Fancy treating yourself this Christmas? You could splash out on Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco watch. It’s going up for auction.
Yes, his very own Monaco, not one of the many reissues. Let’s be honest, you can go and buy one now looking pretty much the same. Although it would cost you something like £5,000 if you did. Saying that, it is something of a bargain compared to the money you might have to pay for Steve’s own watch.
Steve McQueen’s 1969 Heuer Monaco is going up for sale via auction next month, the one worn by the acting icon during the filming of Le Mans in 1970. You might notice that it isn’t Tag Heuer. The company was just using the name Heuer back then.
Six were made for the film, but only one was actually worn by Steve McQueen during the film. This one. It’s a timepiece that is almost as famous with the man himself and certainly synonymous with him. That’s why this is such a significant sale.
Of course, the watch itself is an impressive piece of kit, original or not. It was one of the world’s first self-winding chronograph wristwatches as well as the world’s first water-resistant square-cased watch. It also oozes style. This is a watch to get you noticed.
Despite its significance, the watch has been largely hidden from view for decades. After filming was completed, the watch was gifted to Haig Alltounian, the chief mechanic of the film and McQueen’s personal mechanic. Someone very important to Steve McQueen.
It was kept securely by Alltounian for years, with its existence only being brought to light in a documentary as few years back. After much consideration and with an eye on leaving a legacy for his family, the mechanic has now decided to part with his valued possession. But it will not be going cheap.
I don’t know how much it will go for with auction house Phillips simply saying ‘upon request’ if you want to know. I suspect you will need to register and have funds available to find out, but estimates are around the $1 million mark. Maybe even more.
Which makes those reissues suddenly look a lot more affordable. But if you want the real deal and the all-important provenance, you can register your interest now at the Phillips website.
Via His Knibs
