American actor Patrick Dempsey wore a TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 ‘McQueen’ Chronograph, while attending the Monaco Grand Prix as a guest of TAG Heuer. I know, because I had the pleasure of watching the race with him this weekend and ended up, like so many others, taking a few snaps of him, though I seemed to be the only one interested in his choice of watch.
Known for his work on screen, and his recurring role in Grey’s Anatomy, Dempsey is also a keen racing driver, and has participated in a number of prestigious events, finishing second at last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, in the GTE-Am class (with a team he co-owns). However, this was his first time attending the Monaco Grand Prix and he eyes were firmly on the track from Saturday morning's practice sessions to the final lap of the race today.
Dempsey famously became a close friend of the Swiss manufacture, after purchasing a vintage Monaco, found in Belgium. However, he told me he did not like wearing it “while traveling.” Perfectly executing his ambassadorial duties this weekend, Dempsey wore the new-ish Monaco Calibre 11, and seemed delighted to be asked to model - not for a selfie - but for a wristshot after the race.
I happen to have had the pleasure of wearing and reviewing the exact same watch over the weekend on HODINKEE Live. I've already shared my feelings of it there, but I'll repeat myself and say it is, in terms of design, almost a genuine copy-paste version of the original Ref. 1133B, from the red-filled hour and minute hands and red markers every 5-mins, to the horizontal indices, and the much loved blue and white dial combination. But substantial changes have been made to the movement.
Generally, I have to say I really enjoyed the left-hand position of the crown. Not only is it a cool throwback to the original 'McQueen' Monaco, it brings the overall size of the watch down since it no longer touches the top of the wrist. In theory, the crown should be manipulated much less than the chronograph pushers anyways. It's a little odd at first - remember to set it before you place it on the wrist - but it's not the nuisance you would imagine it to be.
For more information, please visit the TAG Heuer website. Oh, and if vintage is your thing, check out Ben's Week on the Wrist review of the original Monaco here.
No comments:
Post a Comment