Colour of Speed: Introducing TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green

The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green reference (Ref. CAW218E.FC6565) has just been launched as a 1,000-piece limited-edition destro (the crown is spotted on the left side of the watch) novelty. Watch enthusiasts would remember that the racing blue version was released more than a year ago.

If we look back in history, the Racing Green colour became synonymous with British race vehicles in the early 20th century. In fact, it all began in 1903, when Britain looked for a colour to represent their autos in the Gordon Bennett Cup. British teams chose dark green as a symbol of national identity. Over the years, brands like Aston Martin, Bentley, and Jaguar have been carrying forward British Racing Green's legacy.

Like its racing blue cousin, the new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green variant also comes in a 39 mm Grade 2 titanium sandblasted case. This material can be found on the lugs, the crown at 9 o’clock, and the two chronograph pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock as well. The watch has a silver sunray-brushed dial, reminiscent of the engines-turned-dashboards seen in sports cars of the 1920s and 1930s. This dial gets eight applied, polished, and silvered hour markers as well as 12 light green Super-LumiNova® dot markers.

The faceted baton marker at 12 o’clock features a yellow stripe, serving as a direct connection to the chronograph’s yellow lacquered central hand and the touches of yellow generally spotted on celebrated race cars. In addition to a round minute track, the dial has two green opaline square subdials: the 60-second counter at 3 o’clock and the 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock. There is an angled date window at 6 o’clock as well. The arrow-shaped hour and minute hands with blue Super-LumiNova® are rhodium-plated.

The watch is run by the automatic chronograph Calibre 11, based on Sellita SW300-1; it delivers 40 hours of power reserve. Turning the watch over showcases the exhibition caseback with four visible screws and an oscillating weight with the embossing of ‘Heuer Calibre 11’. The caseback also bears the engraving, ‘ONE OF 1000’. Finishing the watch is a green calfskin perforated leather strap, complete with a matching green lining, and a Grade 2 titanium folding clasp with double safety push-buttons and the HEUER logo.