The Sixty-Nine was a major technical exercise for TAG, they successfully integrated two different formats of timekeeping technology— mechanical and digital — into the iconic Monaco case design. Its reversible, dual-purpose design remains unique within the brand's catalogue and has long since been discontinued.
From its founding in 1860, Heuer established a reputation for precision built on foundational innovations. Edouard Heuer's 1887 patent for the oscillating pinion remains a critical component in modern chronographs, while the 1916 "Mikrograph," the first stopwatch capable of measuring 1/100th of a second, secured the brand's role as an official Olympic timekeeper. This early focus on accuracy naturally led to a deep-seated connection with motorsports, where the brand's dashboard timers became essential equipment for rally drivers, laying the groundwork for an identity forged on the racetrack.
The brand's ties with racing was immortalized in the 1960s with a trio of legendary chronographs: the Carrera, Autavia, and the avant-garde Monaco. The Monaco, with its distinctive square case, became an icon on the wrist of Steve McQueen in the film Le Mans and was one of the first watches to house the groundbreaking Calibre 11 automatic chronograph movement. After its acquisition by Techniques d'Avant Garde (TAG) in 1985, the brand solidified its legendary status through a decades-long partnership with Formula 1.
Overall Grade: 8.5 / 10 | Great Condition, Light Signs of Wear Production: est. 2008 Contents: Watch Only Genre: Sports Watch
Size: 50x41mm Thickness: approx. 18mm Lug width: approx. 22mm
Case: Stainless steel reversible case, brush and mirrored finish, light visible wear Bezel: Stainless steel brushed bezel, mirrored bevel, light visible wear Dial: Black mechanical dial, applied markers and sub-second with additonal LCD Hands: Skeletonized broad pencil hands
Crown: Stainless steel push-pull crown and pushers, light visible wear Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal, A/R coating, light visible wear Bracelet: Black leather strap, light visible wear Caseback: Stainless steel caseback, brushed finish, light visible wear Movement: Mechanical and Digital Caliber: HR03 Quartz and ETA Hand-Wound Base