In 1970, Jack Heuer, the visionary behind the TAG Heuer brand, sent four of his new Monaco watches to the set of Steve McQueen’s iconic film Le Mans. Of the four watches, one stands out as the most coveted. Worn by McQueen himself, this watch became a symbol of both the actor’s legendary status and the car racing world. Now, over five decades later, the final Monaco watch worn by McQueen is being made available for public auction, allowing collectors and enthusiasts alike a chance to own a piece of cinematic and automotive history.
The Journey of McQueen’s Monaco
McQueen’s Monaco, with its bold blue dial and square case, has long been tied to the actor’s portrayal of a race car driver in Le Mans. McQueen wore this particular model while performing high-speed stunts, solidifying the watch’s connection to motorsports. The first Monaco worn by McQueen was given to his personal mechanic, Haig Alltounian, and later sold for a record-breaking $2.2 million in 2020.
Two of the other Monaco watches were eventually added to TAG Heuer’s museum collection, after changing hands in several auctions. One sold for $87,600 in 2009, while another fetched $799,500 in 2012. However, the fourth Monaco—wearing traces of McQueen’s personal history—is the last to be auctioned, with an expected price tag ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.
A Watch with Racing Legacy
What makes this watch particularly valuable is not just its association with McQueen but also the racing legacy it carries. After McQueen wore the watch, it was sold to Bevan Weston, a mechanic who had worked on Le Mans. Weston, having worked with McLaren and participated in the 1971 Indy 500, owned the watch for nearly 40 years. After it changed hands in 2010, it has remained a private collector’s prized possession—until now.
This Monaco watch is not only a testament to McQueen’s lasting influence on pop culture but also holds significant historical value. “It’s the last of the four watches on a strap to come into play,” noted Nicholas Biebuyck, TAG Heuer’s heritage director. As such, this auction is likely to attract high bids from serious collectors, with some considering it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Cultural Impact of McQueen’s Monaco
Even before McQueen wore it in Le Mans, the Monaco watch was groundbreaking. Released in 1969, it was one of the first automatic chronographs and featured a futuristic square design—a stark contrast to traditional round watches. While initially misunderstood by the masses, the Monaco became a cultural icon, sought after by style-conscious figures like Stanley Kubrick and Sammy Davis Jr. Today, it remains a potent symbol of innovation and craftsmanship.
The Monaco’s legacy is as much about storytelling as it is about its technical achievements. As watch collectors increasingly look for timepieces with rich histories, the Monaco stands as an enduring symbol of both the artistry of watchmaking and the thrill of motorsports. This particular auction reflects a growing trend in the watch world: the shift from merely valuing pristine condition to appreciating the stories that accompany each piece.
The Final Opportunity
The auction of this Monaco watch is more than just a sale of a luxury timepiece; it’s a chance to own a piece of history. As Geoff Hess, Sotheby’s global head of watches, put it: “This sale represents the epitome of that notion” of storytelling in watch collecting. Buyers are no longer simply acquiring a watch for its condition but for the history it represents.
For collectors, this is the moment to acquire one of the most iconic watches in history. As the watch makes its debut at a public exhibition during Monterey Car Week, it’s clear that its legacy will only continue to grow, solidifying its place in both watch and motorsport history.
This auction is more than just a sale—it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of Steve McQueen and the Monaco watch, forever linked by the legendary film Le Mans and the actor’s indelible impact on both cinema and racing.