The luxury timepieces once owned by auto racing legend Michael Schumacher fetched nearly 4 million Swiss francs at a Geneva auction. The top-selling piece was a watch given to Schumacher by former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt as a Christmas gift in 2004, which sold for 1.2 million francs. Other watches in the collection, including a custom-made platinum timepiece featuring a Ferrari logo and Schumacher’s racing helmet, also sold for significant amounts, contributing to a total of over 3.1 million francs at the hammer price.
Remi Guillemin, head of watches for Christie’s, confirmed that five watches from the Ruthenium collection were purchased by the same buyer. One watch, an Audemars Piguet with a Ferrari prancing horse emblem, sold for 330,000 francs, exceeding the expected price range. The auction was held to mark the 30th anniversary of Schumacher’s first Formula One Drivers Championship win in 1994 and the watches were exhibited in New York and Taipei before the sale.
Schumacher, who retired from Formula One in 2012 with seven World Championship victories – a record he shares with Lewis Hamilton, continues to be cared for at home in Switzerland following a near-fatal brain injury sustained in a skiing accident in 2013. The proceeds from the watch auction will likely benefit Schumacher and his family as they continue to provide care for the racing legend. The auction of the watches was a rare opportunity for fans and collectors to own a piece of Schumacher’s legacy and support his ongoing recovery.
The auction of Schumacher’s watches was part of a larger sale of luxury timepieces at Christie’s in Geneva. The watches attracted attention not only for their connection to Schumacher but also for their exquisite craftsmanship and unique designs. The success of the auction demonstrates the enduring popularity and value of items associated with iconic sports figures like Schumacher. The high prices fetched by the watches reflect the deep admiration and respect that Schumacher continues to command within the racing community and beyond.
The identity of the buyer of the Schumacher watches remains undisclosed, adding an air of mystery to the auction. The sale of the watches at well above the expected price ranges indicates the strong demand and interest in owning a piece of Schumacher’s legacy. The proceeds from the auction will not only provide financial support for Schumacher and his family but also serve as a testament to the lasting impact and influence of the racing icon. As Schumacher’s fans and supporters continue to rally around him, the auction serves as a reminder of his enduring legacy in the world of motorsport and beyond.
