The Monaco Decision
Prospective Omega Moonwatch owners have to make the big "Sapphire Sandwich or Hesalite" decision. And for prospective TAG Heuer Monaco owners like I was, there is also a big decision: "Calibre 11 or Heuer 02".
In essence, that is a decision of Old versus New. The Calibre 11 Monacos with left-side crown and horizontal indices are a celebration of the past including the original Monacos and of course Steve McQueen in his movie 'Le Mans'.
I was certain I was in the Calibre 11 camp.
However, things haven't worked out that way. On deeper reflection, and as much as I respect the Calibre 11 and what it represents, I decided it wasn't for me.
For me, I wanted a TAG Heuer watch and that meant I wanted to see a TAG Heuer logo on it. That logo was a connection to my 80s & 90s childhood and endless hours of watching motor racing; it for me was very much part of the cultural backdrop in my life at that time.
I know there are those who simply reject the TAG in TAG Heuer and are only fans of the original Heuer. And that's why the Calibre 11 models exist with the Heuer only logo.
But for me, I wanted a TAG Heuer as much as I wanted a Monaco. And above a certain price-point, I do put value on in-house movements versus outsourced ones.
The modern Calibre 11 is actually an outsourced 2-piece modular design from Sellita and Dubois-Depraz with a 40-hour power reserve.
By comparison, the Heuer 02 is a far more sophisticated and integrated in-house movement with an 80 hour power reserve. This I feel is more in-line and appropriate for the price point of a Monaco.
So in the end and having considered all those things, I ended up with the Heuer 02 (ref. CBL2111) Monaco.
Finally, as the story goes, McQueen originally picked an Omega to wear in 'Le Mans', wore his Rolex Submariner during production days he was not on camera for it, and gave away the Monaco after the movie was shot.
I get why some like the romance of the Hesalite crystal. But the calibre 3861 is a beautiful beautiful thing to look at and that alone made me go for the Sapphire Sandwich.
FWIW - I'd go for the caliber 11 in the Monaco. You're right about the details of the movement but the crown and indices would be impossible to pass up.
What's wrong with a Cal 12 I'd say? I deliberately bought that when I heard they were moving to an in-house movement. This can be serviced by my local watch guy for a 3rd of the price that LMVH charge.....
FWIW - I'd go for the caliber 11 in the Monaco. You're right about the details of the movement but the crown and indices would be impossible to pass up.
Thanks for your comment. I agree and prefer the left positioned crown of the Calibre 11 as it better balances the Monaco’s unique shape. I also prefer the use of red in the Calibre 11 dial versus my Heuer 02 model. On the flip side, I’ve come around on the indices - originally preferring the horizontal ones, but now feeling the radial ones on the H02 are equally nice, if not as unique. I do prefer the H02’s more recessed silk silver subdials versus the Cal.11’s flatter white ones. Those along with the sunburst blue dial give the H02 Monaco a level of visual depth missing on the Cal.11 version. Flipping back again though, I think I prefer the Cal.11’s black perforated racing strap versus the H02’s blue alligator strap. The alligator is comfortable enough and more premium, but the racing strap is more in-line with the Monaco’s vibe.
I get why some like the romance of the Hesalite crystal. But the calibre 3861 is a beautiful beautiful thing to look at and that alone made me go for the Sapphire Sandwich.
I was recently in the position of trying to decide between the Sapphiire Sandwich or Hesalite version of the Moonwatch. In the end, I decided I just didn’t want a Moonwatch, despite what the Internet tells me; apparently there are such people.
Calibre Heuer 02 all the way
Sounds like your choice is what Tag Heuer want to be now.
A modern Watch with Avant gard modernism with a rich heritage of design.
Watches evolve. Like the blackbird with a yellow beak…there may have been a time the bird flew over ancient meadows without it. Thus should be the Monaco. I say bravo for choosing the evolved model…and leaving the ancient colorless beaks behind.
I've read that the movement in the original Monaco had a big mechanical weakness making them prone to wear breakages. Heuer 02 might be a proprietary mouse trap that only real experts can service, but at least it's solid.
I specifically looked for a caliber 11. The Monaco needs left hand crown
Nice #tagheuer wear it well 👌🏻