Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XXIII

1 1 9 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I T he new Heuer Monza Chronograph is the latest timepiece in a remarkable family tree of Monza watches, and it celebrates 40 years of history – the perfect occasion for a stunning reissue of an iconic watch. Back in 1976, Jack Heuer, the great grandson of TAG Heuer’s founder, designed a chronograph to celebrate Niki Lauda’s first world championship title with Ferrari. TAG Heuer was at this time the Official Timekeeper for Scuderia and this was the first time that Monza appeared on the dial of a watch. When it emerged, the watch was a statement piece with no close comparisons. Innately stylish, the coussin case echoed the 1925 model and it was a timepiece packed with technology. The black chronograph came equipped with a pulsometer (to measure the heart rate) and a tachymeter scale (which converts time into speed), and red hands and counters to reflect its racing heritage. Now the latest iteration of this hugely popular watch returns to its roots with two core functions – the pulsometer and the tachymeter scale (not seen on previous reissues) – and with the original font. The famous original coussin case is an obvious necessity here and it’s beautifully all-black, just like the historic model, with black and white lacquered hour and minute hands as on the original. The case is constructed from titanium, making it lighter and more shock resistant, and it’s blackened with titanium carbide. It measures in at 42mm, making it perceptibly bigger than the 2000-era Monza. Also the sapphire crystal is domed rather than flat as it was on the 2000/ 2011 Monza. The same applies to the indices in vintage orange Super-LumiNova. Likewise, the historic Heuer logo on the dial, which attests to the model’s place in the manufacture's historic collection. Also reminiscent of the 1976 Monza, the crown and pushers are in polished stainless steel. TAG Heuer has expertly rejuvenated the design of the 1976 model, making a wonderfully modern timepiece look impeccably retro-cool. There is just one choice of strap, and thankfully it’s the only choice you could need – as it’s a super racing strap in full-grain black calfskin with top-stitching evoking the design of the three-spoke steering wheel on the period racing cars. This soon-to-be-coveted timepiece is powered by a 17 automatic calibre, a chronograph with its two chronograph counters at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock – perfectly spaced for a beautifully harmonious dial. The screw- on back is numbered and features the historic Heuer logo engraved with red lacquer finish. The original Heuer Monza is highly prized by collectors, especially as it has only been reissued a handful of times. With this model so accurately representing the style and spirit of the original, it is sure to become a collector piece and a milestone watch in TAG Heuer’s heritage. TAG HEUER THE HEUER MONZA CHRONOGRAPH