Two Hollywood legends, two equally iconic watches, and only one auction. Things are about to get expensive, so hold onto your butts, as we take a look at Steve McQueen’s Original Heuer Monaco and Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona, set for auction at Phillips flagship watch auction RACING PULSE in New York.

It was worn by Steve McQueen during the filming of Le Mans in 1971. Needing the perfect timepiece for such an incredible film, the Heuer Monaco timepiece was integral to McQueen’s portrayal of professional race car driver Michael Delaney. Fast forward to 2020, that same watch is now set to be auctioned off.

Wrapped around his wrist as he tore down the infamous Mulsanne straight in a Porsche 917 at almost 200 mph, the original Heuer Monaco could be yours.

Initially meant for McQueen’s son; instead, it was handed down to the film’s chief mechanic, Haig Altounian. Despite his protest, McQueen bestowed the now timeless gift to Altounian, as a thank you for keeping him alive during filming. Revealing the inscription on the case back: To Haig Le Mans 1970, McQueen said it was too late to decline the offer, now that it had Altounian’s name on it.

Though there were precisely six watches produced for the film, McQueen’s only one during filming was the one given to Altounian. It would take Altounian a few years before he truly understood the value of what he had just received. Wearing it himself for a little while longer, he would eventually stash it away inside a safety deposit box, where it would remain for close to 50 years.

Scheduled to be sold at the Phillips Racing Pulse auction in New York on 12 December, the Steve McQueen Tag Heuer Monaco will sit alongside the Paul Newman Rolex “Big Red” Daytona.

But how much will these priceless items go for? Where might they start the bidding? Even they don’t know yet. Given this is such an iconic piece of history, who knows how high the bidding will go for the 1969 Tag Heuer Monaco ref. 1113.