TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Final Limited Edition Watch Review
Wednesday - 20 November 2019
It’s the end of an era for the TAG Heuer Monaco collection as we say farewell to the Calibre 12 automatic winding movement, a Swiss made calibre that has powered several Monaco models since its introduction in 2009. But before we say one final goodbye, the brand have announced this stunning TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Final Edition watch, a limited edition of 1,000 pieces to be released in January 2020 as a send-off for the venerable movement.
The Calibre 12, based on the Sellita SW300-1, will still be found within other TAG Heuer watches but as of today the TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Final Limited Edition watch will be the last of its kind to showcase the movement. Its retirement makes room for the Calibre Heuer 02 in-house manufacture calibre that recently made its debut within the new Monaco Heuer 02 which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Monaco collection. As far as replacements go, the Calibre Heuer 02 certainly gets a thumbs up from us for its excellent mechanical precision and power reserve of 80 hours.
With that being said, the TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Final Edition watch still impresses with fantastic functionality and technical elegance that can be partly witnessed through the sapphire crystal case back. It boasts a high frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, rapid date correction, 59 rubies and an exquisite "Côtes de Genève" oscillating rotor. The Swiss made calibre also provides classic hour and minute hands, subsidiary seconds at 3 o clock, a date window, central chronograph seconds and a chronograph minutes counter at 9 o clock. We are also treated to a healthy power reserve of 40 hours.
Most of you who are familiar with the TAG Heuer Monaco will likely recall the iconic blue-dialled versions inspired by the famous timepiece worn by Steve McQueen in the 1970’s film ‘Le Mans’. But for the TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Final Limited Edition watch, we are treated to a masculine black on grey dial that for the first time has been crafted from vertically brushed ruthenium. This rare material gives off a subtle iridescence when looked at from certain angles and when coupled with the satin polished black opaline subdials provides a truly unmissable finish that reacts beautifully with changing light.
In typical Monaco fashion, the dial of the TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Limited Edition is also complimented by sporty red accents and housed beneath scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass treated with an anti-reflective coating. The iconic square case measures to 39mm by 39mm and is crafted from fine brushed and polished stainless steel and fitted with a smooth fixed bezel. The package is completed by a sophisticated black alligator leather strap and a classic stainless steel deployment buckle.
As we have said, there are only 1,000 pieces of the TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Final Limited Edition watch being released in January next year, and as a notable and versatile limited edition we expect it to sell out fairly quickly. But don’t worry, Jura Watches have your back and you can pre-order the watch before anyone else on our website here. By pre-ordering, you guarantee yourself one of the very first models to be released! Orders yours now with interest free finance and free delivery available.
Specifications: TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 Final Edition Watch (CAW211J.FC6476)
- Case Size: 39mm x 39mm
- Case Material: Fine brushed and polished stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal
- Case Back: Exhibition with limited edition engraving
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Calibre 12 automatic winding
- Functions: Central hands for hour, minutes and chronograph seconds, subsidiary seconds, chronograph minute counter, date
- Power Reserve: 40 hours
- Jewels: 59
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Grey vertically brushed ruthenium with black sub counters and luminescent markers
- Strap: Black alligator leather
- Buckle: Deployment
- RRP: £4,895
- Limited Edition: 1,000 pieces
- Release Date: January 2020
