Steve McQueen: The Watches

(Un)Popular Opinion

Before we get into it, allow us start off by joining our friend, Jake Ehrlich to categorically denounce the further false association of the 1655 Rolex Explorer II with the name, Steve McQueen. The “King of Cool,” never wore a 1655. Jake’s gone the mile to interview his ex-wives and, Chad McQueen, his son, to confirm this fact on behalf of everyone. Therefore, anyone, labeling the 1655 with McQueen’s name, you are spreading misinformation.

End rant. Sorta.

Read more about the 1655, here.

The watch that is correctly most associated with McQueen in pop-culture, is the Heuer Monaco, which was a prop obtained for him for the 1971 passion project film, Le Mans. In an interview with quillandpad.com, Don Nunley, the prop master for Le Mans, recounts the entire tale of the challenge of finding McQueen the right wristwatch for the film, who was at the height of his career at this point after the success that was The Thomas Crown Affair and Bullitt.

Steve McQueen on the set of Le Mans wearing the Heuer Monaco, that has now become synonymous with the film and his own name, even though the watch wasn't a personal watch of his (Image: TAG Heuer)
Steve McQueen on the set of Le Mans wearing the Heuer Monaco, that has now become synonymous with the film and his own name, even though the watch wasn't a personal watch of his (Image: TAG Heuer)

Nunley recounts that it was McQueen himself who picked out the Monaco with the blue dial that has become a mental image tattooed into all of human consciousness. What’s funny and an admission of Nunley’s own, is that there wasn’t one, but in fact, six instances of the Monaco availed for Le Mans.

The first piece simply went missing and remains unaccounted for. The second piece was with McQueen for the duration of the filming of Le Mans. Nunley kept hold of the remaining four, in case he needed to replace the one with McQueen due to damage and such. One of these four was especially set aside, unused and unblemished for close-ups and PR photography.

There’s further to the anecdote that Nunley shares of the hilarious fates in later years, of the five watches that were on set.

We strongly urge you have a read of the complete interview with Nunley here, on quillandpad.com.

But the point to impress upon here, is that the Heuer Monaco wasn’t necessarily a watch of McQueen’s, rather one that was put on his right wrist — because McQueen personally wore his watch on his right wrist — for the purpose of the Le Mans film.

Early Life and McQueen’s First Timepiece

So, what were some of the watches that McQueen did own? For this we have to start at the very beginning. Terrence Stephen McQueen was born on the 24th of March 1930 in Beech Grove, Indiana. William McQueen, his father, left Julia Ann, his mother some six months after having met her. Julian Ann who was not ready for motherhood, for various reasons, left her son with her parents and while these were days in the middle of the Great Depression, her parents took Steve and moved into a farm that belonged to an uncle of Julia Ann’s, Claude (her mother’s brother). Difficult early days, no doubt, but Steve has gone on record to say that his memories of his days on the farm were good ones and that he learned a great deal from his great-uncle Claude, who seems to have been a positive influence on young Steve.

According to biographer Marshall Terrill, “A period photograph of the Thomson homestead on the outskirts of Slater, Missouri. The home was owned by Steve McQueen’s great-uncle Claude Thomson [1873–1957], a prosperous hog farmer. Over time Claude grew to love Steve like a son, filling the role of surrogate father in the absence of the real deal.” (Image Credit: The Slater Main Street News Collection / Courtesy of Marshall Terrill / appears in “Steve McQueen: The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon” [2010] / medium.com)
According to biographer Marshall Terrill, “A period photograph of the Thomson homestead on the outskirts of Slater, Missouri. The home was owned by Steve McQueen’s great-uncle Claude Thomson [1873–1957], a prosperous hog farmer. Over time Claude grew to love Steve like a son, filling the role of surrogate father in the absence of the real deal.” (Image Credit: The Slater Main Street News Collection / Courtesy of Marshall Terrill / appears in “Steve McQueen: The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon” [2010] / medium.com)

It was Claude who gifted Steve a red tricycle for his fourth birthday that is attributed for having sparked his interest in racing later in life. At the age of eight, Julia Ann, came to retrieve Steve from the farm to have him live with her and her new husband. When departing, Steve’s great-uncle Claude gave him a going away present, a gold pocket watch, which was inscribed, “To Steve – who has been a son to me.

