For those of us who admire the iconic square silhouette of the TAG Heuer Monaco—especially the legendary “Steve McQueen” edition—there’s no denying the magnetic pull of its bold design and motorsport heritage. But for many enthusiasts, the dream of owning the real deal can remain just that—a dream. That’s where replicas come in, and while they’ll never replace the original, some manage to capture the spirit remarkably well.

Recently, I got my hands on a replica of the TAG Heuer “Steve McQueen” Monaco, and I must admit—it left quite the impression. Here’s a friendly, detailed rundown of this homage, with both its highlights and inevitable compromises.

The first thing that catches the eye is how remarkably close the face and subdials are to the original. The chronograph layout, the iconic square case, and even the subdial hands are convincing at a glance. It’s a visual love letter to the real Monaco.

Of course, not everything is perfect. Notably, the hour and minute hands are missing the signature red stripe at their tips—a detail that purists might miss. Additionally, instead of the words “Automatic Chronograph” on the dial, the replica plainly reads “Quartz Chronograph.” While this might be seen as a flaw, I find a bit of honesty refreshing here. It acknowledges what lies beneath the case: a quartz movement. For the price point, that’s expected and totally fair.

One of the pleasant surprises is the lume. Unlike many replicas that skip this detail, the lume on this Monaco homage actually glows in the dark. It’s not blinding, but it works well enough to tell the time in low light—adding a dash of real-world functionality to this budget-friendly piece.

Here’s where we start seeing some of the expected quirks. The crown doesn’t bear the engraved Heuer logo, which is a small miss, but aesthetically it resembles the crown on the 2003 CW2113 model—a nice nod, even if unintentional.

That said, it’s a dummy crown—completely decorative and non-functional. On the genuine Monaco, the crown is recessed on the right side, contributing to its iconic asymmetry. The replica opts for simplicity, and while it looks fine, it doesn’t serve a purpose.

The deployant clasp also lacks accurate engraving, and the case back mimics the CW2113 form but omits the critical TAG Heuer serial number. Again, not unexpected, but worth noting for transparency.

One of the most impressive aspects of this replica is the build quality. The case has a satisfying weight to it—not overly heavy, but enough to make it feel legitimate on the wrist. The leather strap is a pleasant surprise, too. It’s thick, well-padded, and perforated—channeling the racing vibe perfectly.

If you’re someone who enjoys the look and feel of a vintage racing chronograph but doesn’t want to worry about scratches or damage, this could be a fun daily wearer or a weekend conversation piece.

This is where the replica shows its hand—no pun intended lorenasredwagon.com. The right subdial, which should function as a running second hand, is essentially cosmetic. It moves, but only in sync with the hour hand, rendering it useless for timekeeping.

However, not all is lost. The 30-minute totalizer subdial on the left is functional, and the chronograph’s red central second hand operates properly—though without a flyback feature. It’s not Swiss precision, but it’s serviceable, especially considering the price.

Let’s be clear: this replica isn’t trying to be a 1:1 recreation of the Steve McQueen Monaco. But it doesn’t have to be. What it offers is a respectful and aesthetically pleasing nod to one of the most iconic chronographs in watch history. It’s for fans who love the look but aren’t ready—or willing—to invest thousands into a luxury timepiece.

Whether you wear it as a starter piece, a casual daily beater, or simply as a bit of horological fun, this Monaco homage delivers more than it promises—and that’s something worth appreciating.