Steve McQueen's Heuer Monaco Watch Review
Tuesday - 14 August 2012
A Heuer Monaco worn by Steve McQueen in the movie 'Le Mans' sold at auction for $799,500 - the highest price ever paid for a Heuer timepiece.
The watch, which was worn by McQueen for the photography and promotional shots for the film, was sold at the 'Profiles In Hollywood' auction on July 31st 2012 for a hammer price of $650,000, plus a 23% premium of $149,500. It is believed to be the highest price paid for a Hollywood watch. A sticker on the case back displays the original price as $220.
Three other Heuer Monaco timepieces were worn by McQueen for 'Le Mans': one is in the TAG Heuer museum in Switzerland, and another is in private hands following an auction in 2009. Details of the final watch are currently unknown.
The watch, which was worn by McQueen for the photography and promotional shots for the film, was sold at the 'Profiles In Hollywood' auction on July 31st 2012 for a hammer price of $650,000, plus a 23% premium of $149,500. It is believed to be the highest price paid for a Hollywood watch. A sticker on the case back displays the original price as $220.
Three other Heuer Monaco timepieces were worn by McQueen for 'Le Mans': one is in the TAG Heuer museum in Switzerland, and another is in private hands following an auction in 2009. Details of the final watch are currently unknown.
McQueen selected the Monaco himself after a variety of Heuer chronographs were delivered to the 'Le Mans' film set in 1970. His character, Michael Delaney, is seen wearing the watch in a number of the film's scenes and promotional materials.
The timepiece was sold in excellent condition, with the original manual of operation containing details that the watch was originally sold to '24 h at Le Mans 1970'. It was presented in a red presentation box displaying the Heuer logo and a checkered flag motif.
