Eight watches that belonged to Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher – including two unique pieces referencing his world champion titles – were sold on Tuesday at Christie’s in Geneva for just under 4 million francs (4.1 million euros).
The German racing driver was an avid collector and very tasteful until his serious skiing accident in December 2013. He has not been seen in public since then.
Two of the timepieces put under the hammer on Tuesday are unique pieces made for the F1 driver and given to him as Christmas gifts by his Ferrari team principal, Jean Todt, Christie’s said in presenting the pieces.
The piece de resistance, a Vagabondage 1 from F.P Journe, displays a unique dial stamped with the Ferrari crest and 7 v symbolizing Michael Schumacher’s seven F1 world championship titles as well as his helmet.
It was estimated between 1 and 2 million Swiss francs.
It fetched 1,497,000 Swiss francs (1,646,700 US dollars or 1,532,928 euros), Christie’s said in a press release following the sale which was held in a Geneva palace.
Michael Schumacher’s family, who jealously protect his privacy, have also put up for sale a rare complete collection of 5 pieces from the F.P Journe Ruthenium collection, including the presentation box stamped with the rider’s name.
The watches were offered separately at auction but were taken “by the same buyer, including the box for a total of more than 1.7 million Swiss francs (1.8 million US dollars or 1.7 million euros) », Specifies the auction house.
But despite the strong emotional charge of this collection, offered for sale 30 years after Michael Schumacher’s first Formula 1 world champion title in 1994, it is an exceptional piece from the house of Patek Philippe which won the greatest success on Tuesday.
The vintage Patek Philippe, ref. 1518 rose on rose from 1948 brought in 2,465,000 Swiss francs, 2,711,500 US dollars or 2,524,160 euros, “the highest price for a wristwatch sold this spring in Geneva,” says Christie’s.
It is one of only 58 examples in pink gold and one of 12 with pink dial, intended for the Latin American market with calendar of days and months in Spanish.
In total, the sale of the timepieces put under the hammer on Tuesday amounted to 22,821,050 Swiss francs, specifies the auction house.
“These results demonstrate the passion of international collectors for exceptional timepieces,” commented Rémi Guillemin, Head of Watches for Europe, Middle East, Africa and America at Christie’s, “We witnessed strong global participation , with a focus on America,” he added.
