By Adam Keith, Associate Timepiece Editor for ViaLuxe-

The TAG Heuer Monaco LS Chronograph Calibre 12 is an audacious new addition to TAG Heuer's iconic square sports watch collection.  Said by the brand to be a restatement of the game-altering qualities the Monaco design first presented to the staid world of watches 40 years ago on the wrist of Steve McQueen, this technically powerful wristwatch makes use of linear displays to challenge convention in the ways that time is read and perceived.

Measuring 40.5mm, the case of the TAG Heuer Monaco LS Chronograph Caliber 12 is crafted from finely polished stainless steel.  It is water resistant to 100 meters.  In a nod to the fabled Monaco V4 Concept, the sapphire crystal is cambered and beveled, to create a sophisticated visual aspect that enhances the strikingly original dial.  Hours and minutes are presented centrally, and chronograph hours appear directly below, in a circular subdial.  Chronograph minutes are shown at 9 o'clock, via a rotating disc which moves through a semi-circular aperture.  These displays are contrasted in a most unusual fashion through unique linear displays for the date, at 12 o'clock, and continuous small seconds, at 3 o'clock.  Giving added potency to these unexpected and provocative displays are the chronograph pushers which rise dramatically off the side of the case like miniature towers.

In creating the self-winding mechanical movement for the Monaco LS Chronograph Caliber 12, TAG Heuer collaborated with well-known movement specialist Debois-Depraz.  The result is a movement which will offer both reliability and functionality, in addition to an exciting and avant garde manner of presenting the time. 

To accompany the launch, TAG Heuer created an entertaining mini-movie as commercial entitled "The Duel", starring Steve McQueen (with footage taken from the movie Le Mans) and modern-day F1 superstar and TAG Heuer ambassador Hamilton Lewis.  The cordial rivalry between the two icons ends on the track when a bested McQueen offers his 1969 Monaco chronograph to Lewis.  Lewis graciously acknowledges the offer, but tells McQueen to keep his watch, saying "we're in the future now", as he nods at the Monaco LS Chronograph Caliber 12 on his own wrist.  Click here to watch "The Duel" . 

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