When Steve McQueen stepped onto the set of Le Mans in 1971, he wasn’t just playing a role. He was embodying a racing legend. And to do that, he handpicked the Heuer Monaco – a decision that would define the legacy of both the actor and the timepiece. Half a century later, TAG Heuer pays tribute once more, launching a limited-edition Monaco x Gulf that doesn’t just lean on nostalgia – it builds directly from it.
Crafted for the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix weekend, this edition stands apart for one reason: authenticity. TAG Heuer didn’t stop at the iconic Gulf racing stripes or the vintage Heuer logo. They went to the source – tracking down Hinchman, the Indiana-based outfitter that supplied McQueen’s racing suit in Le Mans , and recreated that exact material for the strap. The result? A white Nomex textile strap with orange stitching and lining, directly tied to the film’s costume lineage. For practicality, a second strap – navy blue perforated calfskin – is included, making the watch wearable in everyday settings.
The dial is an exercise in refinement and subtle flair. Fine-grained silver (which reads more as white) serves as the canvas for bold Gulf livery on the right side – blue, white, and orange racing stripes seamlessly integrated into the dial structure. Black opaline sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock, a date window at 6 framed in black, and polished applied indices keep everything legible and symmetrical. The vintage Heuer logo, placed proudly up top, completes the nod to Monaco’s heritage.
Housed in a 39mm sandblasted grade 2 titanium case, the watch is powered by the Calibre 11 automatic movement – a modular chronograph with a Sellita base and Dubois-Depraz chronograph module. The left-side crown remains an unmistakable hallmark of the Monaco line, and through the sapphire caseback, Geneva stripes and perlage give the movement the finish it deserves.
Limited to just 971 pieces, referencing the year Le Mans hit the big screen, the TAG Heuer Monaco x Gulf is priced at $9,550. Available now through TAG Heuer’s official channels, this piece isn’t just another heritage nod – it’s a direct continuation of one of motorsport’s most stylish stories. Be sure to check our list of the most expensive watches.