The next few years were difficult and troubled still, with Steve being thrown back and forth between living with his mother and great-uncle Claude, abuse at the hands of his stepfather(s) — yup Julia Ann got married a third time — petty crime and becoming entwined with street gangs.

His “homelife” landed him in a correctional facility, the California Junior Boys Republic, where Steve managed to turn over a new leaf towards some semblance of maturity. He was required to leave the facility at the age of 16 but maintained a lifelong relationship with Boys Republic.

The next few years saw Steve living the life of a drifter, from odd job to odd job until he had himself enlisted with the Marines, in 1974. He got into his fair share of trouble in the army, but he resolved his best behavior after an accident during an exercise in where he had to save the lives of five of his fellow Marines. Steve was honorably discharged in 1950.

Steve McQueen [center] shares a laugh with a pair of Marine buddies named Joe and Don upon his July 1947 platoon graduation at Parris Island, South Carolina. McQueen served a three-year stint and often told reporters he was busted down to private seven times to enhance his rebel status. However, his military file proved he was a competent soldier — McQueen ascended in rank rather quickly despite not serving in the Marines during wartime. (Image Credit: Bonham’s Auctioneers / Courtesy of Marshall Terrill / appears in “Steve McQueen: The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon” [2010] / medium.com)
Steve McQueen [center] shares a laugh with a pair of Marine buddies named Joe and Don upon his July 1947 platoon graduation at Parris Island, South Carolina. McQueen served a three-year stint and often told reporters he was busted down to private seven times to enhance his rebel status. However, his military file proved he was a competent soldier — McQueen ascended in rank rather quickly despite not serving in the Marines during wartime. (Image Credit: Bonham’s Auctioneers / Courtesy of Marshall Terrill / appears in “Steve McQueen: The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon” [2010] / medium.com)
Steve McQeen seen here with some boys from The Boys Republic. The Boys Republic is an organization for troubled youth that Steve McQueen was enrolled into as a young man. Steve is known to have said that his time with The Boys Republic saved his life by teaching him discipline. Long after he became a famous actor, Steve continued to give his time and resources to the boys enrolled at the organization
Steve McQeen seen here with some boys from The Boys Republic. The Boys Republic is an organization for troubled youth that Steve McQueen was enrolled into as a young man. Steve is known to have said that his time with The Boys Republic saved his life by teaching him discipline. Long after he became a famous actor, Steve continued to give his time and resources to the boys enrolled at the organization

The Sinatra Effect

Using his GI Bill, Steve started attending acting classes at Sanford Meisner’s Neighborhood Playhouse and at HB Studio in New York, earning money on the side by taking part in weekend motorcycle rases at the Long Island City Raceway, eventually enabling him to buy two objects of his first desire, motorcycles: a Harley-Davidson and a Triumph, to be specific.

He ended up relocating to California to seek more acting opportunities in 1955, which allowed him his first film opportunity: a small role in Somebody Up There Likes Me, directed by Robert Wise and starring Paul Newman. His first own leading role came to him in the 1958 film, The Blob. But ultimately his big break came to him when the one and only, Frank Sinatra allowed him a role in the 1959 film, Never So Few. Sinatra saw something special in Steve and made sure the young actor got more than his fair share of close ups. The role also set in motion a role type that Steve McQueen would go on to fill in proceeding years.

It is in the wave of these developments that we spot the next watch attributed to Steve, the Hanhart 417 chronograph. Whether the watch was the stainless-steel variation with the “ES” added to the reference number or the chromed brass variation remains a mystery, however, many seem to agree that he was wearing the ES variety.

Profile view of Steve McQueen as he sits on a sofa in his home, sunglasses over his eyes, as he aims handgun, his wrist balanced on his crossed leg, Palm Springs, California, May 1963. (Photo by John Dominis/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)
Profile view of Steve McQueen as he sits on a sofa in his home, sunglasses over his eyes, as he aims handgun, his wrist balanced on his crossed leg, Palm Springs, California, May 1963. (Photo by John Dominis/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)
Steve McQueen holding a pistol and taking aim in a desert area around Palm Springs, California June 1963 (Photo by John Dominis/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)
Steve McQueen holding a pistol and taking aim in a desert area around Palm Springs, California June 1963 (Photo by John Dominis/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)

Speculations aside, what we can suggest for sure is that this is the watch he is wearing on a bund strap, on his right wrist, in the iconic 1963 photograph of Steve as he’s sitting on a sofa in his home in Palm Springs, California aiming a handgun. Steve was clearly fond of his 417.

