Steve McQueen’s Iconic Heuer Monaco to Hit the Auction Block as the price remains shocking to all

Steve McQueen’s Iconic Heuer Monaco to Hit the Auction Block

Steve McQueen remains one of the most enduring style icons of the 20th century, captivating fans with his effortless cool and magnetic screen presence.

Among the many aspects of his storied career, his connection to horology stands out, particularly through his role in the 1971 film *Le Mans*. In this racing epic, McQueen famously wore a Heuer Monaco, a timepiece that has since become a symbol of both his personal style and cinematic legacy.

In December, one of the original Heuer Monaco watches worn by McQueen in *Le Mans* will be up for auction at Sotheby’s, making it a significant event for watch

collectors and film enthusiasts alike. This auction piece is particularly notable given McQueen’s profound impact on the watch world.

Heuer provided 26 watches for the *Le Mans* production, including six Monaco Ref. 1133Bs. Of these, four were fitted with leather straps and worn by McQueen himself.

Although McQueen was known to wear all six watches at various times, only the leather-strap Monacos are closely linked to his personal style in the film.

The history of these leather strap Monacos is well-documented. Two of these watches are preserved in the TAG Heuer museum, purchased for $87,600 in 2009 and $799,500 in 2012. Another Monaco, gifted by McQueen to his mechanic Haig Alltounian, fetched a staggering $2.2 million at a Phillips auction in 2020, setting a record for the most expensive Heuer ever sold.

The Monaco up for auction in December has a fascinating backstory of its own. Originally owned by Bevan Weston, a mechanic who worked on *Le Mans* and later for McLaren at the 1971 Indy 500, this watch was kept by Weston for over four decades.

It was sold privately in 2010 and is now being offered publicly for the first time. With an auction estimate of $500,000 to $1,000,000, this Monaco represents a rare and valuable opportunity for collectors.

Given the significance of McQueen’s Monacos and the prices achieved by previous models, this auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime chance for collectors to acquire a piece of cinematic and horological history.

Keep a close eye on Sotheby’s New York watch auction this December, as this Steve McQueen Heuer Monaco could be the crown jewel of the event.