Auctions

Rolex Connected to Steven McQueen Goes Up for Auction

AuctionsJun 18, 2018

Rolex Connected to Steven McQueen Goes Up for Auction

Phillips said the Submariner Ref. 5513 was a gift to his longtime stuntman and is expected to sell for between $300,000 and $600,000.

20180618_McQueen-header.jpg
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513 actor Steve McQueen reportedly gave to his longtime stuntman, Loren Janes, in the mid-to late ‘70s will go up for auction in October.

New York--Continuing the trend of notable Rolexes going up on the block, one watch auction scheduled for the fall will feature a Rolex connected to actor and “King of Cool,” Steve McQueen.

The Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513 is the highlight of Phillips’ next New York Watch Auction, scheduled for Oct. 25, and is expected to sell for between $300,000 and $600,000.

The backstory on the timepiece, as provided by Phillips, is the following.

Owned and worn by McQueen before being given to stuntman Loren Janes as a gift, the wristwatch’s caseback is inscribed with, “To Loren, the best damn stuntman in the world. Steve.”

McQueen became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after and highest paid actors during his 26-year career. He also flew airplanes, and raced cars and motorcycles. As such, he needed a watch that could keep up and, Phillips said, found that in the Rolex Submariner.

Janes was brought in to test as his stunt double on the show that propelled McQueen into the public eye, “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” a TV Western McQueen starred in from 1958 until 1961.

McQueen would go on to request Janes as his double any time their schedules would allow, Phillips said, resulting in Janes being in the role for 19 of McQueen’s 27 major motion pictures and the two becoming lifelong friends.

The actor died on Nov. 7, 1980, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, after undergoing surgery to remove several tumors.


The Rolex Submarine Ref. 5513 Steve McQueen reportedly gave to his stuntman, Loren Janes, likely in the mid-to-late 1970s

Janes performed as a stunt double and served as a stunt coordinator in many other notable films and TV series until he retired in 2002. He died last year due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

McQueen was known to give watches to friends and colleagues as gifts, just like the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll did.

Phillips said this particular watch is the earliest McQueen-owned Submariner known, dating to 1964, and is the only known Steve McQueen watch to include his name engraved on the caseback. It is believed that the watch was given to Janes in the mid- to late ‘70s.

Adding to the watch’s interest is the fact that, according to Phillips, it was recovered after the 2016 Sand Fire outside Los Angeles destroyed the Janes home and was restored by Rolex, which documented the process and preserved the watch’s caseback, which still
has some soot on it.


The watch’s caseback is inscribed with the words “To Loren, the best damn stuntman in the world. Steve”.

While Phillips has made headlines in recent months for record-setting auctions of watches with interesting backstories, like Paul Newman’s own Paul Newman, the story it shared when it announced the sale of Steve McQueen’s Rolex Submariner earlier this month has come under scrutiny.

As reported by watch websites including Hodinkee and Jake’s Rolex World, the Steve McQueen estate is disputing the provenance of the Rolex Submariner as put forth by Phillips, though it is unclear from its statement exactly what part of the story the estate takes issue with.

Phillips did not respond to immediate request for comment on the estate’s claims Monday morning.

The auction house said in its initial release that the wristwatch will be sold with a letter signed by Janes attesting to its provenance; a letter and photos from Rolex USA documenting its restoration; and a book titled “Steve McQueen: A Life in Pictures,” with photos of McQueen wearing the watch.

A portion of the proceeds from the watch auction will benefit The Boys Republic, an all-boys school for troubled adolescents in California that rehabilitated McQueen when he was young.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 02, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry storefront
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent Jeweler

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy