Steve McQueen Rolex
A Rolex Submariner owned and worn by Steve McQueen with his name engraved on the case back that will go up for sale this year.
The watch was given by McQueen to his personal stuntman, Loren Janes, who passed away at the age of 85 last June. The watch is engraved in all caps: "TO LOREN, THE BEST DAMN STUNTMAN IN THE WORLD. STEVE".
The Rolex Submariner will be sold with a letter signed by Janes that attests to its provenance along with photos from Rolex documenting its restoration and the book Steve McQueen: A Life in Pictures, which shows McQueen wearing the watch.
The reference 5513 Rolex is the earliest McQueen-owned Submariner known and was gifted to Janes in the mid-to-late '70s.
The Steve McQueen Rolex Submariner was previously thought to be lost in the 2016 wildfire outside of Los Angeles that destroyed 40,000 acres of land, including the home of Loren Janes and his wife. Nearly all of Jane's personal belongings and film memorabilia were lost, but the family was urged to search for the Rolex.
It was found a few days later and was sent to be restored by Rolex; however, a small bit of soot residue is still present on the Rolex bracelet clasp and the case back.
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