Tag Heuer Monza Watches
TAG Heuer Monza watches have an incredibly colourful history. Created to commemorate the Ferrari Formula 1 racing team breaking an 11-year quest for a championship, these exquisite timepieces soon became a firm favourite amongst sports watch enthusiasts. Once meant as just a limited-edition piece, they became so popular that they were soon spun off into their own collection. If you are a fan of sporty and functional wristwatches, you should definitely add one to your collection.
The History of TAG Heuer Monza Watches
From 1971 to 1979, the Swiss watchmaker Heuer was unofficial timekeeper for the Ferrari Formula 1 racing team —as Enzo Ferrari did not trust the official timekeeping. In return, the Heuer logo was emblazoned on the sides of the cars. Following Niki Lauda’s maiden victory (which we will discuss later on) at the Autonomous Nazionale di Monza in 1975, the watchmaker decided to launch a timepiece that would forever commemorate the achievement. One of the very first models produced was given to Lauda a year later.
The watch, which was specifically designed for motorsports, adopted the design of the Heuer Monopusher chronograph and added a tachymeter scale and pulsometer. Its casing was completely coated in black, giving the timepiece an even sportier feel. The Monza of the 1970s and 80s represented an affordable alternative to the Carrera, but on brass instead of stainless steel. Early models were powered by the in-house Calibre 15, with later editions using the Calibre 12. Vintage Monza timepieces are extremely popular amongst collectors.
After an almost 20-year absence, TAG Heuer brought the Monza out of retirement with a number of Re-Edition models in 2005. These new variations did not bear much resemblance to their predecessors, instead going with a cushion-shape casing. Two chronograph versions were released, one powered by the Calibre 17 and the other by the Calibre 36. The Re-Edition series also saw the debut of the Monza as a three-hand watch, which were fitted with the Calibre 6.
The year 2016 then saw the release of the Heritage Monza Calibre 17, much to the joy of many fans. Perhaps the most important aspect of this version, especially to fans of more vintage watches, was a return of the dial used in the 1970s and 80s. Unveiled at the Baselworld festival, these fantastic timepieces take on the look of a sporty, motorsports-orientated luxury watch that displays its origins with pride.
A Celebration of Victory
The TAG Heuer brand has always had an illustrious relationship with the world of motorsports. Models such as the Monaco and Carrera have effortlessly blended the sporty aesthetic and precision-orientated craftsmanship that you’d expect from a driving inspired wristwatch with all the style of a luxury timepiece. The Monza is no exception, but how did it start off?
Heuer (which was the brand’s name at the time) was sponsoring the Ferrari Formula 1 racing team, which was going through an 11 year drought without a championship win. That all changed in 1975 at Monza, when driver Niki Lauda won his first championship. To celebrate, the manufacturer introduced the Monza, which was originally meant to be a special version of the Carrera. The watch proved to be so popular that it quickly became its own collection.
Designed for Life in the Fast Lane
TAG Heuer Monza watches have played an extremely special role in the brand’s catalogue for many years. Created out of Jack Heuer’s unrivalled love for motorsports, the collection is especially popular amongst fans of chronographs. Black models with a red chronograph seconds hand are extremely well-liked.
For lovers of more sporty timepieces, TAG Heuer Monza watches are a fantastic and cheaper alternative to the Carrera. Upon their launch, they quickly found fans in the watch community and are now a highly-coveted collectors’ item. Although the timepieces have had many guises and have come and gone several times from the brand’s catalogue, it arguably has one of the best origin stories of any model produced by the manufacturer. If you like to live life in the fast lane, TAG Heuer Monza watches are a must to have in your collection.