Podcast A Matter of Time podcast, Season 3 : The Grand Story of Monaco

3 min

From the original model unveiled in 1969 to the Split-Second Chronograph model, delve into the history of the TAG Heuer Monaco and uncover why it has become an icon for motorsport enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Behind every iconic watch there’s a timeless story. Welcome to A Matter of Time, a new podcast by TAG Heuer. Hosted by Nicholas Biebuyck, Heritage Director at TAG Heuer, we dig into our archives to bring you untold stories of our timepieces and how they have influenced watchmaking, sport, and popular culture through time. In this third season, we embark on a journey to explore the legendary history and heritage of the iconic TAG Heuer Monaco. Don’t forget to subscribe to A Matter of Time, wherever you listen to your podcasts, to discover the TAG Heuer universe.

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Nicholas Biebuyck, Heritage Director at TAG Heuer

TAG HEUER MONACO: FOUR DECADES OF METAMORPHOSES

Carried by certain legends of motorsport and cinema since 1969, the iconic TAG Heuer Monaco embodies fearless spirit and unwavering passion. With its uniquely square shape, it has captivated the most nonconformist individuals by constantly reinventing itself. From its beginnings to today, dive into the history of the TAG Heuer Monaco with Nicholas Biebuyck, Heritage Director at TAG Heuer.

EPISODE 1: 1969 - THE MAKING OF MONACO

Flash back to 1969. As manual wind watches were losing ground to automatic models, Jack Heuer and an unusual team of collaborators established ‘Project 99’. This led to the creation of the now legendary Calibre 11 automatic chronograph movement and of course, the birth of the Monaco.

Reference 1133B

  • Heuer Monaco, Reference 1133B

"Le Mans" Steve McQueen 1971 Solar Productions

EPISODE 2: 1971 - WHEN MCQUEEN MET THE MONACO

In this episode, we look at why the names ‘Monaco’ and ‘Steve McQueen’ have become inseparable decades after the watch and the superstar were brought together. We begin at Circuit de la Sarthe, home to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and go all the way to the silver screen, where Steve McQueen wears the culture-defining Monaco in the movie ‘Le Mans’.

Reference 1133B

EPISODE 3: 1978 - THE "DARK LORD" RISES

Turn the clocks back to 1974. The Monaco wasn’t performing very well commercially. In fact, it disappeared from the catalog entirely. But then in 1978, a black-coated Monaco reference came to light, becoming a collector’s favorite and one of the rarest Monaco watches ever. This is the story of Reference 74033 N, or as collectors like to call it, the ‘Dark Lord’.

Reference 74033 N

  • Heuer Monaco, Reference 74033 N

EPISODE 4: 1997 - THE MONACO REBORN

In this episode, we explore the relaunch of the TAG Heuer Monaco in 1997, its rise in popularity and its lasting impact on the brand.

Reference CS2110

EPISODE 5 : 2004 - CRAFTING THE MONACO V4

This time, we uncover the story behind the incredible TAG Heuer Monaco V4. From its design and development to its finer details and legacy, this horological masterpiece paints a direct line between watchmaking and motorsport. 

Reference WAW2080

  • TAG Heuer Monaco V4, Reference WAW2080

EPISODE 6: 2022 - TAG HEUER x GULF - AN INDELIBLE PARTNERSHIP

In this episode, we explore one of our most iconic partnerships: TAG Heuer x Gulf. From the origins of the iconic Gulf livery in the 1970s to the latest iteration of this glorious partnership: the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph x Gulf.

Reference CBL2115.FC6494

EPISODE 7: WATCHES & WONDERS 2024 - THE MONACO SPLIT-SECONDS CHRONOGRAPH

Live from the TAG Heuer booth at Watches & Wonders 2024 in Geneva, Nicholas Biebuyck introduces the latest iteration of the Monaco. Meet the TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph, the first-ever mechanical split-seconds chronograph created by TAG Heuer.

Dive into the captivating universe of the legendary TAG Heuer Monaco through these seven fascinating episodes. Explore its heritage, rediscover its innovations, and relive its most iconic partnerships in this journey through the past.

Reference CBW2181

TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph, Reference CBW2181.FC8322