Why This Watch Matters Sitting at the intersection of excellent design and technical innovation, Heuer's Monaco is undeniably iconic. The Full Story Heuer introduced the original Monaco in 1969 as part of a trio of watches that housed one of the earliest automatic chronograph movements, the caliber 11. Heuer worked with Breitling, Hamilton-Buren, and Dubois-Dépraz to create this movement. The collaboration, or "chronomatic consortium" as it was dubbed, was created during the race for the first automatic winding chronograph that emerged in the late 1960s around the watch world. Seiko, Zenith, and the consortium all had competing research and development projects that resulted in three new movements introduced months apart in 1969. The Monaco was originally offered with a lively blue dial – the watch Steve McQueen famously wore in the 1971 film Le Mans, one of his movie watches recently selling at Phillips for a vintage Heuer record of over $2.2 million. In 1972, Heuer came out with a grey-dialed version, the ref. 1133G, just like the example we have here, which originally retailed for $260. Grey dialed Monacos are a whole different breed with four variants. The sub registers on the dial were either painted or sunken and either black or grey in color. The example we have here features dial-matching grey sub registers that are sunken into the surface rather than simply painted. The caliber 11 inside our example here is actually the upgraded caliber 11-I. Heuer had a few issues with the caliber 11 when it was first released, which the brand subsequently improved with the updated caliber 11-I. Some ways to distinguish the caliber 11-I from the caliber 11 include underneath the balance wheel, where the 11-I will have an "I" stamped. Sometimes Heuer would punch a little triangle or star on the back of one of the lugs, and this watch has that behind the five o'clock lug. To read more on the differences between the caliber 11 and 11-I, take a look here. We paired this Heuer Monaco with our Sedona Strap in Black to match the overall monochromatic look without clashing with the red accents on the dial. The Fine Print Maker: HeuerModel: MonacoReference: 1133GYear: 1970sCase No: 159148Material: Stainless steelDimensions: 38 x 40mm (Height by Width); 14mm thickness Crystal: PlexiglassLume: Yes, tritiumCaliber: Heuer, self-winding, caliber 11-IBracelet/Strap: HODINKEE The Sedona Watch Strap in BlackLug Width: 22mmBox/Papers: No What we Love and What You Should Know This Monaco is in overall good, attractive condition. The case has some scratches and appears to have been polished in the past. The "Tool No. 33 HEUER" engraving on the caseback is fully visible (this is a reference to the tool needed to remove the caseback). The numbers between both sets of lugs are visible. The reverse side of the 5 o'clock lug has a small triangle stamped into it, Heuer's way of denoting the upgraded caliber 11-I inside. The caseback and the undersides of the lugs show scratches and nicks from past removal. The dial has developed a light overall patina. The sub registers have some small scratches. The lume on the dial has developed patina and shows signs of degradation. The lume on the hands has developed patina and is full. The color of the lume on the dial and hands is matching at a dark yellow. The hands and hour markers have developed a slight patina. The dial, caseback, movement, and crown are all signed by Heuer. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
