The Last Steve McQueen Heuer Monaco From Le Mans Is Coming Up For Sale At Sotheby’s
The final Heuer Monaco reference 1133B from the film Le Mans has been authenticated through extensive research and primary documentation, confirming its provenance as the watch most frequently worn by Steve McQueen during production. A notarized provenance letter, invoices, and correspondence reveal that a total of twenty chronographs were sent to the set in 1970, with nine Monacos among them, and that the particular piece now offered at Sotheby’s (case 159’381) was retained by property master Don Nunley after filming and later sold to a private collector. Its history includes a clandestine border crossing, a fine for the courier, and a series of token reimbursements that later caused tension with McQueen. When the watch appears at the upcoming Sotheby’s New York auction on June 15, 2026, it is expected to attract a price well above its current estimate of $500,000–$1,000,000, reflecting its unique documentation, cultural significance, and the heightened interest in Formula 1 and TAG Heuer’s role as the sport’s official timekeeper. The sale follows a previous Monaco with Le Mans provenance that fetched around $1.4 million in December 2024, underscoring the watch’s status as a rare and highly coveted collector’s item.
Buying Time Analysis: This story is significant because it documents the definitive provenance of the last Heuer Monaco watch worn by Steve McQueen in Le Mans, highlighting its unique historical, cultural, and technical heritage, which dramatically increases its collectible value and underscores the lasting impact of McQueen’s legacy on watchmaking and motorsport.
