If you need a new timepiece, Steve McQueen’s Rolex Submariner would make a nice father’s day gift. The only watch Steve had engraved, he gave it to his stunt double after decades of working together. Stuntman Loren Janes worked with McQueen for 26 years, taking on roles in “The Towering Inferno”, Papillon, The Thomas Crown Affair, and of course, Bullitt. Of Steve’s 27 films, Loren took his place in 19 of them. So the back of this watch says: “TO LOREN, THE BEST DAMN STUNTMAN IN THE WORLD- STEVE”
Staying friends to the very end, Loren stayed in contact as Steve went to Mexico in search of a cure for his mesothelioma. Loren lost his battle with Alzheimer’s last year, so his son decided to have the watch restored by Rolex. After their home was destroyed in the 2016 California wildfires, Rolex decided to leave a trace of soot on the inside of the clasp. This shows the durability of their designs and offers a reminder of the tragic fire that destroyed Loren’s home along with all his film memorabilia. Shortly before his death, Loren wrote a letter attesting to the authenticity, and it is accompanied by a detailed history from Rolex USA.
Phillips is expecting the watch fetch an estimated $300,000 to $600,000.
To learn more about this rare opportunity, click the link below for all the details from Phillips Auction House. Stay with us for all your celebrity automobilia.
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