TAG Heuer Monaco CAW211P.FC6356 39MM

The Tag Heuer Monaco CAW211P.C6356 is a faithful and tasteful tribute. A celebration of bold design, automotive heritage, and one of the most audacious chapters in the history of Swiss watchmaking. Launched in 2015, this reference resurrects the unmistakable design of the original Heuer Monaco 1133B from 1969, famously worn by Steve McQueen in the cult racing film Le Mans. With its square case, left-hand crown, and bright blue dial, the Monaco has always stood apart. And in the CAW211P, Tag Heuer delivers a near one-to-one reissue that appeals as much to vintage purists as it does to modern enthusiasts.

The Birth of the Heuer Monaco: Disrupting the Norm (1969)

In 1969, the Swiss watch industry was on the cusp of a revolution—both in terms of technology and aesthetics. Traditional designs dominated the market, but Heuer, under the leadership of Jack Heuer, sought to challenge conventions. With its roots firmly in motorsport, Heuer had already built a reputation with chronographs like the Autavia and Carrera. The next move? Something radical.

The Monaco was introduced in March 1969, making headlines not just for its unusual square shape and bold dial but for what lay inside: the Calibre 11. This movement was part of a trio of automatic chronograph calibres launched that year (alongside Zenith’s El Primero and Seiko’s 6139). The Calibre 11 was developed in partnership with Breitling, Buren, and Dubois-Dépraz, marking Heuer’s entry into the automatic chronograph race.

The Monaco 1133B broke with every aesthetic norm of the time. Its square case, manufactured by Piquerez, was waterproof—a novelty for square watches. The metallic blue dial, red hands, and crown placed on the left (a deliberate signal that this was automatic and didn’t need daily winding) gave it a futuristic, almost rebellious character.

Yet despite its innovations, the Monaco was not an immediate commercial success. Too avant-garde for its time, it was viewed as a curiosity—until Hollywood stepped in.

Steve McQueen, Le Mans, and Cultural Immortality

The Monaco’s status was immortalised in 1971 when Steve McQueen wore the reference 1133B during the filming of Le Mans. Jack Heuer had arranged a deal for the brand’s placement in the movie, and McQueen—aiming for authenticity—chose the Monaco to complement his Gulf-liveried racing suit, just as real drivers of the era wore Heuer chronographs.

This moment changed everything. The image of McQueen with the Monaco became an icon of cool, helping to retroactively elevate the watch’s cultural cachet. From that point on, the Monaco was no longer just a bold experiment; it became a symbol of motorsport chic and Hollywood allure.

Evolution and Resurrection

While the Monaco line faded in and out of the Heuer catalogue through the 1970s and 1980s, it never fully disappeared. Following TAG Group’s acquisition of Heuer in 1985 and the subsequent rebranding as TAG Heuer, the Monaco returned in various reinterpretations—some mechanical, some quartz. But the most faithful revival came decades later.

In 2009, for the Monaco’s 40th anniversary, TAG Heuer released the CAW211A—a limited edition that sought to replicate the original 1133B more closely than ever. This paved the way for a permanent production model, the CAW211P, launched in 2015.

The Tag Heuer Monaco CAW211P.C6356: A Faithful Reissue

The CAW211P.C6356 stands as the modern successor to the 1133B. While not a carbon copy, it carefully reproduces many of the vintage details that collectors hold dear. The case retains its iconic 39mm square form, but it’s built with modern standards of finishing and water resistance (100 metres, up from 30 metres in the original). It has more presence on the wrist thanks to slightly thicker proportions, accommodating a modern movement.

The dial is the star: a sunburst metallic blue with two white sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock, red-tipped hands, applied faceted markers, and vintage-style Heuer branding (with no “TAG”). This detail alone speaks volumes—it shows respect for the heritage era, allowing the Monaco to wear its retro DNA proudly.

The crown remains at 9 o’clock, just like in the 1969 original, a nod to the Calibre 11’s modular construction. The pushers, placed at 2 and 4 o’clock, are beefed up slightly for modern durability but retain the vintage aesthetic. The sapphire crystal is subtly domed and bevelled, replacing the original mineral glass with something far more durable.

Inside beats the modern Calibre 11—not the original micro-rotor movement, but a Sellita base (SW300) with a Dubois-Dépraz chronograph module. While some purists lament the modular approach, the layout mirrors the original and allows for the same crown-pusher configuration. The movement delivers 40 hours of power reserve and beats at 28,800vph, providing robustness for daily wear.

On the back, a sapphire display case shows off the decorated movement—a touch of modern transparency for a watch that was once all mystery. The perforated calfskin racing strap with a folding clasp rounds out the look, evoking 1970s track-side style with updated comfort.

The Importance of Detail: What Makes the CAW211P Special

The CAW211P is not simply a watch—it’s a deliberate act of reverence. While other Monaco variants over the years have played with design and movement choices, this reference gets as close as TAG Heuer dares to the soul of the 1133B. It avoids gimmicks, resists modern branding, and doesn’t apologise for being a throwback.

Key elements that elevate the CAW211P include:

• No “TAG” on the dial: This subtle but crucial choice appeals to collectors who value the Heuer brand’s pre-1985 legacy.
• Left-hand crown: A small ergonomic compromise, but a big nod to the original’s technical DNA.
• Sunburst blue dial: Almost indistinguishable from the vintage shade, it captures the energy of the original without looking artificial or aged.
• Case dimensions: At 39mm, it is technically slightly smaller than the original’s diagonal measurement, but it wears with the same commanding wrist presence thanks to the bold geometry.

It’s these details—not just a brand logo or colourway—that give the CAW211P its authenticity. Unlike other Monaco editions that feel like reinterpretations or modernisations, this one feels like a reawakening.

The Monaco’s Place in Modern Watchmaking

In an age where every brand mines its archives for reissues and heritage models, the Monaco CAW211P stands apart because of its honesty. It does not try to be “inspired by” the past—it is the past, brought forward with care.

More than five decades after its debut, the Monaco continues to attract a loyal following among collectors who appreciate its unorthodox design and its rebellious spirit. It’s not an everyday piece in the sense of subtlety or discretion, but that was never the point. The Monaco was born to stand out.

For those who understand its lineage, wearing a Monaco—especially the CAW211P—is like wearing a piece of watchmaking history. It speaks to an era of motorsport glamour, of technical bravado, of cinematic cool. And unlike many vintage reissues, it doesn’t feel nostalgic for the sake of marketing—it feels like a genuine continuation of a story that began on the race tracks of the 1960s.

Final Thoughts

The Tag Heuer Monaco CAW211P.C6356 isn’t just a watch for fans of Steve McQueen or retro design. It’s a reference point—a living tribute to a time when Swiss watchmaking took bold risks in form, function, and innovation. While its case shape might still divide opinions, the Monaco has become a modern icon, and the CAW211P secures its legacy.

In faithfully echoing the 1133B, this model allows modern wearers to connect with a pivotal moment in horological history. It’s mechanical, it’s purposeful, and it doesn’t try to blend in. The CAW211P reminds us that some icons aren’t born to be understated—they’re made to be square.

Case is in good condition with hairlines and minor chips. Bracelet is a little worn. Crystal has a small chip at top right corner seen on magnification.

The dial and hands are in flawless condition, with no marks, ageing or discolouration—retaining their original finish and sharpness.