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Monaco_Lover
·Hi
Long-time reader and lurker. By way of introduction, I thought I would share the current status of my modest collection of Monacos, along with a summary of the journey to this point.
First off, a gratuitous photo to grab your attention
My Monaco Journey
Steve Mcqueen Monaco CW2113 x 2
There it was in the display of Goldsmiths, a Tag Heuer Steve McQueen Monaco CW2113! The moment I saw the design beauty of the blue face, all other watch designs and brands simply disappeared from my interest and I simply wanted the Steve McQueen Monaco. At that time, nearly 20 years ago, I didn't really care that much for watches, but at that moment I decided that one day in future, I would get one, whatever it took!
After 6 months in my 1st 'proper job' I had saved £1k and I hunted down a 2nd hand CW2113 on ebay for £800. Done! I had my "forever watch" and I was happy! I wore it every day with pleasure and it served my well for over a year. However, a change of circumstances meant I needed some cash and I reluctantly sold the watch on (for a decent profit).
Of course, as you can imagine, I was soon on the look out for another and a year later I actually managed to track one down for £600 in a Cash Convertors! I was once again an happy owner of a Steve McQueen Monaco.
1133b & CAW211A (40th Anniversary)
Inevitably, it didn't end there - My interest in the McQueen Monaco led me down the steep and slippery path of vintage Heuer Monacos and I soon found myself lusting after an original Heuer 1133b. Fortunately, my career had progressed in the meantime, and I found myself in position to be able to afford a fairly clean 1133b for £4k back in 2009. This was promptly followed by the 40th anniversary Tag Heuer release CAW211A that I picked up without hesitation (selling my CAW2113 to part fund it).
So there we had it, in under a decade I had gone from zero interest in Monacos to ending up with 2 'special' examples; 1113b and CAW211A (having owned 2 others along the way.
2nd 1133b & CAW211P --> 1133b Transitional
Not being content (of course!), the 1st 1133b was later sold to obtain a cleaner example, and I also picked up a CAW211P as my daily driver (to save the CAW211A a little). Unsurprisingly, there were other Heuer Monacos on my radar and I waited 2 years to track down a nice example of a Transitional 1133b. That required me to let go of my standard production 1133b and my CAW211P, but I was happy to do so, since the transitional had become my new grail.
Having obtained that grail, you can guess where it led - yup, the next grail, and it was a dark one, of course!
74033N - The one that shall not be named
Last year I secured a crispy 74033N, and it turned out to be the one auctioned by Bonhams for over £50k a few years back. The auction winner seemingly took quite a bath on it (for whatever reason), and I secured it for tens of thousands less than the auction price! All I can say is that hard work and fate had led me to be in a position in my career where I was able to indulge my illogical, selfish interest in Heuer Monacos and purchase the 74033N when I had the chance!
SE Black DLC Titanium Heuer02 - CBL2180
Finally, the story leads us to last month during which the CBL2180 arrived. Initially, I wasn't bothered/keen, mainly because my preference is for vintage Heuer Monacos and I don't like H02 bottom sub-dial. However, it grew on me, mainly because I thought of it being a frequent wear, saving my 74033N for best. Annoyingly, this delay meant I slept on the getting one and I found myself unable to purchase due to selling out. Hoping for some luck in-store, I took a trip to London (with my 74033N in hand for potential help) to see if a TH store could assist.
1st up was the Covent Garden store. The SA there simply laughed when I mentioned the CBL2180, advising that the end of year re-stock mentioned on the website is already reserved/sold. I was told no further production run and to simply forget about it.
Tail between my legs, I headed to Harrods. Once again the SAs immediately dismissed me. However, when I struck up a conversation, they broke rank and admitted that they had one in stock, but reserved. Pulling out the big 74033N, the SA's jaw hit the floor and he quickly whipped out the CBL2180 and asked if he could get some side by side photos, etc. I obliged, one thing led to another, and it soon transpired that the reserved item has actually just been rejected 5 minutes prior (because religious reasons meant the buyer cannot wear gold). More Heuer Monaco discussions flowed, and it ended with the SA deciding to let me take the CBL2180 (so it could reside with the 74033N). Moral of the story here? Luck, persistence, friendly discussion, enthusiasm about watches (and another pinch of luck) can go some way to gaining AD favour I guess.
