In 1969, Jack Heuer made two decisions that would cement his brand's legacy permanently in watchmaking history. The first was co-developing the first automatic chronograph movement, the Calibre 11. The second was putting it inside a square case — the Monaco — at a moment when the entire industry was making round watches. The result was one of the most radical designs in the history of the wristwatch.
The McQueen Effect
The Monaco had a reasonable commercial launch, but its cultural transformation came in 1970 when Steve McQueen wore a reference 1133B on his left wrist throughout the filming of "Le Mans." McQueen had requested the watch specifically — he knew what it was — and in doing so gave it an association with cinema, speed, and cool that no advertising budget could have purchased.
The Design Logic
The Monaco's square case is not merely an aesthetic choice. The Calibre 11 movement — a large calibre — was too big for the round cases of its era. The square case solved a practical engineering problem while simultaneously creating a visual signature. The blue dial, the subdials at three and nine, and the red chronograph seconds hand create a composition that is immediately legible and visually dynamic.
The Monaco in 2025
The current Monaco collection spans from the entry-level Calibre Heuer 02 references to the celebratory Steve McQueen editions. The ref. CAW211P.FC6356, in titanium with a Gulf-inspired blue and orange dial, is our favourite contemporary expression — a watch that balances heritage fidelity with modern construction standards. The Heuer 02 movement inside is certified to COSC chronometer standards.
