Launched in 1969, TAG Heuer’s Monaco was the first square-shaped chronograph watch. The watch has always been closely associated with motorsport, and was immortalized through the wrist of Steve McQueen and celebrated by generations of Formula 1 enthusiasts. Now, pushing the boundaries once again, the brand introduces the new Monaco Speed 12, transforming a high-performance engine into a kinetic horological spectacle.
Presented during the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2026, the new Monaco Speed 12 channels the rhythm and mechanical drama of a 12-cylinder racing engine through an innovative display unlike anything previously seen in the collection. Developed in collaboration with La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, the watch is powered by the automatic Caliber TH84-00, a movement based on the patented Spin Time architecture created by master watchmakers Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini.
Instead of conventional hour markers, twelve rotating titanium pistons encircle the dial. As the central minute hand completes its journey around the dial, one piston returns to its original position while the next rotates 90 degrees to reveal the current hour. The result is a dynamic interpretation of the jumping-hour complication that continuously animates the watch with the cadence of a finely tuned racing engine.
The movement is showcased within a 40mm Grade 5 titanium Monaco case that remains faithful to the model’s signature square architecture while introducing an even more technical aesthetic. Four black DLC-coated open-worked arches suspend the movement inside the case, creating a striking sense of depth and transparency. A square sapphire bezel and domed sapphire crystal maximize visibility of the rotating pistons, while the skeletonized minute hand and vertically grooved dial center further reinforce the automotive inspiration.
Limited to 50 pieces, the watch is paired with a black rubber strap featuring a textile embossing and contrasting red hand-stitching, and will be available from December 2026.
Price: Rs. 84,00,000
This article first published in WatchTime.com
Images: Courtesy brand
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