If you’re in the market for a watch that comes with its own rich legacy, you might need to invest in a rather noticeable auction paddle.
Hitting the block this October is a rather important piece of cinematic history. The reference 5513 Rolex Submariner, given by Steve McQueen to his personal stuntman Loren James in 1964, was thought to have been lost in a fire. Inscribed on the caseback “To Loran, the Best Damn Stuntman in the World. Steve”, the watch is thought to be the only timepiece engraved with the Six Million Dollar Man‘s name.
Owned until recently by the late Loren James, who discovered the watch in the rubble of his destroyed family home and had it restored by Rolex, the watch will be auctioned by timepiece gurus Bacs & Russo on October 25 in New York.
The piece comes with a period-correct ref. 5513 dial and hand set, a letter signed by Loren Janes attesting to its provenance, a second letter from Rolex, and a copy of Steve McQueen: A Life in Pictures, which includes photos of the watch on the wrist of the legendary actor.
Let’s just hope it goes for less than six million.
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