Revolution’s founder, Wei Koh explains, “His affection for his Hanhart 417 was made conspicuous when McQueen went to East Germany in 1964, along with motorcycle racing specialists the Ekins brothers, to represent the United States at the International Six Days Trial (ISDT).

Erfurt, East Germany (GDR), September 1964: Motocross World Championship (enduro): Steve McQueen, flag bearer of the American delegation, participates in the Six Days of Erfurt on a Triumph 750 cm3 motorcycle , number 278. He himself financed the team of the United States, composed with biker friends: here, the helmeted actor walking while holding his motorcycle during an arrival. (Photo by Francois Gragnon / Paris Match via Getty Images)
Erfurt, East Germany (GDR), September 1964: Motocross World Championship (enduro): Steve McQueen, flag bearer of the American delegation, participates in the Six Days of Erfurt on a Triumph 750 cm3 motorcycle , number 278. He himself financed the team of the United States, composed with biker friends: here, the helmeted actor walking while holding his motorcycle during an arrival. (Photo by Francois Gragnon / Paris Match via Getty Images)

“Often described as the Olympics of endurance motorcycle racing, the ISDT was first established in Carlisle, England and invited five-man teams from countries around the world to a showdown in off-road motorcycle skills. It is well-known that McQueen was at this time one of the United States’ most skilled motorcyclists. Clearly before the era of massive insurance waivers, McQueen even performed the majority of his bike stunts in 1963’s The Great Escape himself. However, the famous jump over the wire fence was made by his stuntman and ISDT teammate, Bud Ekins, on a Triumph TR6C disguised as a WWII-era BMW.

“In the ’60s, Ekins competed in seven ISDTs and won four gold medals and one silver. The 1964 ISDT team including McQueen were dubbed the “California Boys”; they were the first American team to ever compete in the ISDT and McQueen had the honour of carrying the Star-Spangled Banner in the opening ceremony.”

An Affair with the Crown

1966 is roughly about the time that we manage to place the next timepiece that Steve McQueen owned, the Memovox. Not much is known about what specific version of the Memovox Steve owned, but it was with him for quite a while making its way all the way to an appearance in the 1968 heist film, The Thomas Crown Affair.

The Thomas Crown Affair is interesting and important in Steve McQueen’s repertoire because it allowed “The King of Cool,” to break away from only playing the rebel character and showcase the breadth of his acting chops. It’s also interesting for the timepieces featured on Steve’s person, befitting of the Thomas Crown character. In the film’s first scene, Crown checks his gold Patek Philippe pocket watch, which is hung double-Albert style with a fob drop.

The next watch featured in the film is the aforementioned Memovox. The last watch, a personal favourite, is the Tank Cintrée, which is often wrongly listed as a the Tank Américaine. This is simply not possible because the Américaine wasn’t released until 1989. But, of course, it’s important we establish that the Patek Philippe pocket watch and the Tank Cintrée, were not Steve’s personal watches.

Seen here the double-Albert style hung chain of the Patek Philippe pocket watch with a fob drop
Seen here the double-Albert style hung chain of the Patek Philippe pocket watch with a fob drop
Crown checks his gold Patek Philippe pocket watch
Crown checks his gold Patek Philippe pocket watch
Steve McQueen (1930 - 1980) feeds a peach to actress Faye Dunaway in the street market during filming of 'The Thomas Crown Affair' — on his wrist the Memovox that appears on screen on his wrist (directed by Norman Jewison), Boston, Massachusetts, August 11, 1967. (Photo by Jerry Schatzberg/Getty Images)
Steve McQueen (1930 - 1980) feeds a peach to actress Faye Dunaway in the street market during filming of 'The Thomas Crown Affair' — on his wrist the Memovox that appears on screen on his wrist (directed by Norman Jewison), Boston, Massachusetts, August 11, 1967. (Photo by Jerry Schatzberg/Getty Images)
Crown and the Cartier Tank Cintrée as seen here in a screengrab from the film
Crown and the Cartier Tank Cintrée as seen here in a screengrab from the film

Where there are as many watches attributed to McQueen, which weren’t personally own by him, his interest in cars and motorbikes, and therein the extensive array that he collected for himself is documented to a tee. So here we have to start off with McQueen’s love for the Prancing Pony and specifically his 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, chassis number 4891. The car was a gift from his first wife, Neile Adams, who gave it to Steve on his 34th birthday.

