Monday, 29 August 2022

HISTORY: TAG Heuer Monza (2000-2016)

 

The history of the TAG Heuer Monza is relatively short and simple (certainly compared to our last two trips down memory lane!), and begins in the year 2000. New TAG Heuer owners LVMH, clearly pleased with the success of the Carrera and Monaco re-issues in the late 1990s, decided their next revival piece would be the Monza... and so began six years of watches, before the model once again returned to obscurity, returning only for one solitary 35th Anniversary piece in 2011).

Then in 2016, under the helm of Jean Claude Biver, and celebrating its 40th Anniversary the Monza returned once more in a 42mm titanium and PVD case, but if you thought that was radical, think again, the Monza isn't finished yet... 

2000 RE-EDITION CATALOGUE

TAG Heuer relaunched the Monza with 'Heuer' branded dials in 2000, the model was only available with a black or silver dial and on a black or brown strap.
 

CR2110.FC6161: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap
CR2110.FC6162: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, brown leather strap
CR2111.FC6161: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, brown leather strap


CR2111.FC6162: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, brown leather strap


2002-2003 CATALOGUE

Come 2002 and the Monza was rebranded with 'TAG Heuer' logos on the dial. In addition the brand added chronometer spec chronos, a gold case option and a three hander with a small seconds subdial.


CR2113.FC6164: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap 
CR2113.FC6165: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, brown leather strap
CR2114.FC6164: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap


CR2114.FC6165: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, brown leather strap
CR5110.FC6175: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap (C)
CR5110.FC6176: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, brown leather strap (C)


CR5111.FC6175: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap (C)
CR5111.FC6176: 38mm, silver dial, steel bezel and case, brown leather strap (C)
CR514A.FC8145: 38mm, silver dial, gold bezel and case, black leather strap (C)


CR514A.FC8146: 38mm, silver dial, gold bezel and case, brown leather strap (C)
WR2110.FC6164: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, black leather strap
WR2110.FC6165: 38mm, black dial, steel bezel and case, brown leather strap


2004 CATALOGUE

While the Monza made an appearance in the 2006 catalogue, the last new model was released in 2004. Another gold case small seconds, and again offered on either black or brown straps.


WR5140.FC8145: 38mm, silver dial, gold bezel and case, black leather strap (C)
WR5140.FC8146: 38mm, silver dial, gold bezel and case, brown leather strap (C)


2016 CATALOGUE

The Monza was silent for decade, but returned just in time to celebrate its 40th Anniversary. These were individually numbered but since no total number was given it was considered a 'special' rather than 'limited' edition - although those phrases are used with random abandon in the TAG Heuer universe!


CR2080.FC6375: 42mm, black dial, PVD titanium bezel and case, black racing strap


2023 WATCHES

The Monza returned unexpectedly in 2023 with a carbon case and a rather peculiar looking skeleton dial...


CR5090.FN6001: 42mm, skeleton dial, carbon case, textile strap (A)



OTHER WATCHES

Just one watch to add here, this white dialed chronograph complete with blued hands and an El Primero movement. This was the aforementioned 35th Anniversary piece and was released in June 2011.

CR5112.FC6290: 38mm, white dial, steel bezel and case, brown lizard strap (C)


So there we have it, the complete history of the Monza in the TAG Heuer era. After the Aquaracer it was a pleasant few hours work to put together. 


Please click the link below to visit the 'History of TAG Heuer' Menu page:

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