black leather strap (L/E)

CBL2180.FC6497: 39mm, Max Verstappen Piece Unique Dark Lord Tribute

CBL2118.FC6518: 39mm, purple dial, steel case, black leather strap (Limited Edition) 

2023 WATCHES

2023 saw the release of the first 'generally available' skeleton dial Monacos.

CBL2182.FT6235: 39mm, skeleton dial, titanium case, blue rubber/leather strap

CBL2184.FT6236: 39mm, skeleton dial, DLC coated titanium case, rubber/leather strap

CBL2183.FT6236: 39mm, skeleton dial, titanium case, black rubber/leather strap 

Two 'piece unique' versions of these watches were given to Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Perez a variation on CBL2184 and Max a variation on CBL2182.

CAW218C.FC6548: 39mm, silver/blue dial, titanium case, blue leather strap (L/E)

CBL2181.FC6515: 39mm, grey/lume dial, DLC coated titanium case, black perf strap (L/E)

CAW211AC.FC6550: 39mm, grey dial, steel case, black perforated strap (L/E)

CAW211AD.XXXXXX: 39mm, grey dial, steel case. black perforated strap (L/E)

CAW218D.BC6666: 39mm, blue dial, titanium case, calf strap (L/E)

2024 WATCHES

2024 saw the launch of two frighteningly priced rattrapante Monacos, alongside a cool limited edition sold solely through the TAG Heuer boutique in Monaco.

CBW2181.FC8322: 41mm, skeleton dial, DLC/titanium case, red rubber strap (rattrapante)

CBW2182.FC8339: 41mm, skeleton dial, titanium case, blue rubber strap (rattrapante)

CBL2018C.EBXXXX: 39mm, skeleton dial, DLC/titanium case, red/wht strap (L/E)

CBL2188.FT6261: 39mm, skeleton dial, DLC/titanium case, blue rubber strap

CAW218E.FC6565: 39mm, silver/green dial, titanium case, green rubber strap (L/E)

OTHER WATCHES

These are watches not featured in any TAG Heuer catalogue and which I am unable to pin down as far as release year goes...

CAW2110.FC8119: 39mm, black dial, steel case on a black leather strap

CAW2110.FT6005: 39mm, black dial, steel case on a black rubber strap

CAW2110.FT6021: 39mm, black dial, steel case on a black rubber strap

CW2112.FC6176: 38mm, silver dial, steel case on a brown leather strap

CW2112.FC6172: 38mm, silver dial, steel case on a brown leather strap

CW2112.FC6171: 38mm, silver dial, steel case on a black leather strap

CW2111.FC6172: 38mm, black dial, steel case on a brown leather strap

CW2111.FC6178: 38mm, black dial, steel case on a brown leather strap

CW2117.FC6198: 39mm, white dial, steel case on a white leather strap

CW2111.LE6177: 38mm, black dial, gold bezel/steel case, black strap (Italy Limited Edition)

CW2113.LE6183: 38mm, blue dial, gold bezel/steel case, black strap (Limited Edition)

CW5141.FC----: 38mm, black dial, white gold case on a black strap (Limited Edition)

CW2114.EB0017: 38mm, brown dial, steel case on a python strap

WW2110.BA0780: 37mm, black dial, steel case and bracelet

WW2111.BA0780: 37mm, blue dial, steel case and bracelet

CAW211P.BA0780: 39mm, blue dial, steel case and bracelet

CAW2110.BA0780: 39mm, black dial, steel case and bracelet

CAW2111.FT6005: 39mm, blue dial, steel case on a black rubber strap

XXXXXXX.XXXXXX: Ume Thruman Piece Unique

XXXXXXX.XXXXXX: Crystal Corals Edition by Vincent Dupontreué

CW2119.EB0017: 39mm, silver dial, steel case, denim strap (Special Edition)

CAW2111.FC6255: 39mm, blue dial, steel case on a brown leather strap

CAW211L.----: 39mm, green/white dial. steel case on a black leather strap (Swiss L/E)

Penultimately, these are the ultimate Monacos, made as piece-unique or concept watches...

Monaco Mikrograph     Monaco Absolute     Monaco 360 Concept

WATCHES MADE FOR 'ONLY WATCH' 2021 & 2023

CBL2191.FC6507: 39mm, carbon skeleton dial and case, leather strap 

XXXXXXX.XXXXXX: 41mm, skeleton dial, textured titanium case, leather strap (rattrapante)

And last, but by no means least, the 'Grand Monaco' prototype, which resides in a glass cabinet in a workroom at the TAG Heuer's La Chaux de Fonds factory in Switzerland... or at least it did as of September 2018. I can only presume that this was intended as a partner piece for the 'Grand Carrera' but it seems that TAG Heuer had a change of heart and this eventually emerged in a modified form as the Monaco LS.

For more 'History' posts please click the link below to visit the 'History' menu, or click the tab at the top of the page marked 'History: An In-Depth Guide'.

http://tagheuerenthusiast.blogspot.com/p/history.html