The Monaco Gulf Special Edition honors the 50th anniversary of the Gulf Racing stripes and their logo. The watch features the emblematic blue and orange racing stripes along with the Gulf logo on the watch’s dial. The distinctive color scheme is maintained throughout the design of the timepiece, including the blue perforated leather strap accented with orange stitching.

The Heuer Monaco model was launched simultaneously in Geneva and New York on March 3, 1969 and is historically the first Swiss made automatic chronograph watch that is both square and waterproof. Originally introduced by Heuer in honor of the long-standing partnership with the Monaco Grand Prix, the watch broke the aesthetic codes of traditional watchmaking.

TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Special Edition

The Monaco introduced several innovative features including a metallic blue dial, domed glass, the first waterproofing technology for a square watch and particularly the crown positioned on the left, signaling that the watch did not need to be wound. The watch also featured the famous Chronometric Caliber 11 which was the first automatic chronograph movement marketed in the history of watchmaking. Immediately recognizable and often copied, the "McQueen Monaco" (model 1133B) is a coveted watch on the auction market and a popular collector's piece.

Steve McQueen famously portrayed driver Michael Delaney, while sporting a Monaco 1133B Calibre 11 automatic timepiece in the 1971 film Le Mans, which depicts the golden age of motor racing. In an effort to emulate his driving coach and Swiss racecar driver Jo Siffert’s personal style, McQueen insisted on wearing the watch during the filming of Le Mans. McQueen’s character was sponsored by Gulf Oil and both his white livery and Porsche 917 car were decorated with the Gulf Stripes.

Steve McQueen

Movie stills of McQueen wearing the Monaco have contributed to the popularity of the square-shaped timepiece and TAG Heuer is thrilled to pay tribute to the rich history of the Gulf stripes and motor racing for the 50th anniversary of the stripes.

The special edition piece is only available in the United States and currently available for pre-sale through September 15 on TAGHeuer.com, retailing for $5,900. The watch will then be available for sale in the U.S. and officially presented during Watch Time’s exhibition at Gotham Hall in New York City. Thereafter it will be available to wholesale trade in the U.S.