The new Tag Heuer Monza Calibre 36 Re-Edition watch replica will be issued in a limited series of only 1911 numbered pieces and will officially go on sale in June 2011.
It was in year 1911 that the Swiss watch manufacturer Heuer has released its famous Time of Trip 12-hour dashboard chronograph that was designed specifically for cars and airplanes.
Although the official number of timepieces to be manufactured looks a bit like a gimmick (usually, in the price range of some $7500 – $8500 USD, true limited edition watches are counted by dozens, maybe hundreds,) the reason the watch is limited to 1911 pieces is rather simple.
Making it easier to measure time in the air (or behind the steering wheel,) the device was hugely popular among aviators and motorists (Porsche still offers similar devices as optional equipment for its sports cars and even the Cayenne family of performance SUVs). The chronograph’s popularity, of course, had something to do with its extremely legible dial and ease of use: it featured a classic ‘monopusher’ design and was quite easy to operate with just one hand without turning driver’s attention from the road ahead (roads were not particularly good a hundred of years ago, you know).
The steel fake TAG Heuer Monza Calibre 36 Re-Edition, however, has a completely different model as its sorts of inspiration.
If you compare the photos above and below, you will notice that there are not so many differences between the new Monza Calibre 36 and the original Heuer Monza chronograph that was introduced in 1933. I am not really sure about differences size (the new watch comes in a very compact by today’s standards stainless steel body just 38 millimeters wide), but the rest seems to be almost identical save for some minor details that were not practical to reproduce.
Of course, the new model is not a monopusher (powered by their Caliber 36 automatic movement, it is equipped with a standard pair of chronograph push-pieces located at 2 and 4 o’clock) and the new setting crown is also a lot smaller than the original onion-shaped job.
The type face for the Arabic numerals is also slightly different as is the color of the luminescent substance the covers the numerals and fills the hour and minute hands. And there is also a new “MONZA” lettering at 12 o’clock that, to my taste, looks somewhat superfluous.
I wonder if this trend will continue next year. I really like this stream of “re-editions” hitting the market.
See also: TAG Heuer Carrera Mikrograph Limited Edition
Photos: TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer Monza Calibre 36 Re-Edition (Ref. CR5112.FC6290) automatic chronograph watch specification
Price: Approx. $8000
Movement: Automatic, Calibre 36, rapid date correction, Swiss Made
Movement decoration: Cotes de Geneve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, date
Power reserve: 50 hours
Case material: Stainless steel, polished and fine-brushed
Bezel material: Stainless steel, polished and fine-brushed
Case shape: Cushion
Bezel shape: Cushion
Case size: 38.00 mm
Lug width: No data
Case height: No data
Dial: White
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Brown leather strap with Heuer logo on the inner side; Folding buckle with safety push buttons and Heuer logo
Crystal: Sapphire, curved, antireflective
Case back: Sapphire, screwed, numbered
This is a pity since the 1933 model was almost ideal in terms of usability. On the other hand, as I am never tired of repeating, chronographs these days don’t serve any practical purpose, so the choice of control elements is not that critical after all. Also, it is not a re-issue, it is a re-edition. Feel the difference.
But all in all, I must admit that this is one of the most appealing vintage watches that were offered last month at Baselworld 2011. It stays on par with the gorgeous Tag Heuer Monaco Vintage Chronograph (Ref. CAW211B.FC6241) best quality Tag Heuer copy watch.