Improving dial readability has always been a central concern for watchmakers, especially when it comes to sports, aviation, and diving watches. Perfect legibility from every angle is crucial, also for use behind the wheel. In this regard, TAG Heuer has introduced its famous Monaco model for the first time with an entirely luminescent dial. The Monaco Chronograph Night Driver is limited to 600 pieces.
As the day turns to night, the exterior of the dial is transformed from a cool, light grey to a glowing vivid blue, with black-lacquered indexes marking the hours. The chronograph registers are transformed to this same glowing blue, providing a vivid contrast with the black markings for minutes and hours, and the hands for the chronograph minutes and hours counters. The luminescence remains for 3 hours after being fully charged.
The Monaco Chronograph Night Driver Limited Edition also evokes some legendary Monaco chronographs from TAG Heuer’s heritage portfolio. The watch face of the very first Monaco chronograph from 1969, worn by Steve McQueen in the movie Le Mans, was called “Midnight Blue”. Other vintage Monaco chronographs used “charcoal grey” for their dials, with contrasting darker registers.
The case, measuring 39mm and water resistant to 100 meters, is made of grade 5 titanium and coated with black DLC (diamond-like carbon) material. It is distinguished by fine-brushed and polished finishes.
The motor under the hood is TAG Heuer’s in-house self-winding caliber Heuer 02. This column-wheel controlled chronograph movement boasts a power reserve of 80 hours. It comes to life through the sapphire case back, which displays blue printing on the black oscillating mass as well as the blue column wheel.
The Monaco Chronograph Night Driver is limited to 600 pieces and attached to a black calfskin leather strap. Pricing is marked at $9,550.
To learn more, visit TAG Heuer, here.