Christie’s Results: Michael Schumacher’s Rare Watches

Geneva – Eight watches consigned from the private collection of Michael Schumacher, one of the most successful drivers in Formula One history, sold today for just under CHF 4 million (US$ 4.4 million / €4.1 million). The F.P.Journe Vagabondage, given by Jean Todt to Michael Schumacher for his seven F1 World championships sold for CHF1,497,000/US$1,646,700/ €1,532,928.

The Property of Michael Schumacher was included in Rare Watches, a live auction held in Geneva offering  164 pieces, totaling CHF22,821,050. The auction was 96% sold by lot, and the top lot of the sale was a stunning vintage Patek Philippe, ref 1518 from 1948 which made CHF2,465,000/US$2,711,500/€2,524,160 setting the highest price for a wristwatch sold this spring in Geneva.

Remi Guillemin, Head of Watches EMEA and Americas, commented: “These results demonstrate the passion of international collectors for exceptional timepieces. Our sincere thanks go to our consigners as well as the Schumacher family who entrusted us with the exceptional property of Michael Schumacher. We saw strong global participation, with an emphasis on America. Patek Philippe headlined the sale, Patek Philippe ref.1518 Pink on pink, selling for CHF 2,465,000, as well as significant demand from buyers for F.P.Journe.”

Winning independent watch maker timepieces from the Michael Schumacher private collection;

LOT 136 The F.P. Journe Vagabondage from the collection of Michael Schumacher took the lead during the Spring RARE WATCHES auction, achieving CHF1,497,000/US$1,646,700/€1,532,928. The dial was commissioned by Jean Todt to commemorate the seven F1 world championships won by Michael Schumacher and given to him as a Christmas present in 2006.

LOT 130 This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak chronograph had been commissioned as another gift for Michael Schumacher from Jean Todt, his mentor at Ferrari, commemorating the drivers then 6 F1 victories. The bespoke dial features Ferrari’s famous prancing horse emblem, 6 stars representing each World Championship, as well as Schumacher’s red racing helmet and achieved CHF 415,800/US$457,380/ €425,779.

LOTS 131-135b Michael Schumacher’s full F.P. JOURNE ruthenium collection set of 5 was offered separately however bought by the same buyer, including the original personalized presentation box for a total of above CHF1.7 million/US$1.8mill/€1.7 million.

The final lot offered from the Michael Schumacher Collection was a Rolex Daytona ref. 6262 which sold for CHF315,000/US$346,500/€322,560. One of the rarest vintage Rolex Daytonas, reference 6262 was in production for a very short period of time, between 1970 and 1972.

The most wanted vintage pieces from Rare Watches;

LOT 127 The 1948 reference 1518 by Patek Philippe is one of only 58 made in pink gold and one of 12 with a pink dial, made for the Latin American market as weekday and month-calendar is in Spanish, selling CHF2,465,000/US$2,711,500/€2,524,160 setting the highest price for a wristwatch sold this spring season in Geneva. 

LOT 124 Patek Philippe’s reference 2526 in pink gold, with black enamel dial is only one of eight examples to have appeared in public to date. The most distinguishing features of the 2526 case are its domed screw back for water-resistance and the beautiful cast gold crown with opposing ‘PP’ design sold for CHF680,400/US$748,440/€696,730.

Rolex new and old in equal demand;

LOT 93 This Rolex reference 6262 Daytona with ‘Paul Newman’ dial, is thought to be the only one made for the Peruvian Airforce (FAP). Between 1962 and the late 1970s, FAP is thought to have received around 700 Rolex watches including Daytona’s, Submariners and GMT’s sold for CHF302,400/ US$332,640/€309.657.

LOT 112 'Les Armoiries' (coat of arms/reference 6100) is 1 of 3 Rolex wristwatches featuring a cloisonné enamel dial decorated with a coat of arms known to date, and decorated by Marguerite Koch in the 1950s sold for CHF277,200/US$304,920/€283,853.

This continues the success seen in Geneva with Only Watch, 100% sold, and achieving 4 times its estimate, raising CHF 28.3 million for medical research.

Christie’s Luxury Sales continue in Geneva with Magnificent Jewels on 15 May 2024.