If you like putting large amounts of money into small places, this'll tickle your pickle - it's the actual Heuer Monaco watch worn on-screen by Steve McQueen in car-rich, dialogue-poor 1971 cinema classic, Le Mans.
In 1970, the eponymous Jack Heuer delivered a variety of his wares to Donald Nunley, prop master on the set of Le Mans in France. From his selection, McQueen chose this one for his character Michael Delaney then flashed it around in the movie and publicity shots. And you thought product placement was a new thing...
f watches are your thing, you'll already know that in 1969 Heuer released the first automatic chronograph, housing it in a then-revolutionary square waterproof case. This blue-faced effort is one of them, and it comes with the original buckled, black leather vented strap and an instruction manual containing a factory typed notation that the watch was sold to "24 h at Le Mans 1970". There's also an orange sticker on the back of the watch with the reference number 1133b (the sticker's a bit faded from wear) and a letter of authenticity from Le Mans prop master, Donald Nunley.
In 2009, McQueen's Rolex Submariner fetched $234,000 (£150,642) at auction, so no surprise that this one's starting at an eye-watering $200,000 (£128,754).
Not got the cash but hungry for Le Mans memorabilia? For a piffling $80,000 (£51,500) you can also buy the Gulf rain jacket worn in the film from the same auctioneer. You can view both items right here before the official sale on July 30.
So, if you had the money, would you buy ‘em? Or would you prefer an actual car?
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