Rolex, Audemars: Rare Michael Schumacher watches auctioned

A special watch collection under the hammer: The Schumacher family put eight watches from the private collection of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher up for sale. There was also another watch that no longer comes directly from the family safe, but was still there a few years ago before it was sold by Corinna Schumacher to a private collector in 2021.

The auction house expected up to five million euros

Overall, Christie’s auction in Geneva raised around 3.44 million euros. The auction house had previously expected just over five million euros.

Part of the collection was also a case for watches from the Swiss manufacturer FP Journe. It matched five of the manufacturer’s watches that actually belong together. But the collection was now torn apart because Christie’s wanted to give bidders the chance to purchase individual watches from the actually related collection. The suitcase still brought an almost unbelievable 15,300 euros.

Said collection consisted of five platinum watches with ruthenium dials and ruthenium-coated movements, each highlighting a different complication. Among them was a flyback chronograph and a tourbillon. According to Christie’s, the set was a rare opportunity as it was rare “for a numbered complete set to survive intact in the possession of the original owner.” But five extremely expensive watches were too much for just one buyer.

Unique pieces for Michael Schumacher

Perhaps the most expensive watch in the collection was also an FP Journe. This was the Vagabondage 1 model, a unique piece that former Ferrari and FIA boss Jean Todt presented to Michael Schumacher at Christmas 2004. The dial of this watch is decorated with Schumi symbolism, such as his helmet, the Ferrari logo and the number 7, which represents the world championship titles he won. Christie’s expected this watch, which was difficult to read, to fetch up to two million euros. The hammer fell at 1.22 million euros.

Among the watches available were two Rolex models from the Daytona line: a Daytona 6262 “Paul Newman” made of stainless steel and a yellow gold Daytona 6241. The latter is only unofficially part of the Schumacher collection, as it was already sold in 2021 and was contributed by the current owner became.

The Audemars Piguet model on offer was also highly individual, a Royal Oak Chronograph with the reference 259602BC. Schumacher received this watch for Christmas in 2003 – also from Jean Todt. The watch has three typical Schumi symbols on the dial: his helmet, the Ferrari horse and the number 1 with six stars. A laurel wreath with six dates and a dedication from Todt to Schumacher were engraved on the case back. She brought in 336,000 euros.