I believe the phrase goes, “heroes get remembered, but legends never die”, and that proves especially true for American actor Steve McQueen, whose roles on the big screen shaped him into both a movie star and style icon for years to come. His legacy lives on through cult classics like the 1971 film Le Mans, directed by Lee H. Katzin depicts the renowned and grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Even more recognizable than the man himself is the wristwatch that he made famous, the TAG Heuer Monaco, worn on screen while behind the wheel of the Gulf Racing Porsche 917K (chassis 917-022).
Offering watch collectors the opportunity of a lifetime, Sotheby’s Watches is proud to showcase an actual Steve McQueen screen-worn Heuer Monaco (reference 1133B) as part of its upcoming ‘Important Watches’ auction event in NYC on June 15th. 
Estimated between $500,000 and $1,000,000, this specific Heuer Monaco belonged to the Property Master for Le Mans, Don Nunley, who kept the watch in his personal collection before it was acquired by a private collector on April 24th, 2008. This watch carries the kind of character you can’t replicate. It’s the result of time, use, and history rather than restoration. The case shows honest wear throughout, including a small dent near seven o’clock, subtle reminders of a life lived rather than preserved, while still retaining its original shape. The real story, though, is on the dial. Its deep blue tone remains striking, but it’s the aging that stands out most, now softened into a warm cream, almost golden-orange patina that vintage collectors dream of.
The sale of the watch comes accompanied by a lockbox labeled “1970 LE MANS”, containing over 400 documents from the archive of Don Nunley, as well as over 200 photographic reproductions from the same archive. A sworn and signed affidavit by Don Nunley, dated September 9th, 2016, attests that the watch was “worn by Steve McQueen most often throughout the film and on set,” together with a signed letter from Don Nunley dated May 21st, 2009. Stay tuned into duPont REGISTRY for auction results on Sotheby’s ‘Important Watches’ NYC auction featuring this Le Mans Steve McQueen screen-worn Heuer Monaco.
Source: Sotheby's
