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.
Same here. Love the music score in the beginning before the chase scene really gets going. I pull it up on YouTube from time to time.
The bidding will be interesting to “watch”.
Lol. Rick from pawn stars hero, he’d be all over that, “best he can do! ” !
“$100”
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.
You should’ve been an MLB pro, Jesse, the way you fielded this clear out of left field. As someone who appreciates a good time piece for the same reasons BF readers appreciate a finely crafted machine this was one of the best.
I’ve had a watch on my wrist since high school class of 71′ and for my retirement my one boy who is big into watches bought me a 1957 Rolex Perpetual Daydate off a old man who was wearing it in a Scottsdale jewelry store.$1,500 The old timer said he paid $ 300.00 for it new.Steve McQueens Rolex Daytona sold for millions years ago I believe.
You’re probably thinking of Paul Newman’s Daytona that was over $17 million with buyers premium.
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?
OK, you, get OUT!
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.
The Ferrari of wristwatches? My watch cost $30, and keeps perfect time.
Tag Heuer watches generally make Rolex look like the Chevy Chevette of watches
I have a 1957 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Daydate my son bought me when I retired.
Isn’t it hater.
Again ?
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!
My cell phone says it’s 1:21pm.
No extra charge.
I did call Steve McQueen on it and probably the president and the Japanese embassy for provenance.
Serious inquiries only.
It’s just ironic because a lot of people think we are dumb for being into old cars but here we are making fun of old watches. They really aren’t that different guys…
Ever drive a watch Mortensen?
Nope. Have you ever worn a car?
Jesse,
I almost did.Had a girl in a Ford Escort run a stop light.
Fortuanatly I was there to stop her.
couldnt listen to the vid.
My weak stomach began
to turn w/the BS’n hype. I’m
not one for provenance (But…
but this car won @ Xxx !! ”; “My dear
chap, remember that Queen X sat in this
very chair in her own boudoir !!”) as much
as collector relatives tried to convince me.
It’s still an ol chair. It’s still a ‘70s watch. Throw
me in with the same group as DA above?).
I’m the same with much (very few outside this). One might be real estate, tho. Take an acre of NYC (say Williamsburg) v an acre of Laramie, WY (view to Rockies)
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=rocky+mnts+view+from+Laramie&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#sv=CAMSWBozKhFpYy1WVEIyT19oSHFJSnl6TTIOVlRCMk9faEhxSUp5ek06DkItZkRrdkQzeGJYd05NIAQqGwoEc3ZpbRIRaWMtVlRCMk9faEhxSUp5ek0YATABOAAYByDGsbJrOgA
gimmie the view (not rental/lease income). So I guess thats a poor analogy.
Cool item. Reminds me of Seinfeld when George bought “Jon Voight’s” car. Instead it was John Voight.
Who cares? It’s ugly, too.
You’re may be ugly as well. However, I am certain that there are some people that love you despite that….Markets are a funny thing, right?
I have owned one of these for the last 25 years. It is a wonderful piece of art in my view, and I appreciate BF putting up neat things like this. Would I pay for a celeb’s watch? No. But i like it a lot!
best,
bt
I just dont get it. I’m born in 1975 and I understand Steve McQueen was in some legendary movies like Bullit, the Great Escape and the Blob- which was filmed where i live in Phoenixville, pa., but i don’t see him as the “King of Cool” nor wearing his watch would not make someone cool either. Why? Cause he did his own stunts? Well so did Jackie Chen.
Yes Jackie Chen and Steve McQueen are carbon copy of each other so that makes it impossible for Steve McQueen to be “King of Cool”. Believe it has more to do then doing your own stunts.
….sorry, im still not convinced.
Maybe the King Of Cool moniker is due to McQueen tending to play losers, not always the typical leading man hero always win, roles?
Never got into racing at all but always was a big Steve McQueen fan. Even still, I’m not the type to worship at the alter of previous stars worn or used bobbles. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there with much more money than brains who will pay a fortune for it.
On Breaking Bad Jesse gave Walt this same watch. The most recent of this model sells for $11,500, but of course Steve McQueen hasn’t worn it. I’m sure someone rich collectors will bid this up to a ridiculous price.
I’ve owned two Tags in my life, both given to me as birthday presents. One in 2008, the other in 2017. I’ve loved both of them, but the more recent one is a far better watch, in part because it’s self winding, and it’s a chronograph with day and date. I like both those features in a watch.
Wow, this thing really brought out the “boo birds”.
Not quite sure why all the negativity. Because of the McQueen connection, it could easily be considered “automotive memorabilia” and as far as watches go, it’s a stunner.
You have someone or somebody that either really likes you, or has more money than they know what to do with.
There is another watch that was claimed to be McQueen’s screen worn watch. It was sold in an auction with another of Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytonas.
https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/steve-mcqueens-heuer-monaco-to-be-auctioned-at-phillips-1234577389/
There were a couple used for the movie.
The one in the referenced article claims it was the only one worn while filming.
“And while six blue-dial Monacos were delivered to the set for the film, Alltounian’s watch was the only one McQueen wore while filming.”
I was gonna go to the auction and bid high, but the Rolex I bought from the guy at the gas station so he could get home stopped working and I was late.
Was he selling out of an old Dodge van?
Sounds legit to me.
So, there is a backstory to these watches.
The Heuer fellow convinced MCQueen to wear this watch as it was recently released, nobody had one, etc. McQueen agreed, and wore it for a while while filming Lemans. But, then noticed that several others on the crew had the same watch. Turns out that the Heuer dude had pimped out a half dozen or so of these, and McQ was pissed and didn’t wear it again.
The watch did not sell well. Not at all. The first and only manufacturing run in 1969 just gathered dust on retail shelves. Eventually, Heuer was forced to accept retailer returns, and they warehoused the watches for ever, until they re released them in 1997. But they were re released without any service, and they all ended up back at TAG because they were basically gummed up and needed a proper servicing (ask me how I know!). Once serviced, they were just fine
best
bt
It sold for $640,000 today!