The 2023 Monaco Grand Prix is just around the corner, so it’s time for another chapter in the eponymous, iconic, chronograph. This time around, we see the brand turn not to the past, but look to the future of this square sports watch and release three new TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton Dials.

The Low-Down

First things first. We’re getting three different takes on this new look Monaco, in ‘Original Blue’, ‘Racing Red’ and ‘Turquoise’. Colours aside, these watches all feature a 39mm sandblasted titanium case, with a black DLC coating on the ‘Turquoise’ variant. All come on a black calf and rubber strap, either black or blue, for the original blue model. All models are powered by the increasingly ubiquitous (and excellent) Calibre HEUER 02 automatic. The titanium case and strap are noteworthy in and of themselves, but really, if we’re being honest, the star of the show is the brand-new, open-work dial. When it comes to the aggressively open architecture, TAG Heuer has done a very good job of creating a design that honours the geometry and functionality of the Monaco, with a strong ‘X’ shaped motif that is amplified through the generous application of luminous material along the cardinal lines. All three watches will be part of TAG Heuer’s core collection.

IMHO

It’s hard to go too far wrong with a Monaco. The fundamentals and the legacy of the watch are so ingrained and strong that no matter how wild the design is, it works. And I’ve got to say, this particular take on the Monaco is one of the most exciting we’ve seen in some time. It takes elements we’ve seen in recent releases — like the Bamford collab and the carbon fibre Monaco and mixes it up together into something exciting and new. For a long time, TAG Heuer’s Monaco has been a place where the brand tells stories about its past — it’s so entwined with the whole Le Mans/Steve McQueen story that it makes sense. So it’s exciting to see the brand that has Avant Garde built into the name push the Monaco into some new territory. It’s impressive how good these watches look, the contemporary style doesn’t feel forced, and the luminous party trick is always appreciated. I had the chance to handle these watches in person at Watches & Wonders, and they were one of a handful of watches that really stood out as something different.

Tech Specs

TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton

Movement: Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic, 80 hours of power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, date
Case: titanium, 39mm, sandblasted and satin-brushed (black DLC coated on Turquoise model), water-resistant to 100M
Dial: Open-worked n red, blue or turquoise
Strap: Embossed calf and rubber in black or blue, depending on model
Price: Estimated price of CHF 10,500 for the Red and Blue models, CHF 11,000 for the Turquoise