TAG Heuer teasing it now in IG. To be launched on Thursday.

 

Not quite as exciting as a new Monaco, but a new strap at least. My one from the 70’s LE showed up. It’s much thicker than the alligator and will need breaking in (thus me wearing it tight at the moment). The colour is a great combo and makes the watch more green as the dark alligator strap blends in with the dial.

As much as I was enjoying the original, it’ll be staying on this.

 

Oh yes, looks muuuch better!

 

Yes, it looks green now! Unfortunately I had the AD fit it and they’ve nicked it while installing on the top side of the 2 o’clock lug. I assume a spring bar must have slipped.

disappointing but should have done it myself. Still, of it gets any more I won’t be worried!

 

Wow that is terrible, sorry to hear. Hurts the most in the beginning when the watch is brand new. I hope you pointed out to them how terrible human beings they are

 

Strap looks great @stevec14! Do you find its comfort any different from the alligator?

That sucks about the nick, hope your AD gave you some kind of compensation for that. I use tape on both sides of the lugs, just in case it slips the wrong way. Which I learned the hard way.

 

Comfort wise it’s a little less at the moment. It’s thicker and needs to break in, but being thicker I think it suits the watch as well as being a racing strap. The alligator was supremely comfy, but I suspect this will be the same.

I prefer the colour however. It allows the green in the watch face to come through more making the sub dials contrast more. Much better in my book.

re the strap. I only asked them to do it as they switched the clasp. It’s not a huge nick - it looks exactly as you say that a spring bar has come through below when installing. I usually do these things myself but in this case relied on them - so I can’t really blame them when doing as a favour. I know them very well and they are good to me, so I’m not going to make a song and dance about it. Just learn my lesson and do it myself

 

Very annoying but can easily happen to anyone. I've changed hundreds of straps but the other day, I had the springbar tool slip and put a scratch in between the lugs on my blue Squale 1521. Still, if an AD does it, I would expect them to put it right.

 

I’m not exactly sure what they could do with it if I’m honest. It’s very small but on top of the lug right at the corner.

In my efforts to take a closer look I took the strap off. It’s not too bad really but when putting the strap on gave it another tiny one (do not change watch straps when pissed off). On the underside of lugs I have never minded but this is on the top.

oh well - never mind. They’re on the 12 o’clock side anyway so I won’t see them in normal viewing. Just as well the watch ain’t going anywhere. I’ll have them sort that out when serviced (along with a million other nicks/scratches no doubt)

I’ll have a glass of wine now. That will make me feel much better!

 

There. Much better

 

Perfect!

 

NICE combo!

 

Looks great @stevec14 !

 

Thank you - the strap has really transformed the watch and nice to have sporty/dressier options. Might have to look into a bracelet but I’m not sure I like the look.

For 90 quid the strap is great quality. Pretty cheap compared to many brands

 

Here's something a bit different, might rival @Aquagraph and his Sharkskin straps.

 

I don't think this text in the booklet for the Trilogy is a 100% guarantee the OB/AD won't scratch the watch.

 

Indeed that is right. Just chalk it down to experience and enjoy the watch is the best advice. In all honesty I’d forgotten about it until now

 

At the risk of beating a dead horse I thought I’d close my own book of opinion on this Monaco LE. I am often guilty of being initially enthralled by beauty and then discovering the complexities after the honeymoon period.

Not this time. I still love this watch and everything about it. It is unique and classic at the same time. The model and design are timeless themselves with a rich and recognized history in representing TH, no issues there. The new 02 movement may be argued as unproven but I like that it is an in house TH mechanism. All that said, the dial is truly the difference here.

I still can’t bring myself to call this a green dial. As someone who has six green face watches, this just doesn’t fit in that category. I mentioned the life in the color complexity before, that has not changed with time or how many times I look at it. As a long time admirer of the sunburst blue Monaco, I think this brilliance out performs that ten-fold. I mentioned how the dial interacts with both the observer and the sun while wearing it - I’ve only been in this hobby for about five years but I’ve never seen anything like it. The black sub dials are useful and compliment the overall impact enormously, another feature in tradition of the Monaco but novel to this LE.

I, personally, had no issues with the deployant after wearing it almost daily for two weeks. However, not knowing previous alligator strap patterns from TH, I just did not think this pattern and band went well with this Monaco. The Monaco, and this dial, comes from a history rich in automobile passion, racing, and representation - a Rally strap is my choice then. So I did some research and invested in a custom strap from a maker in the UK - works perfectly. It is also original and compliments the watch.

The “Monaco LE.” That also just doesn’t do anything for me. We have heurological history in “The Siffert, The Senna,” and the “McQueen Monaco,” so without a title this unique watch is just an item. I know there has been assumption and advertising with the recent partnership with Porsche but I, personally, am forever dubbing this as the “Bullitt Monaco.” It seems appropriate with the discussions that have spun off this subject here and, unarguably, the green face is directly representative of the Bullitt Dark Highland Green Mustang…British Racing Green with a little Colonial spirit added. McQueen wore and represents/ed TH tremendously well so that’s appropriate too. Maybe even proper for the start of another legendary model watch.

Other forums members, please give us additional reviews.

All right, I’ll shut up now. Best, M.

 

^Beautiful! That strap works well!