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Sotheby’s Revving Up to Sell Watch Steve McQueen Wore in ‘Le Mans’
Appearing at auction for the first time, the Heuer Monaco chronograph is expected to sell for up to $1 million.
Steve McQueen, left, wearing a Heuer Monaco watch and his Gulf racing suit during the filming of “Le Mans.” One of the Monaco chronographs the actor wore in the 1971 racing film is going up for auction for the first time later this year at Sotheby’s. Pictured at right, the timepiece is expected to sell for between $500,000 and $1 million. (McQueen photo © Mel Traxel, courtesy of TAG Heuer; watch photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
New York—One of the four Heuer Monaco watches Steve McQueen wore in “Le Mans” will be up for auction this December, Sotheby’s announced Tuesday.
The Heuer Monaco Ref. 1133B is being offered as part of the auction house’s “Important Watches” sale on Dec. 11. It is the centerpiece of “Heuer Champions,” a selection of vintage chronographs from the brand now known as TAG Heuer.
According to Sotheby’s, the timepiece is one of six blue-dial Heuer Monaco models sent to the set of the 1971 film at the request of the property master, Don Nunley. Two of the watches had bracelets, and four had leather straps.
McQueen wore the watches with leather straps in the movie.
After filming wrapped, Bevan Weston, then a young mechanic on the Le Mans set who went on to work for McLaren, bought the watch and held onto it for 40 years.
He sold it to a private collector in 2010.
The Heuer Monaco Ref. 1133B is being offered as part of the auction house’s “Important Watches” sale on Dec. 11. It is the centerpiece of “Heuer Champions,” a selection of vintage chronographs from the brand now known as TAG Heuer.
According to Sotheby’s, the timepiece is one of six blue-dial Heuer Monaco models sent to the set of the 1971 film at the request of the property master, Don Nunley. Two of the watches had bracelets, and four had leather straps.
McQueen wore the watches with leather straps in the movie.
After filming wrapped, Bevan Weston, then a young mechanic on the Le Mans set who went on to work for McLaren, bought the watch and held onto it for 40 years.
He sold it to a private collector in 2010.
Bevan Weston, far right, is pictured wearing the Heuer Monaco he acquired from the set of “Le Mans” while rallying in Australia in the late 1970s. (Photo courtesy of Bevan Weston)
Another shot of the Heuer Monaco Ref. 1133B Sotheby’s will offer as part of its Dec. 11 “Important Watches” sale
Of the six watches used for filming, two are in TAG Heuer’s museum collection, and three already have appeared at auction.
Sotheby’s said the timepiece it is offering on Dec. 11 is the last of the movie-worn watches to appear at auction, as the private collector who bought it from Weston has decided to part with it.
Its estimated sale price is $500,000 to $1 million.
Geoff Hess, Sotheby’s newly promoted global head of watches and a “lifelong lover of the Heuer brand,” said bringing this watch to auction is a career highlight for him.
“The connection between cars and watches is well known, but the Ref. 1133B encapsulates this union in a way unmatched by other timepieces,” he said.
“For enthusiasts of racing, McQueen, or vintage chronographs, this watch represents the ultimate addition to any collection—a true ‘end game’ piece.”
Related stories will be right here …
Sotheby’s said the timepiece it is offering on Dec. 11 is the last of the movie-worn watches to appear at auction, as the private collector who bought it from Weston has decided to part with it.
Its estimated sale price is $500,000 to $1 million.
Geoff Hess, Sotheby’s newly promoted global head of watches and a “lifelong lover of the Heuer brand,” said bringing this watch to auction is a career highlight for him.
“The connection between cars and watches is well known, but the Ref. 1133B encapsulates this union in a way unmatched by other timepieces,” he said.
“For enthusiasts of racing, McQueen, or vintage chronographs, this watch represents the ultimate addition to any collection—a true ‘end game’ piece.”
The Heuer Monaco was launched in 1969 and, at the time, was one of only a handful of commercially available automatic chronograph wristwatches, alongside the brand’s Autavia and Carrera models.
Sotheby’s said the Monaco was the “perfect start” to a new decade of the design with its square case, brushed and polished finishes, and overall brutalist aesthetic.
Heuer was acquired by Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG) in 1985 and together the two companies became TAG Heuer.
TAG Heuer relaunched the Monaco in 1997 and Sotheby’s said it became a “runaway success” thanks to its advertising campaign, which featured McQueen.
The Heuer Monaco headlining Sotheby’s “Important Watches” auction in December is on public view from now through Saturday, Aug. 17, in Monterey, California, in conjunction with RM Sotheby’s flagship auction there. (RM Sotheby’s specializes in the auction of classic cars and automobile memorabilia.)
It is the first time the timepiece has been on public view since McQueen wore it in “Le Mans” more than 50 years ago.
The watch will return to the East Coast and be on display at Sotheby’s New York from Dec. 5-10, ahead of the auction on Dec. 11.
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