So there we have it, a whistle-stop tour of my Heuer Monaco journey, with the current result being:
CAW211A + 1133b transitional + 74033N + CBL2180
Long-time reader and lurker. By way of introduction, I thought I would share the current status of my modest collection of Monacos, along with a summary of the journey to this point.
First off, a gratuitous photo to grab your attention
My Monaco Journey
Steve Mcqueen Monaco CW2113 x 2
There it was in the display of Goldsmiths, a Tag Heuer Steve McQueen Monaco CW2113! The moment I saw the design beauty of the blue face, all other watch designs and brands simply disappeared from my interest and I simply wanted the Steve McQueen Monaco. At that time, nearly 20 years ago, I didn't really care that much for watches, but at that moment I decided that one day in future, I would get one, whatever it took!
After 6 months in my 1st 'proper job' I had saved £1k and I hunted down a 2nd hand CW2113 on ebay for £800. Done! I had my "forever watch" and I was happy! I wore it every day with pleasure and it served my well for over a year. However, a change of circumstances meant I needed some cash and I reluctantly sold the watch on (for a decent profit).
Of course, as you can imagine, I was soon on the look out for another and a year later I actually managed to track one down for £600 in a Cash Convertors! I was once again an happy owner of a Steve McQueen Monaco.
1133b & CAW211A (40th Anniversary)
Inevitably, it didn't end there - My interest in the McQueen Monaco led me down the steep and slippery path of vintage Heuer Monacos and I soon found myself lusting after an original Heuer 1133b. Fortunately, my career had progressed in the meantime, and I found myself in position to be able to afford a fairly clean 1133b for £4k back in 2009. This was promptly followed by the 40th anniversary Tag Heuer release CAW211A that I picked up without hesitation (selling my CAW2113 to part fund it).
So there we had it, in under a decade I had gone from zero interest in Monacos to ending up with 2 'special' examples; 1113b and CAW211A (having owned 2 others along the way.
2nd 1133b & CAW211P --> 1133b Transitional
Not being content (of course!), the 1st 1133b was later sold to obtain a cleaner example, and I also picked up a CAW211P as my daily driver (to save the CAW211A a little). Unsurprisingly, there were other Heuer Monacos on my radar and I waited 2 years to track down a nice example of a Transitional 1133b. That required me to let go of my standard production 1133b and my CAW211P, but I was happy to do so, since the transitional had become my new grail.
Having obtained that grail, you can guess where it led - yup, the next grail, and it was a dark one, of course!
74033N - The one that shall not be named
Last year I secured a crispy 74033N, and it turned out to be the one auctioned by Bonhams for over £50k a few years back. The auction winner seemingly took quite a bath on it (for whatever reason), and I secured it for tens of thousands less than the auction price! All I can say is that hard work and fate had led me to be in a position in my career where I was able to indulge my illogical, selfish interest in Heuer Monacos and purchase the 74033N when I had the chance!
SE Black DLC Titanium Heuer02 - CBL2180
Finally, the story leads us to last month during which the CBL2180 arrived. Initially, I wasn't bothered/keen, mainly because my preference is for vintage Heuer Monacos and I don't like H02 bottom sub-dial. However, it grew on me, mainly because I thought of it being a frequent wear, saving my 74033N for best. Annoyingly, this delay meant I slept on the getting one and I found myself unable to purchase due to selling out. Hoping for some luck in-store, I took a trip to London (with my 74033N in hand for potential help) to see if a TH store could assist.
1st up was the Covent Garden store. The SA there simply laughed when I mentioned the CBL2180, advising that the end of year re-stock mentioned on the website is already reserved/sold. I was told no further production run and to simply forget about it.
Tail between my legs, I headed to Harrods. Once again the SAs immediately dismissed me. However, when I struck up a conversation, they broke rank and admitted that they had one in stock, but reserved. Pulling out the big 74033N, the SA's jaw hit the floor and he quickly whipped out the CBL2180 and asked if he could get some side by side photos, etc. I obliged, one thing led to another, and it soon transpired that the reserved item has actually just been rejected 5 minutes prior (because religious reasons meant the buyer cannot wear gold). More Heuer Monaco discussions flowed, and it ended with the SA deciding to let me take the CBL2180 (so it could reside with the 74033N). Moral of the story here? Luck, persistence, friendly discussion, enthusiasm about watches (and another pinch of luck) can go some way to gaining AD favour I guess.
So there we have it, a whistle-stop tour of my Heuer Monaco journey, with the current result being:
CAW211A + 1133b transitional + 74033N + CBL2180
