Driven delivers a look at the forthcoming Steve McQueen edition Triumph that takes inspiration from the “German military BMW in the 1963 war epic, ‘The Great Escape’.” Based on the Bonneville 100, the McQueen edition will run 1,100 units in the special matte military green finish. A beautiful motorbike.

Perpetuelle discusses the new Calibre 11 watch from TAG Heuer. “According to Calibre 11, this watch is ‘based on the traditional 39mm Monaco case, and like other Vintage Monaco editions, uses the Heuer logo and has the crown on the left-hand side of the case.’  In Switzerland, the McQueen Calibre 11 price will be CHF 7,700. Beautiful and clean racing blues on this one.

More looks after the click.

Fans of McQueen and moto-riders alike will appreciate this commemorative helment from TAG Heuer. “TAG Heuer has come out with a limited edition motorcycle helmet also inspired by the King of Cool, who wore a Heuer Monaco watch in the film. The retro-styled fiberglass helmet, which features a racing stripe matching the colors on McQueen’s driving gear, vintage Heuer logo, steel hardware and leather trim, is priced at about $650.” (luxist)

Ah. A celebration. Today is Steve McQueen’s birthday and in honor of him NOWNESS delivers a photo essay on his romance off screen. “In 1956, Steve McQueen was just another good-looking village beatnik, studying at the Actors Studio and dabbling in theater. Then he crossed paths with Neile Adams on a Manhattan sidewalk. A rising Broadway star, Adams was known around town as beautiful, sharp, independent and driven. Their chemistry was immediate and electrifying, and they connected over their troubled childhoods: Born in Beech Grove, Indiana, Terrence Steven McQueen came of age in a boys’ reform school, while the Manila-born Adams survived a POW camp in the Philippines. McQueen drove her on the back of his Triumph and introduced her to the village scene of the 1950s, the coffee houses, poetry circles and speakeasies.”

Still can’t get enough Steve McQueen? Well, you’re in luck. In a savvy move, My Wardrobe have brought in Taschen’s ‘idol’ series, which celebrates the life of several movie and music icons through photographs taken at separate stages of their career. The series has books on Bob Dylan, Clint Eastwood, Bob Marley, Sean Connery and the face of Americana, Steve McQueen. Best thing about these books? They’re only £6.99 each. (My Wardrobe)

Take a look at some shots from the books after the leap.

Hell For Leather brings us new of on the Steve McQueen Desert Racer motorcycle from England’s Metisse, but they’re not happy about the use of McQueen’s name in the project. “England’s Metisse Motorcycles is building a replica of the Desert Racer it made for Steve McQueen in 1966. Housing a reconditionedTriumph TR6 engine in a custom, oil-bearing steel cradle frame, the bike is specced the same as McQueen’s personal bike: BSA yokes, battleship grey bodywork, Amal components. It looks like a neat scrambler for casual dirt riding, but its spec, price and heavy-handed use of McQueen’s name leaves us cold.” (via stylecrave)

More views of the Steve McQueen Metisse Desert Racer Replica Motorcycle after the jump.

This motorcycle is an authorized replica of a racing bike owned and used by Steve McQueen. Triumph TR6 engine and 35mm Cerlani forks make part of the build. Metisse will be producing 300 of these beauties which all come with a certificate of authenticity. (via Retro to Go).

Unforgettable Steve McQueen is the definitive picture book on the legendary icon who starred in such movies as The Great Escape, The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt, and The Towering Inferno. He’s a legend not just because of the macho roles he played but because having been a juvenile delinquent, Marine, oilfield roughneck, lumberjack, producer, motorcycle racer, sports car driver, and Hollywood King of Cool. The sum of those things has created what is the Steve McQueen style. The book captures his life stories in photographs by Sid Avery, William Claxton, Raymond Depardon, Larry Kastendiek, and others, as well as vintage selections from various archives and featuring a foreword by Brad Pitt. Available now at Amazon, $37.80.

Bonhams & Butterfields is hosting a sale of exceptional motor cars on August 15th.Among the many grand lots, this Porsche driven by Steve McQueen in the film Le Mans will go on the block. Estimated to sell for 2million, the car is a 1969/70 Porsche Spyder. Quite the auto, and certainly enough to make Jeremy Clarkson jealous. Thanks to Retro to go for the heads up.