108th Auction

2023/5/20

Lot 226

Heuer
Monaco Steve McQueen

A legendary vintage "cult" wristwatch with chronograph and date

Sold

estimated
6.50010.000 €
Price realized
7.500 €
specific features
Case
Steel, push back, original folded Heuer steel bracelet, bracelet length 130 mm, total length 175 mm.
Dial
Navy blue.
Movement
Automatic.
Case no.251086
Ref.1133B
Diam.40 x 45 mm
Circa1974
Ctry.Switzerland


The Heuer "Monaco" was the first square automatic wrist chronograph worldwide. It took its name from the extremely demanding Grand Prix Circuit de Monaco and became an instant cult icon when actor and racing driver Steve McQueen wore the Heuer "Monaco" during the making of the movie "Le Mans" in 1971. According to Jack Heuer, company director at the time, a total of only 4,500 of the Heuer Monaco chronographs were produced from 1969 to 1974.
The large rectangular steel case features canted straight lugs holding the original folded Heuer steel bracelet. The inscription "Tool No. 33" on the back refers to the purpose-built tool for opening the Monocoque case.
The plexiglass dome protects the navy blue dial with applied, rectangular steel indexes; the brushed steel hands with luminous inserts and red accents feature triangular red tips; the central seconds hand is bright orange. The dial has two white auxiliary dials for the 30-minute and 12-hour counter and a window for the date displayed on silver ground.
This Heuer "Monaco" is in good original condition with small, honest traces of use on the case and dial - it will fit perfectly in any discerning collection of vintage chronograph watches.