TAG Heuer introduced the Monza in 1976, named after the world-famous Italian formula one circuit. The Monza caliber 17 recalls the glory days of racing, while offering many more than retro designs. Let’s see more details below.
The new Monza combines the best characteristics of two historical models – its dial design can be traced back to the original Monza from the year 1976 and its case to a Heuer chronograph from 1933. This cushion-shaped case was an early style of watch. Monza from the 70s has an oval case, which is typical for the time, and can be chrome plated or black coated with brass. Replica TAG Heuer neglected this daring design element for its newest version, due in part to its use of the ETA 2894, known at TAG Heuer as Calibre 17. This standard movement reverses the position of the small seconds and minutes counter and relocates the crown to the right side of the case.
In conclusion, these changes benefit the new Monza, giving it a sporty and relaxed look that is not as idiosyncratic as the original. Whatever it loses when it’s cold, it gets a polish and matte finish from the cushion-shaped shell. Titanium contributes to its superior wear comfort and titanium carbide coating makes it highly scratch resistant.
The fake Monza has a sealed caseback as before – even though the technology beneath is in no way so unattractive that it must be hidden. TAG Heuer uses the basic movement quality “Elaboré” and adds various decorative finishes and an individualized rotor. Black enhanced engraving rather than gold on the oscillator fits the overall sporty design of the watch.
The ETA 2894 is a modular chronograph based on the three-hand caliber ETA 2892, so the crown sits lower on the case than the chronograph pushers. Even though the pushers are widely sized, their pressure point is not so good. The start-stop pusher on our test replica watch had a notably delayed reaction when timing events. The stop and reset worked better but the pusher function was stiff. This is at least partly due to cam-controlled timing, replacing the historical and top-quality cylinder wheel control in more economical timing motion.
The speed results are generally acceptable. However, the timing machine recorded an outlier at the “dial down” position, which negatively affected the average results of our rigorous rate tests.
The perforated calfskin strap is also perfectly in line with the automotive appeal of the Monza design, as are the sporty case and dashboard-like displays. The strap ends in a functional, well-executed folding clasp with push-buttons that are also made of PVD-coated titanium. Its clamp-type clasp mechanism allows for precise adjustment. It compresses the strap at the point of closure, though not to the extent seen on similar clasps. All together, the TAG Heuer Monza Calibre 17 is more stylish than the original model from the 1970s of better quality and therefore, more attractive.