Two Hollywood legends, two equally iconic watches, and only one auction. Things are about to get expensive, so hold onto your butts, as we take a look at Steve McQueen’s Original Heuer Monaco and Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona, set for auction at Phillips flagship watch auction RACING PULSE in New York. It was worn by Steve McQueen during the filming of Le Mans in 1971. Needing the perfect timepiece for such an incredible film, the Heuer Monaco timepiece was integral to McQueen’s portrayal of professional race car driver Michael Delaney. Fast forward to 2020, that same watch is now set to be auctioned off. Wrapped around his wrist as he tore down the infamous Mulsanne straight in a Porsche 917 at almost 200 mph, the original Heuer Monaco could be yours.
Initially meant for McQueen’s son; instead, it was handed down to the film’s chief mechanic, Haig Altounian. Despite his protest, McQueen bestowed the now timeless gift to Altounian, as a thank you for keeping him alive during filming. Revealing the inscription on the case back: To Haig Le Mans 1970, McQueen said it was too late to decline the offer, now that it had Altounian’s name on it. Though there were precisely six watches produced for the film, McQueen’s only one during filming was the one given to Altounian. It would take Altounian a few years before he truly understood the value of what he had just received. Wearing it himself for a little while longer, he would eventually stash it away inside a safety deposit box, where it would remain for close to 50 years. Scheduled to be sold at the Phillips Racing Pulse auction in New York on 12 December, the Steve McQueen Tag Heuer Monaco will sit alongside the Paul Newman Rolex “Big Red” Daytona. But how much will these priceless items go for? Where might they start the bidding? Even they don’t know yet. Given this is such an iconic piece of history, who knows how high the bidding will go for the 1969 Tag Heuer Monaco ref. 1113. “The Heuer Monaco will always be associated with the glamour and thrill of auto racing,” Phillips’ Head of Watches, Americas Paul Boutros said in a statement.” Its incredible provenance, remarkable state of preservation, and adrenaline-fueled history make it an ultimate trophy watch for the connoisseur.”
Inextricably linked to the actor’s name, the “Big Red” Daytona Ref. 6263 owned by Paul Newman was his go-to watch. On offer with its original bold black dial and a distinctive Daytona logo at six o’clock, the watch includes an engraved inscription on the case back from Newman’s wife: “Drive slowly Joanne.” A part of his everyday carry, its distinctive style was synonymous with the man before it was passed onto his daughter following his death. While the Daytona is not as coveted as it Le Man’s cousin, it’s still sure to fetch a pretty penny. “Throughout his lifetime, Paul Newman was photographed wearing a small handful of Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watches,” said Phillips’ Head of Watches, Americas Paul Boutros in a statement. “Without any doubt, it is this association with Paul Newman that has led to the Rolex Daytona being universally regarded as possibly the world’s most sought-after wristwatch. Of these, the watch he owned and wore the longest is the present ‘Big Red’ Daytona Ref. 6263.”
Two Hollywood legends, two equally iconic watches, and only one auction. Things are about to get expensive, so hold onto your butts, as we take a look at Steve McQueen’s Original Heuer Monaco and Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona, set for auction at Phillips flagship watch auction RACING PULSE in New York. It was worn by Steve McQueen during the filming of Le Mans in 1971. Needing the perfect timepiece for such an incredible film, the Heuer Monaco timepiece was integral to McQueen’s portrayal of professional race car driver Michael Delaney. Fast forward to 2020, that same watch is now set to be auctioned off. Wrapped around his wrist as he tore down the infamous Mulsanne straight in a Porsche 917 at almost 200 mph, the original Heuer Monaco could be yours.
Initially meant for McQueen’s son; instead, it was handed down to the film’s chief mechanic, Haig Altounian. Despite his protest, McQueen bestowed the now timeless gift to Altounian, as a thank you for keeping him alive during filming. Revealing the inscription on the case back: To Haig Le Mans 1970, McQueen said it was too late to decline the offer, now that it had Altounian’s name on it. Though there were precisely six watches produced for the film, McQueen’s only one during filming was the one given to Altounian. It would take Altounian a few years before he truly understood the value of what he had just received. Wearing it himself for a little while longer, he would eventually stash it away inside a safety deposit box, where it would remain for close to 50 years. Scheduled to be sold at the Phillips Racing Pulse auction in New York on 12 December, the Steve McQueen Tag Heuer Monaco will sit alongside the Paul Newman Rolex “Big Red” Daytona. But how much will these priceless items go for? Where might they start the bidding? Even they don’t know yet. Given this is such an iconic piece of history, who knows how high the bidding will go for the 1969 Tag Heuer Monaco ref. 1113. “The Heuer Monaco will always be associated with the glamour and thrill of auto racing,” Phillips’ Head of Watches, Americas Paul Boutros said in a statement.” Its incredible provenance, remarkable state of preservation, and adrenaline-fueled history make it an ultimate trophy watch for the connoisseur.”
