This weekend, Max Verstappen will be competing for victory at the F1 World Championship in Las Vegas. The Dutchman could win his first F1 title in 2021, becoming the sixth driver to achieve that milestone by winning four years in a row. As many of you may know, TAG Heuer is a proud partner of the Red Bull Racing Team. Coinciding with Verstappen’s title win, the brand released the latest version of its Monaco chronograph. The colorful Las Vegas skyline at night inspired the look of this watch. It features a stealthy black aesthetic brightened by bright pink elements. This is a watch that is sure to light up the Las Vegas race, regardless of whether Verstappen wins the title or not.
A while back, I had the opportunity to check out the titanium TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green. I was pleasantly surprised by the combination of appearance and ease of wear. It dramatically changed the way I thought about the TAG Heuer Monaco. What I generally characterized as an iconic but difficult to wear watch changed overnight. The combination of a just-sized, lightweight titanium case and a stylish vintage-inspired look creates one of the nicest and most surprising hands-on experiences of the year. Along with this watch, I also had the opportunity to check out the new shiny black and pink version of the Monaco Chronograph.
The story of the black and pink TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph
In contrast to the Racing Green version, this new model represents a different side of TAG Heuer Monaco. In addition to its completely different colorful aesthetic, this watch also features an openwork dial that reveals its inner workings. The designers also incorporated pink elements that liven up the watch significantly. This distinct aesthetic is inspired by the Las Vegas skyline at night. The pink elements represent the bright neon lights of the city, while the black case and openwork dial serve as a canvas for the night.
At first glance, you might be reminded of Monaco’s famous ‘Dark Road’, which the brand brought back in 2022 in a ceramic version. Both watches have a black case, dial, and strap background, but you can see that the details are very different. If you look into it in detail. This might be a bit sudden, but I think this bright pink and black combination is cool. It’s not a combination I would choose for a watch, but it makes for a fresh Monaco that immediately stands out.
Details of the black and pink TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph
Let’s take a look at the specs and features of the watch. First off, it features a black DLC-coated grade 2 titanium case that measures 39mm in diameter, 15.5mm thick, and 47.4mm lug to lug. This model is slightly thicker than the racing green version at 14.35 mm thick. The case is fully sandblasted, giving it an overall matte look for maximum stealth.
The case is water resistant to 100 meters and features a beveled domed sapphire crystal on top. I love the dramatic presence of crystals. This is a distinctive element that perfectly complements the shape of the case and creates a stunning profile.
The crystal protects the black sandblasted dial with three counters. However, you may not notice it at first. That’s because the first two chronograph hands are bright pink, while the third running seconds hand is just a small hand. The minute totalizer at 3 o’clock and the hour counter at 9 o’clock have white numerals in a black center, with bright pink opaline edges holding white markers. At 6 o’clock, you can see a small black gold-plated hand that indicates the seconds hand. There is a date display just below the small hand.
Black openwork dial with pink details
Because of the openwork dial, a large part of the date wheel is visible. Thankfully, a small pink indicator and white background help highlight the actual date. The date wheel rotates below the black chapter ring that holds the minute track. Around the dial and inside the chapter ring, there are black hour markers coated with pink Super-LumiNova, which glow blue in the dark. Finally, at 12 o’clock is the Monaco wordmark and the rhodium-plated TAG Heuer logo.
Above the dial are faceted black gold-plated hour and minute hands. Each is filled with white Super-LumiNova and, like the indexes, glows blue in the dark. Completing this handset is the pink lacquered central chronograph hand. All in all, there’s a lot going on on the dial. However, thanks to the high-contrast pink elements, there are no problems reading it. The date ring is deep inside the case and is not pink, making it a little difficult to see the date. At least TAG Heuer created a bit of contrast by using a white background.
Equipped with in-house chronograph movement
Inside the titanium case is the in-house caliber TH20-00. This automatic chronograph movement operates at 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of 80 hours. It features a quick-set date, a blacked-out rotor with pink lettering, and a bright pink column wheel that fits well with the watch’s overall aesthetic. The movement is carefully finished and the customized rotor and column wheel are also nice details.
Wearing a black and pink TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph
Perhaps it’s not surprising that the watch snaps once on the wrist. It is easy to wear thanks to its lightweight titanium case and relatively modest proportions. But compared to the racing green version, it’s a different beast. The beauty of black overall may seem hidden, but that’s only true when worn with something black.
If not, the black exterior alone provides quite a bit of contrast. Add bright pink details and this Las Vegas-inspired watch will be hard to miss. The aesthetic is a simple “Yes!” or “It’s not for me” with little in between.
The watch is equipped with an embossed black calfskin and rubber strap, a grade 2 titanium folding clasp with sandblasted black DLC treatment, push buttons and a Tag Heuer shield. The strap is very comfortable and balances the watch nicely on your wrist. What I liked was the clean movement of the chronograph. The pushers feel solid and well-made, and start, stop, and reset the chronograph with solid clicks. Similar qualities are evident in the crown. It’s really fun to turn and there’s no play between the crown and hands, so you can set the time perfectly.
Final thoughts on the black and pink TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph
We had a great time in this luxurious modern version of Monaco. I have it in my office at the same time as the racing green version, so it was a great opportunity to check them out side by side. If you prefer the traditional style of the TAG Heuer Monaco in a classic racing context, the Racing Green version is perfect for you. This new black and pink version is a much more modern and bold option that fits well with the current F1. I may be a fan of the former, but for TAG Heuer, the point is that they were able to transform the classic Monaco to appeal to an audience that prefers something more modern, while still fitting the context of the race. It’s working to my advantage.
Both watches are unmistakably Monaco variations, and both approaches to design work extremely well. It’s mostly a matter of which one you prefer stylistically. When it comes to the difference between the Sellita-based Caliber 11 that powers the Racing Green and the in-house TH20-00 that powers this watch, I would vote for the latter.
The sub-second display on most TH20-00-equipped models feels like an afterthought, but on this version it’s barely noticeable and less of a visual question mark. But while it makes a big difference to me, I’m sure most people who buy this black and pink version do so because of its color and style. This new black and pink Monaco chronograph is not a limited edition and costs CHF 11,000. What you get in return will definitely turn heads.
Let us know what you think about the new black and bright pink TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph in the comments section below.
