The family of auto racing icon Michael Schumacher organized an auction in Geneva, where eight of his watches were sold for nearly 4 million Swiss francs. The top piece in the sale was a custom-made platinum timepiece from F.P. Journe, given to Schumacher by former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt as a Christmas present in 2004. The watch features 18-carat white gold, a red watch face, and images of a Ferrari logo, Schumacher’s racing helmet, and a “7” to honor his seven World Championship victories. The watch sold for 1.2 million francs, well within the pre-sale estimate range of 1-2 million francs.
Remi Guillemin, head of watches for Christie’s, declined to identify the buyer but mentioned that five watches in the Ruthenium collection were purchased by the same buyer. One of the watches in the collection, an Audemars Piguet featuring a Ferrari prancing horse emblem, sold for a hammer price of 330,000 francs, exceeding the expected range of 250,000 francs. The total sales of Schumacher’s watches at the auction exceeded 3.1 million francs at the hammer price. The sale was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Schumacher’s first Formula One Drivers Championship win in 1994.
The watches were part of a larger auction of luxury timepieces at Christie’s in Geneva, with some pieces being taken to New York and Taipei for showings before the sale. Schumacher, who retired from F1 in 2012, shares the record for the most F1 titles with British driver Lewis Hamilton. In December 2013, Schumacher suffered a near-fatal brain injury after a skiing accident in the French Alpine resort of Meribel. Since being transferred from the hospital in September 2014, he has been cared for privately at a family home in Switzerland.
The auction of Schumacher’s watches attracted significant attention from collectors and fans of the racing superstar. The watches were sold for prices well within the expected range, with some exceeding expectations and selling for high amounts. The sale of the watches was a unique opportunity for fans to own a piece of memorabilia from the iconic racer’s personal collection. The timing of the auction to coincide with the anniversary of Schumacher’s championship win added significance to the event, highlighting the enduring legacy of the legendary driver.
The auction of Schumacher’s watches represents a rare opportunity for collectors to own a piece of memorabilia from one of the greatest Formula One drivers in history. The custom-made platinum timepiece given to Schumacher by former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt was a standout piece in the collection, selling for a significant amount at the auction. The sale of the watches generated over 3.1 million francs, exceeding expectations and showcasing the continued popularity and interest in Schumacher’s legacy. The auction also provided insight into the diverse range of luxury timepieces owned by the racing superstar, further enhancing his reputation as a style icon in addition to his racing achievements.
Overall, the auction of Michael Schumacher’s watches was a success, with the timepieces fetching high prices and attracting interest from collectors and fans alike. The sale of the watches, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Schumacher’s first Formula One Drivers Championship win, added significance to the event. The legacy of Schumacher, one of the greatest F1 drivers in history, continues to captivate audiences, with his watches representing a unique opportunity for fans to own a piece of memorabilia from the legendary racer. The successful auction highlights the enduring popularity and reverence for Schumacher’s contributions to the world of auto racing and luxury timepieces.
