The Controversial TAG Heuer Monaco - Cool or Ridiculous? 

Channel Support: www.paypal.me/industrialdesignguy Latest Releases: ru-vid.com/show-UCzf6rqsEBni5G2TSevD6F4Afeatured Community: ru-vid.com/show-UCzf6rqsEBni5G2TSevD6F4Acommunity

I bought a Calibre 11 after much debate, soul searching and contemplation. This is a lot of money to spend on a TAG. I have to say the physical piece is stunning and a delight to own. I don't wear it daily, but when I do it gets a lot of compliments and conversation, far more than my submariner and speedmaster. It's not for everyone, clearly. For me however, the big chunky case and the way the rectangles catch the light takes my breath away.

Forget Steve McQueen. The TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 is the watch that Jesse Pinkman gave to Walter White for his 51st birthday in Breaking Bad. White then used it to time five different jailhouse murders all within 2 mins. We should call it the Heisenberg.

Somerset Maugham once said: "Monaco, a sunny place, full of shady people".

I need a Ford GT40 to wear with this watch. 👍

King of cool, iconic, classic, legend, timeless, Heur Monaco calibre 11 is a must have watch in your watch collection! Walter white & Steve McQueen brought me here 😎

I have had one for 18 years and it always Sparks a conversation. Wrist candy...

This is without a doubt one of my grail watches that I’ll probably never get to own. But I absolutely love the blue Steve McQueen version. My other grail is the blue Breitling Navitimer.

It's both. Very cool, but like wearing a 70's television on your wrist.

Have one and it has become the most notable in my collection. I collect GULF items, so I naturally had to have this classic, not to mention McQueen is the coolest ever.

Not really a watch guy but I noticed a Monaco while passing it in a store and mentioned it to my wife. She surprised me with the black dial version a few weeks later. Now I’m wearing it every day and really enjoying it. It is a larger watch but since I’m large (6’3”, 240lbs) it does not look out of place, at least I think it doesn’t. I’m kind of glad I didn’t get the blue. One reason is because the black dial pulls a bit away from Steve McQueen and Breaking Bad and the other is that I wear a lot more black than I do blue. But both look pretty cool.

I bought this watch for my 50th birthday, I was born in 1969 and spent time at the 50th Grand Prix In Monaco 1992… perfect timing to purchase, absolutely love the Caliber 12 beautiful.

Steve McQueen wore it.....simple as that

I just knew you would accept the challenge and rise to the occasion! Great take and video, as usual, my friend. I would suggest that if anyone is offered the chance to handle a Monaco (specifically one with the calibre 11) to take it and form their opinion with watch in-hand. Either way, it is quite a piece to experience.

It’s on McQueens wrist. Knowing what this man was about in real life. Nothing needs to be said, nothing needs to be explained. Rolex does not belong in this conversation. The word cool? Just put the picture beside it. Enough said.

Can’t argue. Your insight, knowledge and passion for this is brilliant to watch and listen to. Your arguments are compelling and impossible to counter. Have you considered international diplomacy? I reckon you could sort out Brexit easily! Great vid as usual 😉👍

This is my favorite chronograph watch. I don't know why but I like it more than the Daytona or the Speedmaster or the El Primero. It is so different and with so much more character imo. That is of course my personal opinion and taste

The "Steve McQueen" (crown on the left) is my fave watch, and I wear it daily, only switching it for my Tudor and Casio when appropriate. I even bought a bracelet for my Monaco because it doesn't come with one as standard, only leather. I love the watch for so many reasons: comfy case, great colourful dial, chronograph, two subdials (I dislike 3 subdials), crown on the left (I'm a lefty), and all the history. The watch is pure character, and despite the very outdated movement and lack of real technical marvel, no other watch makes me feel so happy. It's not a perfect watch, but it's my perfect watch, and it genuinely makes me so happy to wear it. I truly love it, and there's nothing else I'd wear every day for the rest of my life. My only wish is for TAG Heuer to update the movement (COSC would be great) and add better shock and magnetic resistance.

Thank you- My favorite celebrity watch,the name Monaco does visualize that life style.

Another wonderful video on a very interesting watch.As a former owner of a Monaco Calibre 11, I can say that I enjoyed the compliments I received when i wore it, however it never really felt right or sat well on my wrist. So I eventually traded it in for a Rolex Explorer 214270 Mk 1 which I absolutely love and fits like a glove.

Not a fan of this watch, but big fan of your vids, congrats on 10k

Cool. Perfectly balanced design. I own one.

Walter White

I'm not rich, but I have a Monaco. I rarely wear it from one end of the year to another and largely don't think of it. However, when an important time in my life arrives, a wedding, a funeral, its my goto.

My favorite watch.

It's a personal thing, I am fortunate enough to have the new gulf special edition, I love it. People who are into watches do notice it even if it's not for them.

I have the original in my collection and I love it. It’s a watch that always gets asked about when I have it on out and about. I want the Calibre 11 as well so I’m saving now for that

Steve Mcqueen is the definition of cool, so no matter what is was previously,it instantly became cool and desirable the moment it appeared on his wrist on film.

