The three-time F1 champ wore a skeletonized chronograph while celebrating on the podium.
Getty/Arnaud Moro/TAG Heuer
Max Verstappen proved he is a true technical racer at the Austrian Grand Prix over the weekend. The watch on his wrist was a technical gem, too.
The Red Bull driver took his fifth consecutive win on Sunday in a nail-biting race riddled with track-limit offenses. (The Dutchman also won Saturday’s 62-mile sprint after almost colliding with teammate Sergio Pérez in the opening lap.) He celebrated the victory on the podium wearing a newly launched TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph.
A triumph of form and function, the watch features a 39 mm square-shaped titanium case and matching bezel. The intricately skeletonized dial pays tribute to the Monaco’s original color scheme, pairing a cool blue hue with red and white highlights. The face shows sub-dials at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock and a date window at 6 o’clock.
A close-up of Verstappen’s trophy and chronograph.MARK THOMPSON/GETTY
The piece is powered by TAG’s in-house Heuer 02 movement, which features a column wheel and oscillating mass. The automatic caliber delivers an 80-hour power reserve and water resistance of up to 100 meters. It is also clearly visible through a sapphire-crystal window on the caseback.
This is the first time a Monoco has been equipped with a blue embossed leather and rubber strap. TAG says it is as sporty on the wrist as it is versatile on the track.
Verstappen celebrates his win on the podium.CIANCAPHOTO STUDIO/GETTY
TAG recently created a one-off Monaco for Verstappen and gave it to him at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix back in May. It actually has a long history of presenting champions with avant-garde wrist candy that honors their achievements. The watchmaker says that during the golden era of motorsport in the 1970s, drivers considered the gift of a TAG to be a sign of success. TAG also designed a custom chronograph for Sergio Perez. His iteration was characterized by a DLC titanium case and turquoise touches.
Verstappen wore a Monaco Titan to celebrate winning his first Driver’s Championship back in 2021. Let’s see if he chooses to rock a Monoco again this year.
