Steve McQueen Le Mans Wristwatch Auctioned in LA

[TymerDC]

This was just announced in my NAWCC News Letter and thought I would share it here.

STEVE McQUEEN MOVIE PROP WRISTWATCH AUCTIONED IN LOS ANGELES FOR $799,500
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Photo: Forbes​

A wristwatch worn by Steve McQueen in the 1971 film Le Mans has just fetched $799,500 at an auction of movie memorabilia in Los Angeles. The watch was featured during the July 2012 Profiles In History "Hollywood Auction." Originally estimated to sell at around $300,000, the final hammer price more than doubled that number. Why is that watch so highly valued?

World renowned actor Steve McQueen was a racer, and his choice of wristwatch for the film is a matter of legend. Tag Heuer (or "Heuer," as it was known back then before merging with Tag) released the Monaco series automatic chronograph watch shortly before the movie began filming. Jack Heuer represented the brand and brought a selection of possible watches to the film set in France, where McQueen personally chose the Monaco-a rather curious square design (and among the first automatic mechanical chronograph watches ever released commercially)-as his character's timepiece.

The watch's dark blue dial (with red and silver detailing) very much evokes the style of the era. The iconic Monaco watch is still produced today and remains one of Tag Heuer's most popular sport timepieces. The watch being auctioned has been owned by several collectors. The original prop master from the film reports that this watch was one of at least two Monaco "hero" watches worn by McQueen during the film shooting; "hero" or "beauty" props are treated exceedingly well and are specifically kept flawless for purposes of photographic continuity, whereas non-"hero" props are treated much less carefully.

 

[TerryMcIntosh]

I saw this post earlier and it stuck in my craw for some reason -- I don't even know why. To think that someone out there with more than a few coins in their pocket thought that it was a good idea to drop $800,000 (or over a cool million if that amount doesn't include the buyer's premium) on a watch, and a watch from a movie that I don't recall being aware of until I looked it up today at that, disturbs me for a whole laundry list of reasons. Then again it wasn't my money that was blown, so my opinion on the matter is after the fact and irrelevant, but... yeah. :confused

 

[AJK001]

I know I would never pay that much for a watch no matter who wore it.

I guess I'm showing my age though because along with James Garner's Grand Prix in the 1960's, Le Mans is considered one of the best Racing movies ever made. I'm surprised that some people have never heard of it before.

 

[ob1al]

Steve McQueen is HIGHLY collectable at the moment. Lots of big fans who will pay a premium for authentic items. I don't think the movie 'Le Mans' particularly matters, it's more that it's an item worn on screen by him.

 

[GKvfx]

Watches are highly collectable. Add to it the vintage nature and scarcity of this particular watch, AND the movie/Steve McQueen connection, and quite frankly, it's not that surprising. Get a couple of watch guys (not prop guys) that have deep pockets and you have yourselves a bidding war.

Gene

 

[palooka]

Tag Heuer have based their advertising campaign for the Monaco watch around the image of Steve McQueen for many years.

For a collector, or even Tag Heuer themselves (?) to get a chance to own it? Doesn't surprise me one bit it fetched this figure.

 

[TerryMcIntosh]

Interesting stuff, for sure. I had never considered that there was such a rabid base of watch/timepiece collectors out there, especially for items in that realm of price. To each their own I guess. The thought of spending over a mil for a little piece of metal with a leather strap just boggles the mind, especially considering the huge variety of items/endeavors that such a large sum could buy. =)

 

[HDPE]

I assume you've never been to Le Mans classic or The Goodwood festival of speed as a couple of exemples?

There is a whole cult dedicated to this particular movie Le Mans starring Steve Mcqueen.

Why, because the king of cool had a passion for Porsches and racing and classic car enthousiasts and collectors, consider Le Mans (and Grand Prix, as mentioned) as the greatest motor racing film made to date.
Especially Porsches enthousiasts.

It doesn't surprise me one bit that his Tag H went for that kind of money , it probably went to a multi million Porsches collector.

You should also see how much original French Le Mans theatrical movie poster go for. I know, I wanted to get one for my father at le Mans classic, and asking price was £2000. Star Wars has got nothing on it really.

I personnally know a couple of Porsches collectors, (friends of my father who himself his a fan of Mcqueen)
and the only movie they ever talk about is Le Mans and how great it was.
Pretty sure neither have ever seen SW or a Batman film.

 

[planet]

Tag makes some of the nicest Men's watches in the world . I remember seeing The movie The Recruit and thinking Colin Farrell's watch looked really cool in the movie. Found out that was a Tag . They are an expensive time piece and sort of a status piece to own . You add that with Mcqueen and you have two things driving the price .

I agree 800k is ridiculous to us but thats nothing compared to some .