Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Sold for a Record $2,208,000 at a Phillips Auction in 2020
Steve McQueen on the set of 'Le Mans' / Credit: Phillips
The 1960s was a period of cultural upheaval, with its impact shown throughout broader society, but also in the world of horology as well. Introduced in 1969, Heuer’s Monaco was well positioned to flourish during this incredible era.
It was one of the world’s first self-winding chronograph wristwatches, which housed the famous Chronomatic Calibre 11, the result of a collaboration with Breitling, Leonidas, Hamilton/Büren and Dubois-Dépraz in 1969. It was also the world’s first water resistant square-cased watch.
Designed by Jack Heuer, the name ‘Monaco’ was derived from the famous Formula one racetrack and was specially chosen by Steve McQueen to be worn during the filming of Le Mans in 1970.
One of the more important people on the set of Le Mans was Haig Alltounian, the Chief Mechanic for the film set, but also Steve McQueen’s personal mechanic. McQueen appreciated Haig Alltounian’s contribution so much that he decided to gift him one of the Heuer Monaco wristwatches used during filming.
According to Alltounian, when he handed him the watch, McQueen said “thank you for keeping me alive all these months.” Knowing the importance of the timepiece, Alltounian couldn’t accept it, and rather told Steve to give it to his wife or son. Steve then said this would not be possible. As when he referenced the case back, Haig’s name was already on it - inscribed “To Haig Le Mans 1970.”
Caseback of Steve McQueen's Monaco from 'Le Mans' / Credit: Monochrome Watches
Over 50 years later, the Monaco reference 1133 is a certified legend among vintage chronographs. The revolutionary aesthetic paved the way for an entirely new way of designing timepieces - large oversized dials, colourful accents, and funky new case shapes.
This same watch was worn by Steve McQueen as he reached speeds over 200 MPH in a Porsche 917 at the Mulsanne Straight. Haig had decided to only wear the watch for two years after receiving it, instead putting it in a safety deposit box where it sat for nearly 50 years.
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco ref. 1133 from ‘Le Mans’ / Credit: Phillips
The last time one of the six Heuer Monaco watches used on the set of Le Mans was offered at auction, it fetched $800,000 USD in 2012. Now less than 10 years later, in 2020, Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco ref. 1133 sold for $2,208,000 USD at a Phillips watch auction. This made it the most expensive Heuer timepiece to ever be auctioned or sold.
By : Eric Mulder