Skip to main content

TAG Heuer’s latest Monaco chronograph is designed to be your new nighttime watch

This chronograph watch borrows a feature from divers, field watches

TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Night Driver
TAG Heuer / TAG Heuer

TAG Heuer, the renowned Swiss luxury watchmaker, has unveiled its latest men’s watch, the Monaco Chronograph Night Driver, which is set to redefine nighttime driving experiences. In this limited edition release, TAG Heuer captures the essence of the “Night Driver” and pays tribute to the iconic Monaco collection. It draws inspiration from the vintage Monaco’s midnight blue, charcoal gray, and matte black dials while incorporating cutting-edge materials and technology.

The magic of nighttime driving

Driving at night carries a unique allure, especially when it comes to glowing watches. With distractions minimized, drivers connect intimately with their vehicles and the road. Every nuance is heightened, making the experience pure and exhilarating. As darkness descends, the importance of reliable instruments becomes paramount. The Monaco Chronograph Night Driver steps in as the ideal companion. Dashboard instruments illuminate the car’s vital statistics, and the driver’s chronograph assumes a central role. At night, legibility is key, ensuring that drivers can access precise information instantly. TAG Heuer’s latest creation excels in this regard.

TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Night Driver
TAG Heuer / TAG Heuer

Luminescent innovation

The standout feature of the Monaco Chronograph Night Driver is its fully luminescent dial. This technical marvel utilizes Super-LumiNova to achieve exceptional luminosity, allowing the dial to remain prominently visible in the dark for up to three hours after charging. The deep gray “circle” at the center of the dial provides a strong contrast with the bright blue Super-LumiNova finish of the hands, enhancing legibility.

But it’s the transformation from day to night that truly sets this timepiece apart. The exterior of the dial shifts from a cool, light grey to a vivid glowing blue as darkness falls. This effect, coupled with black-lacquered indexes and markings, creates a captivating contrast that embodies the mood of nighttime driving.

The Monaco Chronograph Night Driver draws inspiration from its storied heritage. The very first Monaco chronograph, famously worn by Steve McQueen in the movie Le Mans, featured a “Midnight Blue” dial. TAG Heuer’s modern interpretation captures the deep blue glow of the night sky. Additionally, vintage Monaco chronographs featured “charcoal gray” dials with darker registers, a palette that the Night Driver pays homage to when seen in daylight.

TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph
TAG Heuer / TAG Heuer

A blend of style and durability

Beyond aesthetics, a driver’s chronograph must be durable, and the Monaco Chronograph Night Driver doesn’t disappoint. Its case is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, coated in black DLC (diamond-like carbon) material, ensuring both strength and lightweight comfort during long drives. Even the high-use elements, such as pushers and crown, feature this robust black coating.

Inside, TAG Heuer’s in-house Heuer 02 movement powers the watch, utilizing a traditional column wheel for reliable chronograph function. The movement boasts an impressive 80-hour power reserve, ensuring that the Night Driver will run smoothly throughout a weekend of racing. The sapphire case back showcases intricate details, including blue printing on the black oscillating mass, maintaining the palette theme.

The ultimate racer’s companion

To complete the experience, the Monaco Chronograph Night Driver comes with a black perforated calfskin strap with bright white stitching, reminiscent of Heuer racing chronographs from the 1960s and 1970s. It’s a fitting choice for a watch designed to accompany drivers on their nocturnal adventures.

TAG Heuer watches will present the Monaco Chronograph Night Driver Limited Edition in dedicated packaging that reflects the Monaco collection’s racing heritage. With only 600 limited edition pieces available, each one individually engraved, this timepiece will be a coveted addition to any luxury watch collection. It’s set to hit TAG Heuer Boutiques, top retailers, and the brand’s official website in October 2023.

Learn More

Editors' Recommendations

Sarah Veldman
Freelance Writer
Sarah has been a freelance writer for over 7 years now, having started while she was living out of a suitcase and traveling…
Fortis Watches reboots its iconic Novonaut Chronograph, the cosmonaut’s answer to the Omega Speedmaster
The original Fortis Novonaut was designed for cosmonauts
Fortis Novonaut black wrist

In the grand universe of men's watches, there's a niche that belongs to the brave, the bold, and the cosmic adventurers among us. These timepieces are more than mere fashion statements; they're works of mechanical artistry, precision instruments, and often, historical relics. After all, who doesn't want to own a watch that's good enough for space?

You likely know the story of the Omega Speedmaster. Known as the "moon watch," this classic timepiece has a storied history with NASA astronauts (and the organization itself). The Omega Speedmaster Professional is one of several watches that NASA has deemed qualified for spaceflight and is the only one qualified to go outside of the spacecraft.

Read more
Rolex and Smiths: The 2 watches that made it to the top of Mount Everest first
The Rolex Explorer's Rugged Origins
Rolex Explorer 40

The Rolex Explorer is one of the most iconic watches that the Swiss company has ever produced. It’s so successful that numerous imitators have surfaced over the years. In addition to the out-and-out fakes, you’ll spot elements snatched straight from the Explorer in numerous timepieces produced by Rolex’s high, and lower-end, competitors. Fittingly, the iconic wristwatch has an equally ironic, exploration-related, origin story.

A Rolex Explorer prototype was strapped to the wrist of Sir Edmund Hillary, who was the first man to summit Mount Everest in 1953. The prototype survived the journey, and went into production shortly afterwards.

Read more
Seiko watches news: Seiko adds a GMT function to its Prospex Alpinist
These are the first non-limited edition Seiko Alpinist GMT watches
Seiko Prospex Alipinist GMT blue

When it comes to watches for men, Seiko has long been a name that resonates with both enthusiasts and the uninitiated. The brand's rich history and commitment to quality timepieces have solidified its place in the world of horology.

In the realm of Seiko watches, the Prospex collection stands out as a symbol of adventure, durability, and precision. And now, Seiko has added a new twist to its iconic Prospex Alpinist series, introducing the Seiko Prospex Alpinist GMT. But it's not just any GMT watch; it's a timepiece that takes you on a journey, even if you're just sitting at your desk.
The Prospex Alpinist GMT unveiled
The Seiko Prospex Alpinist collection has always been about rugged elegance and the spirit of exploration. The addition of a GMT function to the Prospex Alpinist takes that spirit to new heights. GMT watches have long been favored by travelers and globetrotters for their ability to track multiple time zones. Seiko has embraced this feature, and the result is a timepiece that appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and people who value aesthetics, as well as functionality.

Read more