YouTube
Instagram
X(Twitter)
Facebook
TikTok
*Source: https://100mcqueen.com/
"Actor's Watch" focuses on watches worn by actors in movies, television, etc.
The third theme will be about Steve McQueen , which was requested in the comments on our YouTube channel "COMMIT TV".
Thank you to "Bruce McQueen" for your comment and request!
There is no other actor better suited to the role of a "man's man" who is full of rebellious spirit and acts according to his strong beliefs than Steve McQueen.
Let's take a look at the wrist of Steve McQueen, the "King of Cool," a legendary actor who was popular not only in Hollywood but all over the world, including Japan, in the 1960s and 1970s, and who sadly passed away in 1980 after being diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 50.
A unique racing movie: "Le Mans"
The 1971 car racing film "Le Mans," produced by McQueen's production company, was based on McQueen's desire to depict "the car race itself" rather than a human drama or a love romance. In accordance with McQueen's wishes, the film makes extensive use of footage from actual races and keeps direction and acting to a minimum, making it a unique semi-documentary that is full of realism and immersion.
*Source: https://petrolicious.com/
McQueen plays a racing driver who has just returned from an accident, and drives a Porsche 917K in the striking blue and orange "Gulf Oil" livery. The film depicts a fierce battle between Porsche and Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In the film, McQueen wears a TAG Heuer (called Heuer in 1971) Monaco Chronograph on his right wrist as he drives through the tough conditions. This watch also features a vibrant blue dial and square case.
*Source: https://www.tagheuer.com/jp/ja/partnerships/heritage.html
Monaco Chronograph from "Le Mans"
In 1969, two years before the release of "Le Mans," a consortium of four companies – TAG Heuer, Breitling, Hamilton, and Dubois-Dépraz – developed the world's first automatic chronograph movement, which they named "Chromatik (Caliber 11)."
The Monaco Chronograph (Ref. 1133) was the world's first automatic chronograph equipped with the Caliber 11, and also the world's first watch with a "square waterproof case."
*Source: https://rare-watch.net/info-watch-auction-of-phillips-2020-01/
In Le Mans, McQueen wears the Monaco on his right wrist. It is said that this is because it is easier for a race car driver to check the time on his right wrist rather than on his left wrist, which is always holding the wheel (although McQueen is also left-handed).
*Source: https://www.timeandwatches.com/2020/10/heuer-monaco-worn-by-steve-mcqueen-for.html
The first Monaco model had a left-handed crown due to the structure of the Caliber 11 it was equipped with, and McQueen may have found the left-handed crown of the Monaco to be more realistic as a watch that a race car driver would wear on his right wrist.
Even today, when the company name has changed from "Heuer" to "TAG Heuer," the Monaco remains one of TAG Heuer's main collections and continues to play the role of an icon representing the manufacturer, with models bearing the McQueen name and reproductions of the first model being released.
In December 2020, the Monaco used in the filming of "Le Mans" was put up for auction at Phillips . After filming, the Monaco (one of the six used in the filming) given by McQueen to Haig Altonian, who was in charge of mechanics and safety management on-site, sold for a whopping $2,208,000 (approximately 229.45 million yen) ! This is said to be the highest price ever paid for a Heuer.
McQueen and Rolex
Next, in the 1974 classic disaster movie "The Towering Inferno," which depicts a fire accident in a high-rise building, McQueen plays the fire chief who wears a Rolex Submariner Ref. 5512 .
The Ref. 5512 is the world's first diver's watch that is both durable and waterproof, and is capable of withstanding water spraying in the extreme environment of a fire scene. It is also the first Submariner to feature a crown guard , making it a very realistic choice.
There are many photographs of McQueen wearing the Submariner Ref. 5512, both in his private life and behind-the-scenes during the filming of other movies, which suggests that it was a favorite watch of his.
*Source: https://www.jaztime.com/blog/steve-mcqueen-rolex/
In addition, the Explorer II Reference 1655 is sometimes nicknamed "Steve McQueen," which is apparently due to McQueen being featured in advertisements for the Explorer II.
Both the Submariner and the Explorer II are watches that exude a sense of tough masculinity that can withstand harsh environments, which I think further highlights McQueen's masculinity and the realism of the roles he plays.
This is a good example of how a person and a watch, which give off the same scent, enhance each other's presence and make them shine .
summary
Although it has been 40 years since his death, McQueen's popularity in the watch world shows no sign of waning.
There are always customers who want the same Monaco or Submariner models that McQueen wore . Why? Because every man who watches McQueen's movies admires him and wants to be like him. 
When it comes to choosing a watch, we tend to think about its fashionability or value as an investment, but if you choose one from the perspective of "a watch that will help me become (or get closer to) the person I admire," you may come across your "one of a kind" that is completely different from anything you've seen before.
How do you enjoy such a watch?