Inextricably linked to the actor’s name, the “Big Red” Daytona Ref. 6263 owned by Paul Newman was his go-to watch. On offer with its original bold black dial and a distinctive Daytona logo at six o’clock, the watch includes an engraved inscription on the case back from Newman’s wife: “Drive slowly Joanne.” A part of his everyday carry, its distinctive style was synonymous with the man before it was passed onto his daughter following his death. While the Daytona is not as coveted as it Le Man’s cousin, it’s still sure to fetch a pretty penny. “Throughout his lifetime, Paul Newman was photographed wearing a small handful of Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watches,” said Phillips’ Head of Watches, Americas Paul Boutros in a statement. “Without any doubt, it is this association with Paul Newman that has led to the Rolex Daytona being universally regarded as possibly the world’s most sought-after wristwatch. Of these, the watch he owned and wore the longest is the present ‘Big Red’ Daytona Ref. 6263.”
Two Hollywood legends, two equally iconic watches, and only one auction. Things are about to get expensive, so hold onto your butts, as we take a look at Steve McQueen’s Original Heuer Monaco and Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona, set for auction at Phillips flagship watch auction RACING PULSE in New York.
It was worn by Steve McQueen during the filming of Le Mans in 1971. Needing the perfect timepiece for such an incredible film, the Heuer Monaco timepiece was integral to McQueen’s portrayal of professional race car driver Michael Delaney. Fast forward to 2020, that same watch is now set to be auctioned off.
Wrapped around his wrist as he tore down the infamous Mulsanne straight in a Porsche 917 at almost 200 mph, the original Heuer Monaco could be yours.
Initially meant for McQueen’s son; instead, it was handed down to the film’s chief mechanic, Haig Altounian. Despite his protest, McQueen bestowed the now timeless gift to Altounian, as a thank you for keeping him alive during filming. Revealing the inscription on the case back: To Haig Le Mans 1970, McQueen said it was too late to decline the offer, now that it had Altounian’s name on it.
Though there were precisely six watches produced for the film, McQueen’s only one during filming was the one given to Altounian. It would take Altounian a few years before he truly understood the value of what he had just received. Wearing it himself for a little while longer, he would eventually stash it away inside a safety deposit box, where it would remain for close to 50 years.
Scheduled to be sold at the Phillips Racing Pulse auction in New York on 12 December, the Steve McQueen Tag Heuer Monaco will sit alongside the Paul Newman Rolex “Big Red” Daytona.
But how much will these priceless items go for? Where might they start the bidding? Even they don’t know yet. Given this is such an iconic piece of history, who knows how high the bidding will go for the 1969 Tag Heuer Monaco ref. 1113.
“The Heuer Monaco will always be associated with the glamour and thrill of auto racing,” Phillips’ Head of Watches, Americas Paul Boutros said in a statement.” Its incredible provenance, remarkable state of preservation, and adrenaline-fueled history make it an ultimate trophy watch for the connoisseur.”
Inextricably linked to the actor’s name, the “Big Red” Daytona Ref. 6263 owned by Paul Newman was his go-to watch. On offer with its original bold black dial and a distinctive Daytona logo at six o’clock, the watch includes an engraved inscription on the case back from Newman’s wife: “Drive slowly Joanne.”
A part of his everyday carry, its distinctive style was synonymous with the man before it was passed onto his daughter following his death. While the Daytona is not as coveted as it Le Man’s cousin, it’s still sure to fetch a pretty penny.
“Throughout his lifetime, Paul Newman was photographed wearing a small handful of Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watches,” said Phillips’ Head of Watches, Americas Paul Boutros in a statement. “Without any doubt, it is this association with Paul Newman that has led to the Rolex Daytona being universally regarded as possibly the world’s most sought-after wristwatch. Of these, the watch he owned and wore the longest is the present ‘Big Red’ Daytona Ref. 6263.”
