Heuer Monaco Ref. 1133B (Steve McQueen) Value & Price Guide

Steve McQueen wore a lot of watches. But only one became synonymous with his name. During the filming of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971, McQueen strapped a blue-dialed Heuer Monaco to his wrist as racing driver Michael Delaney. The watch appeared in dozens of scenes, always visible, its unusual square case catching light in ways round watches couldn't. McQueen reportedly chose the Monaco himself from a selection offered by the film's prop department. He liked that it looked different. That choice turned a commercially unsuccessful watch into one of the most desired chronographs in collecting history.

The Monaco was already groundbreaking before Hollywood got involved. Introduced at the Basel Watch Fair in March 1969, it was the world's first automatic chronograph with a square, water-resistant case. The movement inside, Calibre 11, was developed jointly by Heuer, Breitling, Hamilton-Buren, and Dubois-Depraz.

Quick Value Summary

• Item: Heuer Monaco Ref. 1133B (blue dial, "Steve McQueen")

• Year: 1969-1975

• Category: Watches

• Condition Range:

  • Fair (needs service, case wear): $15,000 - $25,000
  • Good (running, moderate wear): $25,000 - $50,000
  • Very Good (clean dial, light wear): $50,000 - $90,000
  • Excellent (original dial, minimal wear): $90,000 - $150,000
  • Exceptional (box, papers, original): $150,000 - $250,000+

• Record Sale: McQueen's personal Monaco sold for $2.2 million at Phillips in 2020

• Rarity: Rare. Estimated 5,000 to 8,000 total across all Monaco variants

The Story

Jack Heuer named the watch after the Monaco Grand Prix. He chose a square case because it was different from everything on the market. Watchmakers had avoided square water-resistant cases because sealing corners was technically difficult. Heuer engineers solved this with monocoque case construction where the movement loaded through the crystal opening.

When the Monaco launched, it wasn't a hit. The square shape was polarizing. Many dealers refused to stock it. Then Le Mans came along. The film itself earned mixed reviews, but photographs of McQueen in his racing suit with the blue Monaco on his wrist became some of the most reproduced images in automotive and watch culture.

Production ended around 1975. Heuer merged with TAG in 1985. The company revived the Monaco name in 1998, but collectors sharply distinguish between original Heuer Monacos and modern TAG Heuer reissues.

How to Identify It

• Case: Square stainless steel, approximately 40mm across

• Dial: Blue metallic with two silver subdials. "HEUER" above center, "Monaco" below

• Crown Position: LEFT side at 9 o'clock (distinctive to original Cal. 11 Monacos)

• Movement: Calibre 11 automatic chronograph

• Case Back: Stamped with reference number 1133 and serial number

Common Confusions:

• Ref. 1533B (later variant) has crown on the RIGHT side. Less valuable

• Modern TAG Heuer Monaco reissues retail for $5,000-$8,000. Not vintage collectibles

• Some vintage Monacos have refinished dials. Original dials command significant premiums

Value by Condition

Fair - $15,000 to $25,000 Runs but may need service. Case shows significant wear, possible corner dents. Dial may show moisture damage or be a replacement.

Good - $25,000 to $50,000 Running and keeping reasonable time. Moderate case wear. Original but aging dial. Entry point for a wearable vintage Monaco.

Very Good - $50,000 to $90,000 Clean original dial with even aging. Case sharp with light wear. All components original and correct.

Excellent - $90,000 to $150,000 Everything original. Dial clean with no moisture damage. Case retains factory finish. Crown, pushers, crystal all period-correct.

Exceptional - $150,000 to $250,000+ Full set with original box and papers. Barely worn. Museum-quality piece.

Authentication and Fakes

• Dial Authenticity: The single most important factor. Original blue dials have specific text formatting detectable under magnification

• Serial Numbers: Should be consistent with known Heuer production records. OnTheDash.com maintains databases

• Movement Verification: Cal. 11 should have correct finishing, markings, and components

• Franken-Watches: Assembled from parts of multiple genuine Monacos. Each part may be authentic but the combination incorrect

Professional authentication by a vintage Heuer specialist is essential above $20,000.

Where to Sell

• Phillips Watches: Sold McQueen's Monaco for $2.2 million. Handles highest-end vintage chronographs

• Christie's / Sotheby's: Major houses with dedicated watch departments

• Hodinkee Shop / Analog Shift: Respected vintage watch dealers

• Chrono24: Largest online watch marketplace

Estimated Selling Costs:

• Auction commission: 10% to 15%

• Authentication: $500 to $1,500

• Insurance and shipping: $100 to $500

Not sure about the condition of yours? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for a quick AI-powered estimate.

Explore More

The Heuer Monaco ref. 1133B is a watch that failed commercially, appeared in a film that underperformed, and somehow became one of the most coveted chronographs on the planet. That's the McQueen effect: cool doesn't follow sales numbers. Browse all Watches items ->

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