TAG Heuer unveils the tempting new Monaco Chronograph

The brand’s square icon has been updated with design tweaks and a new manufacture automatic movement. It is presented in three versions.

Kunaal Khemka

April 14, 2026

0Points

What is the new Monaco Chronograph?

For Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, TAG Heuer has unveiled the new updated Monaco Chronograph. Launched in 1969, the Monaco is a motorsport inspired watch made famous by Hollywood; Steve McQueen’s character Michael Delaney wore one in the 1971 film Le Mans, forever “cementing its status as an icon of style and a cornerstone of motor racing culture.”

The new design of the new Monaco Chronograph is as close as possible to the original Monaco reference 1133, with “a new more ergonomic design, elevating comfort and refinement, and now powered by the in-house automatic Calibre TH20-11.” It is presented in three versions.

Also Read: TAG Heuer unveils an exciting new motorsport inspired smart watch

What are the three dial versions?

Blue opaline dial. Hour and minute hands are rhodium-plated, facetted, polished and coated with white Super-LumiNova with red lacquer accents. Central chronograph hand is red lacquered. Applied horizontal hour-markers are rhodium-plated, facetted, fine brushed and polished. Silver opaline 30-minute counter (3 o’clock) and small seconds counter (9 o’clock) with black markings and black lacquered hands. Circular hour and minute track features white Super-LumiNova and red lacquer hour-markers.

Green sunray-brushed and lacquered dial. Hour and minute hands are rhodium-plated, facetted, polished and coated with white Super-LumiNova with black lacquer accents. Central chronograph hand is rhodium-plated and fine brushed. Applied horizontal hour-markers are rhodium-plated, facetted, fine brushed and polished. Black opaline 30-minute counter (3 o’clock) and small seconds counter (9 o’clock) with white markings and rhodium-plated hands. Circular hour and minute track features white Super-LumiNova hour-markers.

Black opaline dial. Hour and minute hands are 18K 5N rose gold plated, facetted, polished and coated with white Super-LumiNova with black lacquer accents. Central chronograph hand is 18K 5N rose gold plated. Applied horizontal hour-markers are 18K 5N rose gold plated, facetted, fine brushed. Silver opaline 30-minute counter (3 o’clock) and small seconds counter (9 o’clock) with black markings and black lacquered hands. Circular hour and minute track features white Super-LumiNova hour-markers.

What are three versions case and strap features?

Blue and Green dial versions feature a Grade 5 titanium fine brushed case and fixed bezel. Dial side features a beveled and domed sapphire crystal. Grade 5 titanium caseback features a sapphire crystal.

Black opaline dial version features a Grade 5 titanium fine brushed and polished case and an 18K 5N rose gold polished fixed bezel. Dial side features a beveled and domed sapphire crystal. Grade 5 titanium caseback features a sapphire crystal.

Case diameter: 39 mm. Water resistant up to 100 metres. All three versions come with a black calfskin leather perforated leather strap fitted with a Grade 5 titanium fine brushed and polished folding clasp with double-safety push buttons.

Is Calibre TH20-11 based on an existing movement?

TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Calibre TH20-11. — Image: A modern and reliable chronograph movement.

Yes, Calibre TH20-11 is based on TAG Heuer’s existing calibre TH20-00, an automatic movement which beats at a modern frequency of 4 Hz or 28,800 vph. The new Calibre TH20-11 is also an automatic movement that drives the central hours and minutes, small seconds, date, and chronograph functions: central chronograph and 60-minute counter. It has a power reserve of 80 hours.

Its bi-compax layout of the two counters at 3 and 9 o’clock, and date at 6 o’clock pays tribute to the reference 1133’s calibre 11, hence the “11” in TH20-11. The destro crown (left side of the case) is another feature of reference 1133.

What do we think?

TAG Heuer an uncanny ability to make desirable watches at accessible price points, as aspect that has helped them go from strength to strength in recent years. The Monaco Chronograph is a fitting example. The brand has reinvented it. It is as close to the original, yet every bit a modern watch. The hard part is deciding which of the three versions to acquire. Either of them would be a pleasure to have in one’s collection.