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Aquagraph
·It's amazing how 2mm makes such a difference, the 37mm definitely feels too small, but 39mm is chunky.
What’s Your Favourite Monaco?
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Mr_Orange
·I'm pretty partial to the model that I own, CAW211K:
Very classy colour scheme and nice understated logo for the ACM. It looks great on the OG strap or can be blinged up with an orange strap, which sadly I can't locate a photo of.
Very classy colour scheme and nice understated logo for the ACM. It looks great on the OG strap or can be blinged up with an orange strap, which sadly I can't locate a photo of.
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Aquagraph
·I'm pretty partial to the model that I own, CAW211K:
Very classy colour scheme and nice understated logo for the ACM. It looks great on the OG strap or can be blinged up with an orange strap, which sadly I can't locate a photo of.
I tried this on at an outlet once, I wish I had bought it... or the other ACM
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Ravi
·Slightly off topic question but when people get limited numbered Tag, why do they cover the number in images?
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Mspeedster
·My favorite Monaco is the original 1133B. If money was no object, this is the one for me. (TAG Heuer image)
However, asking which is my favorite among my personal collection is like asking to pick a favorite child. Each has a different story and is loved for different reasons.
An obvious choice might be my CAW211P, after all, it is the modern day re-issue of the original. It's the icon and my collection wouldn't be complete without it. But ironically it was the last of my current 3 Monacos to be purchased. Even more so, because I started lusting for a Monaco McQueen back in 2010 shortly after the release of the 40th Anniversary Monaco, but didn't buy it until late in 2019.
The other watch that I lusted after in 2010 was the Monaco Gulf Vintage Grey LE. That watch, as well as the 40th Anniversary, were not easy to get back then. The Gulf Grey was never released in the US due to licensing issues, but I was fortunate enough to find one during an international business trip. I've owned this watch for more than 11 years, worn it more than any other watch in the last decade and we've been through a lot together. So this watch is probably the most special from a sentimental perspective.
The third watch in my Monaco collection is special for a different reason. It's my favorite of the 50th anniversary models and I'm lucky to be "One of 169" owners who purchased this watch new. It's the first TAG Heuer to use the "asphalt" dial surface treatment and I just love the overall look. I think of it as an inverse McQueen. I'd never been more excited to buy a watch than when I bought this one.
Honorable mention to my C11 Vintage Grey CAW211B; gone but not forgotten. This was my very first Monaco. In 2010 when I got the Monaco bug, the 40th Anniversary was already sold out, plus it was out of my price range anyway. So it was either the Blue Calibre 12 or the C11 Vintage Grey LE. I opted for the latter. However, after I acquired the Gulf, it got very little wrist time. So I sold it many years later, thinking I'd get the then newly announced CAW211P. In hindsight, kinda wish I kept it.
However, asking which is my favorite among my personal collection is like asking to pick a favorite child. Each has a different story and is loved for different reasons.
An obvious choice might be my CAW211P, after all, it is the modern day re-issue of the original. It's the icon and my collection wouldn't be complete without it. But ironically it was the last of my current 3 Monacos to be purchased. Even more so, because I started lusting for a Monaco McQueen back in 2010 shortly after the release of the 40th Anniversary Monaco, but didn't buy it until late in 2019.
The other watch that I lusted after in 2010 was the Monaco Gulf Vintage Grey LE. That watch, as well as the 40th Anniversary, were not easy to get back then. The Gulf Grey was never released in the US due to licensing issues, but I was fortunate enough to find one during an international business trip. I've owned this watch for more than 11 years, worn it more than any other watch in the last decade and we've been through a lot together. So this watch is probably the most special from a sentimental perspective.
The third watch in my Monaco collection is special for a different reason. It's my favorite of the 50th anniversary models and I'm lucky to be "One of 169" owners who purchased this watch new. It's the first TAG Heuer to use the "asphalt" dial surface treatment and I just love the overall look. I think of it as an inverse McQueen. I'd never been more excited to buy a watch than when I bought this one.
