It’s not often the worlds of elite motorsports and watchmaking collide quite like this, but a pair of rather unique watches formerly owned by Michael Schumacher is set to be auctioned this May.
Offered directly from the Schumacher family, the sale aligns with the 30th anniversary of Michael Schumacher’s first Formula 1 Driver’s Championship win in 1994, making the sale all the more significant for both fans and collectors alike.
The most recognisable of the two watches is a white gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak chronograph that was gifted to seven-time grid king by his Ferrari mentor Jean Todt, whose own watch collection was sold at the end of 2022 (and included a number of watches given to him by Schumi himself).
The stars at 3 o’clock represent Schumacher’s six World Championship victories with the Prancing Horse between 1994 and 2003; while the 9 o’clock and 6 o’clock subdials feature his racing helmet and the Ferrari logo respectively.
The chronograph also features an engraving on the caseback signifying F1 victories, as well as a personal note from Todt who gifted Schumacher the watch at Christmas in 2003. It arrives with an estimate of between CHF150,000 and CHF250,000 (AU$255,000 and AU$416,000).
Regardless of provenance, the singular platinum F.P. Journe Vagabondage 1 Model given to Michael Schumacher around 2004 represents a significantly rarer timepiece. Featuring a quintessentially Journe-made solid gold movement, the design features a “wandering” hours scale in Ferrari red, with seven of the hour markets printed with a “V” for Schumacher’s seven total world championship victories.
Similar to the Royal Oak Chronograph, the rear of the watch features an engraving in the 18K red gold movement bridge, which reads: “X-Mas 2004 – Jean Todt for my friend Michael Schumacher.” It arrives with an appropriately hefty estimate between CHF1 million and CHF2 million (AU$1.7 million and AU$3.4 million).
“Christie’s expresses sincere thanks to the Schumacher Family for their trust in us and their wish to share these masterpieces of horology with other passionate collectors around the globe,” said Christie’s Watches executive Rémi Guillemin.
“We are proud to present these iconic and unique timepieces belonging to one of the most celebrated Formula One legends. An exceptional moment, for watch and F1 enthusiasts alike.”
Both Michael Schumacher-owned watches are set to go under the hammer at Christie’s Rare Watches auction in Geneva on May 13th, 2024.
