TAG Heuer Turns On The 'Brights' With The New, Lume-Dial Monaco 'Night Driver'

September 14, 2023

There are few watches that are more synonymous with driving than the Monaco. TAG Heuer considers it "the ultimate driver's watch" (of course) and while that might be a stretch, it's certainly an icon. But how do you take an iconic form like the square Monaco and add a bit of punch? TAG Heuer hasn't been short on ideas. The recent skeleton releases are some of the brand's boldest yet, but not exactly the most legible. The "Night Driver" changes that. With its black DLC grade 5 titanium polished and fine-brushed case, the new Monaco Chronograph Night Driver is a bold design and reminds me a lot of the "Dark Lord" vintage chronograph that's long been one of my all-time favorites. That watch came back last year as well, with modern touches. But for something even more legible for your nighttime drives, this new watch features a luminescent dial. In the daytime, you'll be looking at an anthracite, grey opaline grained dial with the Monaco's "circle in the square" two-piece dial construction. At night, however, the grey "circle" at the center of the dial stays dark to contrast with the luminous parts of the dial and the luminous hands. Inside is the Calibre 02 automatic movement, which has become a staple for the brand. It's a bit on the thicker side at 39mm by 14.7mm, but it's a workhorse, and we've covered why it should get extra attention. The watch is available as a numbered limited edition of 600 pieces at 9,300 CHF from boutiques, retailers, and the TAG Heuer website. What We Think I mentioned before that the "Dark Lord" is one of my favorite vintage watches. TAG Heuer came pretty close to the perfect reissue last year but the rose gold indices didn't really do it for me. But every time the brand releases a dark-cased watch my ears perk up. This isn't a "Dark Lord," but I think as its own thing, it's a pretty cool release. The grade 5 titanium case is a first for a Monaco chronograph which is pretty cool, but I feel like it's overshadowed by the striking luminous dial. I'm not sure where the lume dial craze kicked off, but it seems that with everyone from Citizen to A. Lange & Sohne creating their own versions, it's about time TAG Heuer gave the Monaco the treatment. You'll notice to make this lume work, the light grey sections of the dial are a bit textured by the luminous material, but in a way that looks somewhat interesting. At 9,300 CHF, it seems like a hefty price, but I'd still be interested in taking this out for a spin in an appropriately blacked-out car. For some reason my mind lands on a black Lamborghini Diablo. The Basics Brand: TAG HeuerModel: Monaco Chronograph Night DriverReference Number: CBL2181.FC6515Diameter: 39 mm diameterThickness: 14.7 mmCase Material: Black DLC grade 5 titanium polished, fine brushed caseDial Color: Anthracite, grey opaline, grained dial. Blue luminescent outer dialIndexes: Black gold-plated indexesLume: Black gold-plated hour and minute hands with blue Super-LumiNova?; luminous dialWater Resistance: 100 metersStrap/Bracelet: Black perforated calfskin strap, light grey stitching; black DLC grade 5 titanium folding clasp with double safety push-buttons The Movement Caliber: HEUER 02 AutomaticFunctions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronographDiameter: 31mmThickness: 6.9mmPower Reserve: 80 hoursWinding: Automatic Frequency: 28,800 vphJewels: 33 jewels Pricing & Availability Price: 9,300 CHFAvailability: Now at TAG Heuer boutiques, retailers, and on the TAG Heuer websiteLimited Edition: 600 pieces, individually engraved Shop this story The Hodinkee Shop is an authorized retailer of TAG Heuer. To view our collection of Monacos, click here. For more information about TAG Heuer, visit their website.TAG Heuer is part of the LVMH group. Although LVMH Luxury Ventures is a minority investor in HODINKEE, we maintain complete editorial independence.