Telling Time

For a revered watchmaker like Tag Heuer, the passing of time is all in a day's work. But this year marks the company's 150th anniversary. What started out as a small workshop in the Swiss Jura Mountains has since grown into a global brand known as much for its luxury as for its technology. And to celebrate the remarkable milestone, they've released a number of limited-edition watches. Like a re-issue of the Monaco—the world's first automatic chronograph—which itself, is celebrating it's own anniversary.  Forty years ago, Steve McQueen made the watch famous when he strapped one on for the filming of "Le Mans" in 1970. But if you're not in the market for an upscale watch, you can simply admire the pages of Nick Foulkes's new book, celebrating the timeless art of the timepieces.

• The company became TAG Heuer in 1985 when TAG (Techniques d'Avant Garde), makers of Formula One cars, acquired Heuer.

Monaco chronograph, $4,500

Edouard Heuer's patent.