Steve McQueen with his 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, chassis number 4891, a gift from his first wife, Neile Adams, on his 34th birthday (Image: gq-magazine.co.uk)
Steve McQueen with his 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, chassis number 4891, a gift from his first wife, Neile Adams, on his 34th birthday (Image: gq-magazine.co.uk)

In an outer body experience penned by journalist, Nick Rufford who wrote about how he tracked down Steve’s actual Lusso and actually got to drive it, he shares, “Now that the car is on the start line it’s a glorious moment. I twist the ignition key and the engine bursts into life. I’m expecting coughs and splutters, but no, it ticks over as smoothly as a modern 458. Power for the Lusso comes from a detuned version of the three-litre V12 used in the Ferrari 250 GTO, the Lusso’s first cousin. The main difference is that this boasts three twin-choke Weber carburettors instead of the six in the GTO. The chassis is the same as the GTO’s; so are the disc brakes.” Read the complete story, here: driving.co.uk

One of the earliest cars in his collection was the 1956 Jaguar XKSS, serial no. 713, one of 16 made. It’s the car Steve bought twice over, the “Green Rat”. And the same car that got his license suspended twice just because of the way he would drive it around Hollywood. But don’t take my borrowed knowledge on the car for too much, here’s an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, with a grinning Leno behind the wheels.  The car is presently part of the Petersen Automotive Museum collection, in Los Angeles, California.

Steve McQueen speeding through Los Angeles in his 1956 Jaguar XKSS, serial no. 713, one of 16 made. (Image: Blake Z. Rong / autoweek.com)
Steve McQueen speeding through Los Angeles in his 1956 Jaguar XKSS, serial no. 713, one of 16 made. (Image: Blake Z. Rong / autoweek.com)

This is first and foremost an article on Steve McQueen’s watches, but since we’re into the cars for a bit, allow me one last one: the McQueen Bullitt Mustang GT 390 Fastback, from the 1968 film, Bullitt. Sure, this wasn’t a personal car, but America’s King of Cool, behind the wheels of a definitive American muscle car, that’s just a match made in heaven. It’s also what gave us one of Hollywood’s most memorable car chase scenes, simply known, today, as the San Francisco Car Chase.

The car had a 390-cubic-inch V-8, which has been rebuilt since, and a four-speed manual transmission. Its movie appearance also required for the car to be heavily modified with fortified suspension, added horses, and mounts to support the movie cameras. Important to note that there were actually two Mustang GT 390s used in the filming of Bullitt, one went straight to the scrap yard, and the other sold earlier this year for $3,740,000 at Mecum Kissimmee 2020 and became the most valuable Ford Mustang in the world.

Read more about the car and the sale, here: bullitt.mecum.com

Steve and the McQueen Bullitt Mustang GT 390 Fastback, which made for one of the most memorable car chase scenes in all of Hollywood (Warner Bros.)
Steve and the McQueen Bullitt Mustang GT 390 Fastback, which made for one of the most memorable car chase scenes in all of Hollywood (Warner Bros.)
The McQueen Bullitt Mustang GT 390 Fastback was sold for $3,740,000 at Mecum Kissimmee 2020 and became the most valuable Ford Mustang in the world (Image: bullitt.mecum.com)
The McQueen Bullitt Mustang GT 390 Fastback was sold for $3,740,000 at Mecum Kissimmee 2020 and became the most valuable Ford Mustang in the world (Image: bullitt.mecum.com)
The McQueen Bullitt Mustang GT 390 Fastback was sold for $3,740,000 at Mecum Kissimmee 2020 and became the most valuable Ford Mustang in the world (Image: bullitt.mecum.com)
The McQueen Bullitt Mustang GT 390 Fastback was sold for $3,740,000 at Mecum Kissimmee 2020 and became the most valuable Ford Mustang in the world (Image: bullitt.mecum.com)

Since we’re on the cars, allow me one motorbike. Can’t say I know much about motorbikes in general, so I deferred to Wei for this one, who suggested I look up the Desert Racer. Not long into researching said motorbike, it was easy to tell why the suggestion was made. The bike, specifically, was the Metisse Mk3 a choice piece of machine meat for off road racing. Steve, of course, had his personal one further outfitted to withstand the demands of desert racing and in November of 1966 is known to have gone so far as to say: “‘This rig is the best handling bike I’ve ever owned!”

