Editor’s Note
This article explores the enduring legacy of two iconic timepieces: the TAG Heuer Carrera and Monaco. Born from motorsport, these watches have transcended their technical origins to become symbols of timeless design and innovation, worn by legendary champions on the track.
Since their launch, the TAG Heuer Carrera and TAG Heuer Monaco have represented true symbols of innovation in the world of watchmaking. Legends of motorsport have worn these icons on their wrists during their greatest successes. Created in 1963, the TAG Heuer Carrera, blending classicism with modernity, is prized for its timeless elegance and exceptional legibility. It has adorned the wrists of the greatest racing drivers, from Niki Lauda to Ronnie Peterson, during their stunning victories. Launched in 1969, the TAG Heuer Monaco unveiled major innovations with its unique square case and its status as the first waterproof automatic chronograph. It became a true icon in 1970 when Jo Siffert wore it during a motor race and was immortalized by Steve McQueen in the film “Le Mans.” These two collections, admired for their innovative spirit and enduring appeal, continue to captivate both collectors and enthusiasts.
TAG Heuer
1860, Saint-Imier at the heart of the cradle of watchmaking. A young, ambitious watchmaker decides to found his own watchmaking house. His name: Edouard Heuer. At only 20 years old, he revolutionized the watchmaking industry by breaking free from established rules. Since then, TAG Heuer’s vocation has been to push boundaries and challenge conventions to invent incredible watches and chronographs of extreme precision. In 1887, the invention of the oscillating pinion illustrates this spirit with a simplified chronograph design and improved performance, principles that still underpin our engineering philosophy today. Then in 1916 came the Mikrograph, the first chronometer accurate to 1/100th of a second, solidifying Tag Heuer’s reputation as a high-precision timekeeper in competitive sports. The world of TAG Heuer is indeed intimately linked to motorsport and the division of time into infinitely small units, but its aura goes much further. Sharing TAG Heuer’s philosophy, our prestigious partners and brand ambassadors express the brand’s passion for action and high performance. The brand is notably a partner of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, the World Endurance Championship, and the Indianapolis 500. All TAG Heuer ambassadors – from motorsport legends Ayrton Senna and Steve McQueen, to Hollywood icons Ryan Gosling, Patrick Dempsey, Alexandra Daddario, and Wi Ha Jun, as well as tennis stars Naomi Osaka, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Petra Kvitovà – share the common ability to “not crack under pressure,” constantly pushing their limits. The brand’s spirit of adventure is also represented by big-wave surfers Kai Lenny and Maya Gabeira, as well as rising athletes like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Fred Kerley, Summer McIntosh, and Sky Brown.
1887
HEUER FILES A PATENT TO IMPROVE THE “OSCILLATING PINION.” THIS ENHANCEMENT ALLOWS THE CHRONOGRAPH TO START AND STOP INSTANTANEOUSLY THANKS TO THE ACTION OF A PUSHER.
1969
THANKS TO THE CALIBRE 11 MOVEMENT, THE JOINT VENTURE LED BY HEUER WILL BE THE FIRST TO OFFER AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPHS ON WORLD MARKETS.
2015
LAUNCH OF THE TAG HEUER CONNECTED, THE FIRST CONNECTED LUXURY WATCH, STILL THE LEADER IN ITS CATEGORY.
2022
TAG HEUER LAUNCHES THE CARRERA PLASMA, A REVOLUTIONARY WATCH FEATURING LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS, WHICH MARKED THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA IN THE FIELD OF CONTEMPORARY WATCHMAKING.
The House’s commitment to pursuing a perpetual quest for excellence drives the four production sites in Switzerland in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Cornol, Tramelan, and Chevenez, where innovation and tradition unite to create watches of unparalleled quality and a lasting legacy. In the peaceful Swiss Jura, the TAG Heuer movement manufacture in Chevenez bears witness to the brand’s watchmaking expertise. One of the few watchmakers to manufacture its movements in-house, TAG Heuer has been at the forefront of Swiss-developed and manufactured automatic movements for over ten years. Our sophisticated calibers, including the famous Heuer 02 (Ref. TH20-00), are manufactured with remarkable precision. They house components like the column wheel and a vertical clutch that increase the chronograph’s accuracy.
Jean-Michel, Master Bootmaker, Berluti