The Gulf x TAG Heuer Monaco makes its return in sandblasted titanium
Zach Blass- TAG Heuer debuts its latest Monaco chronograph in partnership with Gulf.
- The 971-piece limited edition finds itself in a sandblasted grade 2 titanium case.
- Its pinstriped, fine-grained silver dial is evocative of the Gulf livery seen on McQueen’s 917K Porsche and the race suit worn in Le Mans.
It is an exciting time for TAG Heuer, with the motorsport-centric watch brand once again the Official Timekeeper of F1 racing. Such a sponsorship comes with a hefty cost. So, a brand, whose novelties are already racing-world heavy regardless of such a partnership, is understandably doubling down even further. We have seen a new Formula 1 Chronograph, the return of the Formula 1 watch to the standard catalogue with the Formula 1 Solargraph, and a variety of Carrera Chronograph pieces in recent months. Today, alongside a few other novelties, the Monaco gets its turn back in the limelight with a new Gulf edition of the legendary Monaco Chronograph.
While Gulf’s laurels and accolades are very much influential in the real world, it of course had an iconic moment within pop culture and film with Steve McQueen’s Le Mans. This film is largely credited for the rising popularity of the world’s first-ever squared automatic chronograph: the TAG Heuer Monaco. In recent years, many Gulf editions of the Monaco have had blue dials that incorporate the signature pinstripes.
In the case of the new TAG Heuer x Gulf Monaco Chronograph, however, a fine-grained silver dial is framed by a 100 metres water-resistant sandblasted grade 2 titanium case expectedly measuring 39mm in diameter, 15mm thick, and 47.4mm lug-to-lug. When you look at this dial, accompanied by the blue and orange pinstripes, it really harkens back to the Gulf livery of McQueen’s Porsche 917K and race suit in the Le Mans film. This is further driven home by the two bundled straps, a white textile strap with orange stitching and a perforated blue leather strap with orange stitching.
Though modernised with titanium and remixed with a grained silver Gulf dial, the TAG Heuer x Gulf Monaco Chronograph remains faithful to the original Monaco design layout with a left-side crown and uses the calibre 11 that was found in the original Monaco as well. A 40-hour automatic chronograph movement is hardly record-breaking, but it is clear this limited edition of 971 pieces (inspired by the 917K Porsche) is a strong effort that will surely tug at the heartstrings of enthusiasts of motorsport, Gulf, and especially of Le Mans and Steve McQueen.
I think it is great that buyers have both straps at their disposal, but the clear winner in my book is the white textile strap – such a strong summer watch look, and don’t forget the 100-metre depth rating! The TAG Heuer x Gulf Monaco Chronograph also arrives at the perfect time, right ahead of the first time the legendary race will embrace the name of a title partner. Spoiler alert, it is TAG Heuer.
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph x Gulf pricing and availability
The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph x Gulf is a limited edition of 971 pieces and will be available beginning May 2025 for purchase. Price: CHF 9,300
| Brand | TAG Heuer |
| Model | Monaco Chronograph x Gulf |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 15mm (T) x 47.4mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Sandblasted grade 2 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Silver, blue and orange pinstripes, fine-grained texture |
| Crystal | Bevelled domed sapphire crystal, exhibition caseback |
| Strap | White textile strap, orange stitching Additional blue perforated leather strap, orange stitching, sandblasted titanium folding clasp |
| Movement | Calibre 11, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 40 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Limited to 971 pcs. |
| Price | CHF 9,300 |