INTRODUCING: The TAG Heuer Monaco Purple Dial Limited Edition (Live Pics)
Fergus NashI didn’t quite believe it when people started claiming that purple was the new colour craze of 2022, but that fact is now undeniable. The TAG Heuer Monaco Purple Dial Limited Edition is a real sign of change, given that such an iconic watch doesn’t often get updated to follow each and every trend. Striking a sweet balance between playfulness, utility, masculinity and femininity, this release has something for everyone to enjoy.
When considering a sports watch, it can be easy to forget that sports are games at their core. Competition may be cutthroat and elevated to hero-making heights or soul-crushing lows, but there will always be an element of fun involved in the game, no matter if it’s football or an F1 race. The Monaco has always been a fun watch regardless of its serious competitive associations, with the square shape remaining a curiosity, even if the design is now classic. Injecting that formula with an eccentric colour leans further into the flippant character without sacrificing its competitive edge.
The justification behind the purple colouring is a callback to the reference 1113B, prior to the famous Steve McQueen Monaco. Those watches used a metallic blue paint over a brass dial plate which had the potential to darken over time, and can occasionally be found today with a similar dark purple patina in that dégradé pattern. In this uniform, non-patinated execution, the TAG Heuer Monaco Purple Dial Limited Edition has a sumptuous shade of pink-rich purple, not too far from light shining through Ribena. The vignette around the edges and the sunburst brushing expands the colour palette to include pastel shades of violet to the deepest blacks, depending on how the light hits it.
The case is the same modern Monaco case that has been refined over the decades to represent the best of the brand, with a 39mm diameter and a compact 47mm lug-to-lug length, which fits most wrists while retaining a big visual presence. It has a thickness of 14.2mm, which isn’t overbearing, but this definitely isn’t a watch that wants to be hidden beneath a shirt cuff. It’s pool-safe with a water resistance of 100m, although you would probably want to first change the alligator leather strap and be sure not to press the chronograph pushers when submerged.
The TAG Heuer Monaco Purple Dial Limited Edition also uses the in-house Heuer 02 movement that’s found its way into a wide variety of TAG Heuer models thanks to its automatic winding, column-wheel operation, 28,800 vph beat rate, and a generous 80-hour power reserve. The movement is clearly visible through the sapphire display caseback, with a black skeletonised rotor that allows easy viewing of the decoration and the purple-coated column wheel.
The TAG Heuer Monaco Purple Dial Limited Edition pricing and availability:
The TAG Heuer Monaco Purple Dial Limited Edition is limited to just 500 pieces and will be available from TAG Heuer boutiques and authorised dealers. Price: $7,150 USD
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm x 47mm x 14.2mm |
| Water-Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Purple |
| Straps | Black alligator leather |
| Movement | Heuer 02 |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph |