The original version of the TAG Heuer Monza was launched in 1976 on the occasion of Ferrari’s victory in the Formula One World Championship with Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni in 1975.
This is the first Drivers ‘Championship title for the Austrian driver and the third constructors’ title for the Italian team but, to tell the story of this legendary timepiece, we must first explore the extraordinary relationship between Jack Heuer and Enzo Ferrari.
The relationship between Heuer and Ferrari
Both have been undisputed icons in their field and their relationship has given rise to one of the best known collaborations, not only in the world of watchmaking and motoring, but also in the collective imagination.
Heuer had been associated with the racing world since 1911 and enjoyed excellent credibility among the drivers, while Jack was by training an electrical engineer and was responsible for the development of the first electronic timing system for the family business.
Nel 1971 Enzo Ferrari, che sicuramente necessita di ancora meno presentazioni, convinto che i francesi lo stessero imbrogliando a Le Mans, ci fece installare un sistema di cronometraggio proprio da Heuer.
Nel 1971 Enzo Ferrari, che sicuramente necessita di ancora meno presentazioni, convinto che i francesi lo stessero imbrogliando a Le Mans, ci fece installare un sistema di cronometraggio proprio da Heuer.
Each pilot would then wear the shield crest in exchange for a gold watch and a deposit of 25,000 Swiss francs each. Thus began the partnership between Ferrari and Heuer, according to Jack “the best marketing action of his life” in fact, regardless of the result obtained, Ferrari was always in the newspapers and this meant free advertising for the watch brand.
In 1972 a timing system was installed on the newly built Fiorano track, and this allowed Ferrari to analyze the performance of its cars in more detail than any other team. A team of Heuer technicians also accompanied the horse team in all the races and the presence of better data contributed to the creation of a more performing car (the 312T), which was the key to the victory of ’75, after more than a decade of fast.
The Original Heuer Monza
The following year, a limited edition chronograph was presented, with a black PVD case, black dial and red details, to celebrate the recent automotive success.
The name chosen for this timepiece was “Monza” in honor of the Italian Grand Prix, a beautiful and cursed circuit on which Ferrari won the championship with one race to spare the previous year.
The case had an unusual oval shape. The caliber 15 was enclosed inside the case, a movement derived from the iconic Caliber 11, which featured the small seconds counter at 10 o’clock and the 30-minute chronograph register at 3 o’clock.
The crown was in the characteristic position at 9 o’clock and, together with the keys, had been left with exposed steel without PVD cover, thus ensuring greater contrast with the black case.
The dial, also black but with vivid Ferrari red accents, also featured two scales, from 12 to 3 a pulsometric scale and, from 3 to 12 a tachymeter scale.
Re-edition of the 2000s
With the beginning of the new millennium, TAG Heuer reworked this model in a modern way, abandoning the PVD case and radically changing both the case and the overall style. In fact, a 39 mm cushion case was introduced, much more massive than the original, and the elegant chronographs of the 1930s inspired the overall aesthetic.
This new, more cumbersome interpretation departed considerably from the racing spirit that characterized the original version and was available in a multitude of configurations, both in terms of complications and the material of the case.
Celebratory version for the 40th Anniversary
The version presented in 2016 for the 40th anniversary of the model is an interesting mix of the two previous editions. Indeed, while the overall aesthetics and the racing spirit are almost totally borrowed from the original ’76 model, the shape of the case and the presence of the crown in the more classic position at 3 o’clock are derived from the 2000 version.
This time the case is made of grade 5 titanium, more difficult to work than grade 2, but it can be polished with excellent aesthetic results. To replace the PVD coating, in this latest edition, a titanium carbide coating has been chosen which, while maintaining the original black color, guarantees greater resistance to scratches.
The size of the case is also increased, which is increased to 42 mm, while the buttons and the contrasting steel crown are retained. The original tropical rubber strap is replaced by a black leather one, while maintaining the same hole design typical of the racing world and is completed by a titanium buckle that incorporates the same finish of the case.
The dial is also faithful to the ’76 version and, while presenting mirrored registers with respect to the original, it maintains the same design and the same red accents that have identified it since its birth. Fortunately, the original logo has also been kept, as is the case with almost all the re-editions of the historical models (Take a look at the new Dark Lord).
Our opinion
Leaving aside the 2000 reissue, I believe that the celebratory edition, while presenting numerous differences from the original, wisely exploits new technologies while maintaining the spirit that had characterized the original watch.
Designing a timepiece with the exact same proportions and characteristics as one from forty years earlier would probably have made it out of fashion and already old even before being presented and Tag Heuer has managed to provide a new watch in many respects but with a reference to its important tradition without being banal.
To find out more about the original watch, please visit the TAG Heuer website.
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