Honorable mention to my C11 Vintage Grey CAW211B; gone but not forgotten. This was my very first Monaco. In 2010 when I got the Monaco bug, the 40th Anniversary was already sold out, plus it was out of my price range anyway. So it was either the Blue Calibre 12 or the C11 Vintage Grey LE. I opted for the latter. However, after I acquired the Gulf, it got very little wrist time. So I sold it many years later, thinking I'd get the then newly announced CAW211P. In hindsight, kinda wish I kept it.
Edited:
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Mspeedster
·Notwithstanding… I’d be curious to know who at TH has decided, a couple years back, that all newly produced Monacos should be bumped up in size to 39mm^2 (from 39mm^2) ?
Personally, I don’t have a problem with the current size, but there’s pretty incessant complaining all over the watch internet re. how (supposedly) “unwearable” the Monaco is… Keeping the 38mm^2 might have gone a long way in addressing this, non?
It's amazing how 2mm makes such a difference, the 37mm definitely feels too small, but 39mm is chunky.
I don't think the issue is so much the diameter size of 37mm or 38mm vs. 39mm, the chunkiness has more to do with the thickness of the square shape.
- The 37mm WW2119 and 38mm Cal 17 Monaco are both only 13mm thick.
- The 39mm C11/C12s increased the thickness to 14.4mm, but a big part of that was the new gorgeous sapphire crystal (vs. the Cal 17's plexi).
- The H02 Monaco increased again to 15.3mm in thickness.
(Source: https://www.calibre11.com/tag-heuer-monaco-heuer-02-blue-dial-in-depth-review-ref-cbl2111/)
Look at these pics of the Cal 17 Monaco next to the H02 Monaco, the H02 looks like a behemoth in comparison.
OTOH, the size difference of the 39mm 14.4mm thick CAW211P (left) vs. the 38mm 14.1mm thick Monaco 40th anniversary (right) is barely noticeable. (Pic courtesy of @Hubert)
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Mr_Orange
·
That is savage!
They really should have made the effort with the H02 to slim it down, especially considering what they are now charging for watches that contain it.
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paysdoufs
·(…)
Look at these pics of the Cal 17 Monaco next to the H02 Monaco, the H02 looks like a behemoth in comparison.
OTOH, the size difference of the 39mm 14.4mm thick CAW211P (left) vs. the 38mm 14.1mm thick Monaco 40th anniversary (right) is barely noticeable. (Pic courtesy of @Hubert)
The last picture in your very rich post is excellent. Can’t remember having seen it before and will make sure to keep it handy for future use in discussions elsewhere…
Also (maybe I forgot, maybe I wasn’t aware…): There were two generations of “McQueen” re-editions in 38mm? 👎
I thought there was only one (“Cal.17”?) from the 90s, MW and with plexi. I’ll have to check @Aquagraph ’s blogpost to see whether he mentions the other one (40th anniversary placing it in 2009). Just to make sure I’m not confusing myself any further…
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paysdoufs
·PS: OK - so I had really missed the CW to CAW switch in 2009. My bad!
But for whatever reason, the former 38mm ones are really heavily underrepresented on the used market (EDIT: as McQueens, Gulfs, etc.)…
But for whatever reason, the former 38mm ones are really heavily underrepresented on the used market (EDIT: as McQueens, Gulfs, etc.)…
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Aquagraph
·
If you want thick, then this is your boy....
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Mspeedster
·PS: OK - so I had really missed the CW to CAW switch in 2009. My bad!
But for whatever reason, the former 38mm ones are really heavily underrepresented on the used market (EDIT: as McQueens, Gulfs, etc.)…
This side by side shows the difference in thickness. I think it's mostly due to the sapphire crystal and see through case back on the C11/C12.
More on the C12 vs C17 here: https://www.calibre11.com/tag-heuer-monaco-range/
That is savage!
They really should have made the effort with the H02 to slim it down, especially considering what they are now charging for watches that contain it.
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YG_Rulz
·I've got 3x Monacos at the moment - the CAW211P (blue dial), CAW211E (green dial) and the CW2114 (brown dial). Love them all equally - although the CAW211P is my daily beater. Some pics of the beauties.
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McBeardy
·Fun watch on YouTube
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Aquagraph
·Which is hotter?
Wei - YES!
Wei - YES!
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