Steve McQueen commented in 1966 that the Metisse Mk3 he owned:‘ This rig is the best handling bike I’ve ever owned!'
Steve McQueen commented in 1966 that the Metisse Mk3 he owned:‘ This rig is the best handling bike I’ve ever owned!'

We segue back to the watches now, picking things up in the year 1970. According to serial watch spotter, Nick Gould’s extensive research, this is the year that the first instance of a Rolex Submariner was seen on Steve’s right wrist. Nick’s even narrowed down to the exact occasion he was wearing it at: the 1970 Lake Elsinore Grand Prix. But as we’re more familiar with the watch appearing on his wrist at Sebring 1970, not to mention the extensive amount of photographs from the event, we’ll stick to Sebring.

Steve McQueen, 12 Hours of Sebring, Sebring, 21 March 1970. On his wrist, clear as day is the 5512 Submariner (Photo by Bernard Cahier/Getty Images)
Steve McQueen, 12 Hours of Sebring, Sebring, 21 March 1970. On his wrist, clear as day is the 5512 Submariner (Photo by Bernard Cahier/Getty Images)
Steve McQueen at the wheel of his Porsche 908/02 during the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring, where he finished second overall with teammate Peter Revson. (Photo by Bernard Cahier/Getty Images)
Steve McQueen at the wheel of his Porsche 908/02 during the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring, where he finished second overall with teammate Peter Revson. (Photo by Bernard Cahier/Getty Images)
Steve McQueen with with teammate Peter Revson at the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring, where the duo finished second overall
Steve McQueen with with teammate Peter Revson at the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring, where the duo finished second overall

Driving a Porsche 908/02  in partnership with Peter Revson, the duo managed to win in the three-litter class, missing the top spot coming in some 23 seconds behind Mario Andretti’s team. Not too bad if you consider that Steve drove the entire race with a cast clad to his left foot, an injury from a motorcycle accident two weeks earlier. Jake of rolexmagazine.com, further confirms that the Submariner that Steve was wearing during the race, was a 5512.

Steve McQueen on crutches at the Sebring 1970 after a an injury from a motorcycle accident two weeks earlier; the watch on his wrist, his Submariner 5512 (Image: rolexmagazine.com)
Steve McQueen on crutches at the Sebring 1970 after a an injury from a motorcycle accident two weeks earlier; the watch on his wrist, his Submariner 5512 (Image: rolexmagazine.com)
A shirtless Steve McQueen on the track at Sebring 1970 with the Submariner 5512 on his wrist (Image: rolexmagazine.com)
A shirtless Steve McQueen on the track at Sebring 1970 with the Submariner 5512 on his wrist (Image: rolexmagazine.com)

In the following year, Le Mans was released. Beyond the story of the Monaco featured in the movie, on promotional materials and, not to mention, the permanent image that it forms in all our consciousnesses, a closer look at the film will remind you that the first watch that appears on screen is actually Steve’s own Submariner. In fact, there is extensive evidence from all of the behind the scenes photography from the filming of Le Mans, that at any point in time when the filming did not require the Monaco, Steve had his own Submariner on his right wrist, the 5512.

