Heuer Monaco watches
The iconic Heuer Monaco, one of the most important historical pieces created by the Heuer watch manufacture (the abbreviation TAG was added in 1985), will be the undoubted favorite of the auction. The fame of this chronograph in an unusual square case with a blue dial was brought by filming: the watch appeared in the frame of the movie "Le Mans" in 1971 on the wrist of the racer Steve McQueen. It is known that immediately after the filming of the film, McQueen presented this watch to his personal mechanic Haig Oltounian in gratitude for his help with the work in the film. This is evidenced by the personal engraving “To Haig Le Mans 1970” on the case back. For exactly 50 years, this unique watch was owned by the sole owner, Haig Oltunian, who put it up for sale. The specimen is of great interest, primarily for collectors.
“The brand's museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds already has several important Monaco models, including the 1969 Monaco Chronomatic with the very first Caliber 11 movement,” comments Catherine Eberle-Deveaux, head of heritage at TAG Heuer.
A watch from the wrist of Steve McQueen has the potential to become the most expensive TAG Heuer watch ever sold at auction.
1 of 6 Steve McQueen on the set of Le Mans, with Haig Altunian seated across one right © Bernard Cahier - Getty Images Monaco watch, Heuer. Estimate on request © Press Service Monaco Watches, Heuer. Estimate on request © press service Monaco watches, Heuer. Estimate on request © Press Service Le Mans movie poster, 1971 © BFA Alamy Stock Photo Monaco watch, Heuer. Estimate on request © press service
Rolex Oyster Cosmograph Daytona "Big Red"
The unconditional "blue chip" of the current trading session is the legendary Rolex Daytona "Big Red" (Ref. 6263), which belonged to the actor and race car driver Paul Newman. The epithet "Big Red" hints at the red "Daytona" lettering on the black dial. Three years ago, another Rolex Daytona chronograph (Ref. 6239), also from Newman's personal collection, participated in a similar auction by Phillips - its final price was a record $ 17,752,500 at that time. Curiously, both "Daytons" were a gift from the driver's wife. The first chronograph (Ref. 6239) Newman received in 1968, and the second, "Big Red", the lot of the current auction, Joan Woodward presented to her husband in 1983, on the 25th anniversary of their wedding. It was this watch that Newman wore until the end of his life, i.e. another quarter of a century, and constantly photographed in them. The blank casebacks of both models are decorated with synonymous engravings,a cautionary note (Newman was known for his addiction to high speeds): "Drive Carefully Me" on a 1968 watch, "Drive Slowly Joanne" on a 1983 watch. Estimate of both lots is conventionally determined at $ 1 million, but if in the case of Ref. 6239 it was exceeded 17 times, then such phenomenal records are not expected from "Big Red".
1 of 4 Paul Newman wearing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Big Red” © Geoffrey Hewitt Photograph Collection Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Big Red” watch. Estimate from $ 1 million © press service Cosmograph Daytona "Big Red" watch, Rolex. Estimate from $ 1 million © press service Cosmograph Daytona "Big Red" watch, Rolex. Estimate from $ 1 million © press service
Five more watch lots come from the personal collection of Sylvester Stallone. Among them is the Panerai Luminor PAM5218-201 / A watch, in which the actor starred in the movie "Daylight". The release of the tape on screens in 1996 contributed a lot to the popularity of the Officine Panerai watch brand and its reorientation from military special orders to the commercial market. The other four models are produced by the extravagant watchmaker Richard Mill: the Richard Mille RM032-TI watch co-starred with Stallone in the action movie The Expendables 3, and the RM025-01 Tourbillon Chronograph Adventure chronograph on a khaki strap is inspired by Rambo.
1 of 6 Sylvester Stallone wearing the Automatic Winding Flyback Chronograph Diver, Richard Mille © Dave J. Hogan, Getty Images. Watch Luminor "Pre-Vendôme", Panerai. Estimate $ 40-80 thousand © press service Tourbillon Chronograph Adventure watch, Richard Mille. Estimate $ 250-500 thousand © Skull watch press service, Richard Mille. Estimate $ 350-700 thousand © press service Watch Automatic Winding Flyback Chronograph Diver, Richard Mille. Estimate $ 60-120 thousand. © Press Service Yohan Blake Watches, "Beast", Richard Mille. Estimate $ 300-600 thousand © press service
All lots are presented on the auction site.>
