Did you know that watches and cars have a lot in common? Both are tools that can also have style and history. We normally stick to cars but every once in a while we will feature a watch. And if we were only going to feature one, this would be it. This Heuer Monaco was worn by Steve McQueen in the movie Le Mans. That makes it one of the coolest timepieces in existence. It’s being auction off by Sotheby’s and I bet you’ll be surprised at what it ultimately sells for.
Heuer was already known for their connection to motorsport before this watch hit the big screen. When Jack Heuer took over the family business he went looking for markets to target and auto racing stood out to him. So he tried to make deals with drivers and manufactures and ended up scoring a logo on Ferrari’s F1 car. What really helped them though was a promotional deal where you could get a discounted watch with your proof of purchase for a carton of Viceroy cigarettes.
Back to this particular watch though. Heuer was racing with a few other manufactures to create the first automatic chronograph. A chronograph is basically a stopwatch (useful for timing things like racecars) and an automatic is a watch that doesn’t need to be wound. Up until 1969 you couldn’t get both in the same watch. Some claim that Zenith or Seiko beat them to it but Heuer still claimed the prize.
Heuer released a few styles of watches with their new movement but the Monaco was the most unique. The square case featured a domed crystal and was unlike anything else. All early Monacos are special but the connection to the king of cool makes this one the ultimate crown jewel for any Heuer collector. As such, it will end up selling for an astronomical amount of money. Will it reach a million dollars though? This should be interesting.
Big surprise I’m the one leading this one. You’d think the person that submitted the “terlet”, the 2 story motorhome, and the driver simulator , among others, would understand, but,,,meh. 1st of all, I’m( obviously) not into time, man, and with all the hands on chores I’ve done, a watch was too cumbersome, for the most part, I had 2 times of day, daytime and nighttime. My life and jobs usually featured “round the clock activity. I rarely slept, as I always had something to do. Sleeping was a waste of time for me.
I’m not a big movie goer, so actors personal effects don’t do much for me. Amazes me what the rich spend their money on.
I like it. This is a very neat, very interesting piece of history right here. It definitely looks like its been worn, and enjoyed by Steve McQueen. ( now if only he wore that watch in Bullet….. just kidding) Thanks for the interesting write-up and history lesson Jesse. I enjoyed it.
The chase sequence in “Bullitt” never gets old for me, today’s crazy car chases in films using special effects don’t compare.
The bidding will be interesting to “watch”.
Lol. Rick from pawn stars hero, he’d be all over that, “best he can do! ” !
Brietling also claims the first automatic chronograph, with the Chronomatic.
Good catch but it’s actually the same movement. Heuer worked with Brietling and Hamilton to create the Caliber 11. So you can find it under each brand. Just look for the crown on the left hand side.
Holy Moly! BF is in the jewelry store business now?
It’s a drawer find!
We have featured a few watches in the past: https://barnfinds.com/tag/watches/
Steve who?
If you are going to buy a watch like this, an old one is what you want. The money will be stupid, though, and who cares if Steve McQueen wore it? I like the design, but it still isn’t worth any more than what it was the day it was made.
Anybody who buys it will be scared to wear it for fear of damaging their “investment”. If you have money coming out of you every time you sweat, by all means buy it. But from what I learned recently about watches, it’s best to buy a knock-off. ;-)
I have a fondness for Heuer because, thanks to Bob Tullius, they were a sponsor of the Gray Ghost in the 1971 Trans-Am series.
The only thing I knew related to this topic before this discussion was that the first automatic self-winding watch was produced by Breguet in 1776.
One caution about owning any of the mid to high-end chronographs: plan on spending about $2,500 every 5 years for a major service.
My watch expert friend told me the following:
First public announcement and prototype presentation of a self-winding chronograph was by Zenith, on January 10, 1969.
Heuer’s movement was developed by a Swiss Consortium that collaborated to develop an automatic chronograph movement. Participants were
Heuer-Leonidas, Breitling, Hamilton-Buren, and Dubois-Depraz. The design is known as the Caliber 11, which mounted a chronograph module atop a base automatic movement with a microrotor. The consortium presented the movement and initial watches on March 3, 1969, at simultaneous press events in Geneva and New York.
Earliest mass production and domestic commercial release was by Seiko, with watches in Japanese stores by May 21, 1969 (since production began in late 1968, they have a legit claim on the first production ones).
First broad international commercial availability: Chronomatic consortium, July–August 1969.
Service should be closer to a grand but just like an old car there’s ongoing maintenance.
I have a 1957 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Daydate my son bought me when I retired.
Yes, yes, and yes on more automotive memorabilia! The vintage vehicle hobby is so much more than just about the vehicles themselves, as most of us know by looking around at the “stuff” we collect. Excellent one, Jesse!
These are more valuable than gold. It will go unbelievably high at auction!