Offered in Geneva this May 13, 2024, as part of ‘The Rare Watches Live Auction’, Christie's will sell some of the most special watches in the collection of Racing Legend Michael Schumacher. Marking the 30th anniversary of Michael Schumacher’s first Formula 1 Drivers Championship win in 1994, Christie’s is delighted to present selected timepieces from the private collection of one of the most successful drivers in F1 history. The Rare Watches Auction will take place on May 13, 2024, at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, with a section dedicated to this group of watches, highlighting key moments in the career of Michael Schumacher, demonstrating the unique quality of this collection.
Rémi Guillemin, Christie’s Head of Watches Europe and US commented: “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. We are proud to present these iconic and unique timepieces belonging to one of the most celebrated Formula One legend. An exceptional moment, for watch and F1 enthusiasts alike. We are looking forward to meeting with passionate collectors during our international exhibitions and the auction on 13th of May in Geneva.”
Some of the special selection of watches includes a particularly special 18K white gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26320BC with a very special dial which had been commissioned as a gift for seven-times Formula 1 World Champion racing driver Michael Schumacher from Jean Todt, his early mentor at Ferrari, commemorating the then 6 F1 victories achieved by Schumacher.
The bespoke white dial features Ferrari’s famous prancing horse emblem on the subsidiary seconds dial, the numeral '1' in the 30-minute register dial surrounded by 6 stars representing Michael Schumacher’s 6 World Championship victories between 1994 and 2003, while in the 12-hour register, Schumacher’s red racing helmet is depicted. This incredibly personal piece of F1 memorabilia also bears an engraved personal gift dedication on the back of the case recording the six F1 World Championship wins achieved.
This 18K white gold Royal Oak Chronograph is the ultimate trophy for AP collectors and Formula 1 fans alike and will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to possess one of the most distinctive individual Royal Oak Chronographs with remarkable direct and storied provenance.
Another very personal piece of Formula 1 memorabilia, is a unique F.P. Journe Vagabondage 1 Model timepiece, dating from circa 2004, featuring a bespoke dial and bearing an engraved personal gift dedication on the 18K gold movement. The stunning red dial immediately captures attention as around its circumference are symbols representing Michael Schumacher’s seven F1 World Championship victories achieved by 2004 and includes Schumacher’s racing helmet together with the Ferrari emblem.
The origin and story of the ‘Vagabondage’ wristwatch is a fascinating one. As early as 1997, François-Paul Journe had made a unique automatic wristwatch called the ‘Carpe Diem’ with wandering jump-hours around a central visible balance. However, the catalyst for the production of series of a similar watches was the request to provide a unique timepiece to be sold for the benefit of the ICM Foundation in 2003. Now christened the ‘Vagabondage’ in homage to its wandering hours display, the first commercial series of wristwatches was manufactured in 2006.
Preview Dates for The Rare Watches Auction, including timepieces from the Michael Schumacher Collection:
Los Angeles: March 20-22, 2024 at Christie’s L.A.
Hong Kong: April 4-7, 2024 at Christie’s Hong Kong
Taiwan April: 20-21, 2024 at the Marriott Hotel.
Dubai April: 27-30, 2024 at Christie’s Dubai
New York: May 3-5, 2024 at Christie’s NY
Geneva: May 10-12, 2024 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues
Auction: May 13, 2024, at 2:00pm at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva
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