I've always been alright with the design. That said, with smart watches being more and more common nowadays, the square look is coming back. Heck even Sevenfriday's design looks cool

Yeah, I don't believe that this watch could or would be made today. It took imagination and balls to put this together, and deliver it to the public back then. Today, with all the design protos coming from some computer animated scale up, it just would not fit into the acceptable norm.

Stunning watch without a doubt bought 1 about 6 months ago.

To me this will forever be Heisenberg's watch

10:05 Was just randomly watching this video was was quite pleasantly surprised to see my watch.

An excellent analysis my friend! Your choice of words in explaining it are perfect. BTW, I wonder what Steve really thought about this watch?

Not my cup of tea, but surely an iconic and beautiful watch in its own way. Never missed a single tiny spot on scanning all aspects of a piece, do you? Splendid job as always, man! Looking forward for the El Primero.

Great video as always. I am the proud owner of a first generation re-issue Heuer Monaco cs2110 and it is truly an awesome piece, even if rather polarizing.

I love the 70’s design and this one is so desirable... sadly my wallet isn’t fat enough to afford one

9:26 Epic! Positive and perfectly annotated!

The one in 10:15 looks like a driver's helmet; pretty cool. At first glance I thought it was hideous but the more I looked at it, the more "retro" sort of feel I got from it. And I couldn't exactly explain why but you've pretty much put everything I've felt into words in this video. Great one!

people looking for other's opinion on monacos are not ready for the monacos

I feel like I need this with my F1😂

isn't the caliber 11 just an extra chronograph module atop an ETA-movement? El Primero is made from scratch, no? anyway, is today's caliber 11 in any way similar to the original one?

5:08 It is insights like this that sperate this channel from the others. I've been made to feel guilty for not desiring only "timeless" asthetics. Well, perhaps part of the fun of collecting are those pieces that refuse to become "timeless"... whatever that means.

After 7 years of owning the Heuer Cal 11 Monaco I am still as excited about putting it on my wrist as I was on the first day I got it for my round birthday. I have the original box and McQueen packaging which came with the initial release in 2015. Saddly you don‘t see this around in recent years which is a shame. I will always cheerish it especially after admiring the Cal 12 in the windows during my younger years

I debated for years whether or not purchase this watch. It’s a lot of money for a Tag Heuer, or any watch for that matter. That said, I’m really glad I got the Calibre 11. It’s a great watch with a timeless look and iconic history. 🏁

I love the videos! Could you do one on the Blancpain leman reveil GMT? My father has one and I find it to be one of the most stunning dials in person. Thank you

Is not a surprise to me that many of the iconic design in history are from the 60s and 70s. Heuer Monaco is a masterpiece and fun piece that will always be attached to Porsche aficionados and people like me that DO NOT LIKE SUV WITH HUGE SCREENS AND ELECTRONIC GADGETS all over. The golden aga of racing cars is beautiful and the Heuer Monaco is in the epicentre of it. The dial and the colour scheme is absolutely incredible.

bypass the Tag Heuer Monaco & Brew Retrograph Technicolor and get the BERN Ayrton Blue Bi Compax Chronograph for $295!

Monaco cool AF, Steve Mc Queen absolute legend

My absolute grail!

You hit the nail on the head with this piece

Heuer is not Tag Heuer

That green Monaco is unbelievable, never seen that color scheme, tasty!

its a classic

Stunning watch. I’ve listed after one for a few years and now it’s coming home. Can’t wait to get it on my wrist.

I've had it in my mind to add a Nomos or Monaco to my small collection in 2020 but have yet to put one of these on my wrist. Need to do it.

Utterly cool in my opinion... Not just the fact that Steve Mcqueen wore one... But just look at it... Instantly recognisable, a design icon, the thing is a work of art that can be worn.....

I really like the Gulf version

I don't buy watches (or anything else come to think of it) based on whether someone else might or might not like it. They don't have to wear the watch I buy, and they aren't paying for it. I bought mine because I wanted the watch Steve McQueen wore in Le Mans. I like the Monaco enough to also have a black one, the CW2111, but I favor the CAW211 by far. As a dyed in the wool Porschephile, a lifelong fan of motorsport, and of McQueen, it's a prized possession.

Monaco have it own style,,,,, so much so whenever I saw a square timepiece, Monaco will cross my mind first.

Ngl, my calibre 11 gets a lot of love both from me and non watch enthusiast strangers alike, much more than any other I own. I honestly love how eccentric it is, but the square case is functional in terms of wrist anatomy, just like a Casio - it just weirdly works against the grain, which makes it that much more awesome imo.

I have the calibre 12.. cool watch. Going to get a perforated leather strap for it..

Great looking iconic watch with a lot of cool factor about it

The irony is that Steve McQueen not like this watch at all per his own words.

I have the Calibre 17. Simple. Complex. Lovable.

monaco gulf version best design ever!!