Steve McQueen out and about on the set of Le Mans on a motorbike, wearing the Heuer Monaco on his right wrist
Steve McQueen out and about on the set of Le Mans on a motorbike, wearing the Heuer Monaco on his right wrist
January 01: Actor Steve McQueen as racing driver Michael Delaney is seen wearing a Rolex Submariner 5512 watch whilst on set for the film 'Le Mans' circa June 1970 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
January 01: Actor Steve McQueen as racing driver Michael Delaney is seen wearing a Rolex Submariner 5512 watch whilst on set for the film 'Le Mans' circa June 1970 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
Father and son: McQueen, with his son, Chad, relaxes on the set of the 1971 movie 'Le Mans.' Though he wore a Heuer Monaco in the movie, he sports a Rolex Submariner here. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images / Forbes.com)
Father and son: McQueen, with his son, Chad, relaxes on the set of the 1971 movie 'Le Mans.' Though he wore a Heuer Monaco in the movie, he sports a Rolex Submariner here. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images / Forbes.com)

The next time we saw the Submariner on Steve while he was filming the 1973 Papillon. This well-known, candid photo of a disheveled Steve standing in front of a closed set sign board, sipping coffee, gives us a great glimpse of his Submariner, this time a 5513.

McQueen on the set of 'Papillon,' wearing his Rolex Submariner ref. 5512 (Image: Ron Galella)
McQueen on the set of 'Papillon,' wearing his Rolex Submariner ref. 5512 (Image: Ron Galella)

In 1974 in the film The Towering Inferno is when we see Steve don his Submariner next on screen, appearing alongside the one and only Paul Newman. But that’s not all, the film was star-studded, with multiple other big names the likes of Fred Astaire, Faye Dunaway, Susan Blakely and — believe it or not — O.J. “The Juice” Simpson.

In the final years of Steve’s life, he took to trying his hand at producing his own films. Films which he stared in as well, namely An Enemy of the People (1978) and then Tom Horn (1980). 1978 was an unfortunate year, Steve developed a relentless cough. He gave up smoking and underwent medical treatments, which sadly did him no good. In December of 1979, Steve was ultimately diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos with no known cure.

Steve was handed the diagnosis just after he’d finished filming, The Hunter — Steve’s last film and also the last time we would see his Submariner on his wrist on screen, this time a 5513. But it’s not just the screen where he wore the Submariner. He wore it regularly in his private life. Writes Jake Ehrlich, “Steve McQueen was really into racing and collecting cars and motorcycles, and toward the end of his life he lived in an airport hangar where he housed his collection of rare and collectible cars and motorcycles. In the photo below we see Steve McQueen checking out one of his very early vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles.” The picture Jake refers to in his words show a bearded Steve, in t-shirt and jeans, straddling said, vintage Harley Davidson. On his wrist the unmistakable Oyster case and bracelet of his Submariner.

A screen grab from the 1980 film, The Hunter showing Steve McQueen with his 5512 Submariner on his wrist (Image: rolexmagazine.com)
A screen grab from the 1980 film, The Hunter showing Steve McQueen with his 5512 Submariner on his wrist (Image: rolexmagazine.com)
Towards the end of his life he lived in an airport hangar where he housed his collection of rare and collectible cars and motorcycles. In the photo below we see Steve McQueen checking out one of his very early vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles and on his wrist is of course the Submariner (rolexmagazine.com)
Towards the end of his life he lived in an airport hangar where he housed his collection of rare and collectible cars and motorcycles. In the photo below we see Steve McQueen checking out one of his very early vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles and on his wrist is of course the Submariner (rolexmagazine.com)

Steve McQueen breathed his last November 7, 1980 having had a heart attack. But his legacy carries on through his many films. A grand legacy at that. What is an injustice to his legacy, though, is that where the watch collecting community is concerned, the name Steve McQueen continues to be associated with the wrong Rolex and a Heuer that he only wore on screen, rather than the watches he actually owned and wore — the Harhart 417 for instance, the Memovox and the correct Rolex, the Submariner.

Jake Ehrlich’s extensive research into Steve McQueen’s life and his Submariners, also led him to discover that, “…it was in Steve’s nature to give engraved watches as a gift to people he cared about and depended upon.” Case in point: the Loren Janes Submariner. But where are Steve’s own Submariners? Jake has the inside scoop on that too: “I interviewed Chad McQueen for this story [Top Reasons It is Likely – Steve McQueen gave Loren Janes The Rolex Submariner In Controversy] and we discussed how he has two different Rolex Submariner models his father gave him before he passed away. In the future, I plan to write a detailed story about those Rolex Submariner watches which have the most flawless provenance.”

Rant, finally and officially, over.

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