Yet another great contribution to the RU-vid watch community my friend. Great video. ✊ I really like the design of the Monaco. Especially the blue dialed one with the white sub dials that you showed in the video. The watch and dial have great symmetrical styling being such a chunk of metal that it is. The racing straps also suit them down to the ground. However, I say this purely aesthetically as I have never worn one so, cannot give an honest opinion of how it wears.

Heisenberg’s Monaco ridiculously cool !

Stunning review

It is cool !

😂rather the El "not the first one" Primero

Been toying with the caliber 11. The most authentic Monaco. Like you said at the start, the word tag doesn’t appear, only Heuer. It does seem a lot of money, about £5k. An OP is slightly cheaper. It is an icon, and so recognisable, and no doubt a great talking point as watches go. It’s all about convincing the wife I need another watch…

Problem with this video is; Just like nearly every watch expert that reviews chronographs you spend your time talking about trivial subjective things like the finish, polishing, taste, celebrities that wear it, aesthetics, fashion, styling cues etc. but you don’t bother giving us any helpful demonstrations or hints as to whether it’s useful to accurately measure elapsed time. That is the fundamental purpose of a chronograph and just like 90% of the reviews out there, you don’t even show the watch in action timing something. For example, Nor do you give any insight water the dials hands can actually be helpful enough to tell if something is (for e

I love the Rolex Daytona and not because I went to school in Daytona Beach. But, I have to agree, about the two locations, at least, that it can't compare to Monaco. I've never even been to Monaco and know that to be true. Spend one night in Daytona Beach and even if you come away without bed bugs, you will know too.

With certain things (Hand made shotguns, fine automobiles, British motorcycles, etc etc) Manufacturing was superior back in the day to some of the cookie cutter junk of today. Especially to that of the goods from PRC. IMHO.

I own the Carrera CV201AK.FT6040 and I've always dreamed of owning the Monaco and the Rolex Submariner. Steve Mcqueen was to me the king of cool and yet he chose to wear this design and a design that's difficult to not think about without him wearing it. Also too, to consider that the Monaco is not faked or replicated like Rolex is. Not taking anything from Rolex because I love the Submariner design so much, but the Monaco is a design that stands by itself to say the least. This watch is so iconic in its own right.

Oh this is great design. Might seem a lot of things, but just take a look at Shinola’s attempt to design a square watch with a round face in 2022. Didn’t work out so well, and that’s with the Monaco as a template. Ow imagine doing the same thing without any template.

Have both the recent limited edition Gulf and Dark Lord. Iconic watches and instantly recognisable.

I like the Monaco, but realised its not a watch that will hold onto much of its value , in the longterm. If your spending several thousand on a watch, then buy something that will retain its value. You buy a Monaco, if you do not care about its long term value, but its still a nice watch.

Great talk , really ...who can argue with that ?

I thought Seiko had the first automatic chronograph ? As always great video 👍

just bought a limited edition titanium version - it waits for me in doha airport for a month !! fate !! (that's wha I keep telling myself !!

Great watch and great video. Cheers mate! 🍻

Tag Gulf will be my next watch. I'm just so taken with it aesthetically. I daily drive a Bell and Ross 03-92 Diver right now, so maybe I'm just drawn to square watches.

My next watch... ...Just need a Porsche 917K to go with it, that will be harder.

in 77 i wanted a speed master pro my parents couldn't stretch to that i had the choice of 2 heurs a Carrera cal 11 or the Monaco cal 11 i took the Carrera i wished id have the Monaco for me the only Monaco is the origenal with the round pushers the case seemed a bit diff to the modern ones .

Megawatch for Collectors 👍🏻

Not a Tag fan, but I own 1. I just rebuilt my Aquaracer quartz, for $450 , after it failed at 3ft,scraping the bottom of my sailboat. Looking at the seamaster 300m you recently purchased and,yes,it's gonna hurt. Lol...

The black calibre 12 was my first luxury watch. It unfortunately get no wrist time any more…

Very professional coverage and presentation of this watch and it's a very interesting history.

The latest blue and orange TH Monaco is an eye popper in a good way. Maybe nice to have such a radical watch in a larger rotation. Keeps things fresh. Bit chubby though. There’s always something.

I love the Monaco, I just wish it were available in rose gold

IDGuy, you are brilliant! Thank you fo the efforts you have gone to in making this great video.

Nothing controversial about this iconic piece of art! #TooCool 😎

A "TAG Heuer" is a great watch! I love the Aquaracer! I have the 2020 Batman Blue face GMT in 43mm calibre 7. Way better than paying extra thousands for a Rolex Sub.

Speedmaster and Monaco are beautiful in different ways. Dream pieces.

My first real watch was a TAG (I say real, something that cost more than $20 that didn't have a digital display and a rubber strap), my Dad got me a Tag Heuer Professional 2000 at 19, that got me hooked on the brand. The Monaco to this day is still a lusted after watch.

Love wearing this watch when driving my car

Pretty but very expensive.

It stands on it's own and whether like it or not the piece deserves respect