Eight of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher's personal watches are heading to auction at Christie's Geneva on 13 May – and they could bring in more than US$4 million.
The standout pieces from his collection include two unique, personalized watches that celebrate his decorated titles: an F.P. Journe Vagabondage 1 and an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, both dials of which are engraved with Ferrari's logo, Schumacher's helmet, and trophies.
They were gifted to Schumacher by Jean Todt − his early mentor, then-Ferrari's general manager, and now one among a few close friends and family who have been allowed to meet him at his home since his near-fatal ski accident in 2013. He is also Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh's husband.
Also on offer is a classic Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona Reference 6262 and a complete set of F.P. Journe's Ruthenium Collection, which is making its market debut.
The F.P. Journe Vagabondage 1 gifted to Schumacher by Jean Todt
Schumacher's F.P. Journe Ruthenium Collection
Back in 1996, Todt was into his seventh season at the helm before the legendary racing driver joined the Ferrari F1 team. For many years, he had taken the Prancing Horse close to a title but never won any World Championships.
As they struggled to rebuild to their dynasty, however, Schumacher was dominating F1 with impressive back-to-back Championship titles for the Benetton team − Todt became determined to bring the driver over.
Schumacher's early years with Ferrari were dogged by technical problems, but in 2000 he finally took his first F1 victory for them − then repeating the feat across the following four seasons. He became the first driver to win five consecutive Championship titles and seven in total, records that remain unbroken today.
And Todt was appointed CEO in addition to his title of general manager in 2004; five years later, he was elected President of FIA. Over the years, they have still maintained a close relationship.
Schumacher and Jean Todt
Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh is married to Jean Todt
Lot 136 | F.P. Journe | Vagabondage 1 | Platinum jump hour tonneau-shaped wristwatch with dedicated rose gold movement and personalized dial (A gift from Jean Todt to Michael Schumacher in 2004)
Manufactured circa 2004
Case: 37.5 mm wide, 45 mm long
Estimate: CHF 1,000,000 - 2,000,000
In 2004, Schumacher started the season by winning a record 12 of the 13 races and clinched his seventh Championship with four races to spare. To mark the occasion, Todt gifted him with this personalized platinum rose-gold Vagabondage 1 – a watch model nobody else could own at the time.
Its specially made dial features Ferrari’s famous prancing horse emblem, Schumacher’s iconic red helmet, and seven globe-shaped symbols to represent the driver’s seven World Championship titles.
On the reverse, visible through crystal, is an engraving on the rose-gold movement which reads: "X-MAS 2004 – Jean Todt for my friend Michael Schumacher", and the case is engraved "Piece Unique".
When presented to the sporting legend at Christmas that year, it would have been completely unique in private hands and probably the very first Vagabondage ever to be fitted with a rose gold movement – the model was launched commercially two years after, in 2006.
The dial is decorated with Ferrari’s emblem, driver’s helmet, and symbols representing the 7 World Championship victories for Schumacher and Ferrari
The 18k movement is engraved with "XMAS 2004 – Jean Todt for my friend Michael Schumacher"
The origin of the Vagabondage could be traced back to 1997 when the young François-Paul Journe made for a friend an automatic wristwatch called the "Carpe Diem", which features a wandering jump-hour display revolving around a visible balance and escapement.
In 2003, he was requested to provide a "unique timepiece" to be sold for the benefit of the ICM Foundation, within a limited timeframe of six months. Seeing it impossible to come up with something new in such a short time, he decided to mine his archive and rework the Vagabondage prototype.
In the end, not just one, but three unique pieces were delivered: one cased in rose gold, one in yellow gold, and one in white gold, all with brass movements. The present timepiece would be the fourth ever to leave the workshop.
Now christened the "Vagabondage" in homage to its wandering hour display, the first commercial series was manufactured in a limited edition 69 in platinum and 10 set with baguette-cut diamonds – making it highly coveted in the market.
Lot 130 | Audemars Piguet | Royal Oak | 18k white gold automatic chronograph wristwatch with date, special commission dial, and bracelet (A gift from Jean Todt to Michael Schumacher in 2003)
Sold by Audemars Piguet in 2003
Case: 39 mm wide
Estimate: CHF 150,000 - 250,000
On 12 October 2003, Schumacher smashed the record for the most World Championships in F1, being crowned for the sixth time at the Japanese Grand Prix.
In recognition of the feat, Todt commissioned this white-gold Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet and had the dial customized to include the team's logo, Schumacher's helmet, and a number one surrounded by six stars – representing his six first-place trophies.
Its reverse is engraved with the year of each of Schumacher's six World Championship wins enclosed in a laurel wreath, along with the inscription "J. Todt pour M. Schumacher – Noel 2003".
Lot 137 | Rolex | Ref. 6262, Daytona "Paul Newman" | Stainless steel chronograph wristwatch
Manufactured circa 1971
Case: 36.5 mm
Estimate: CHF 200,000 - 400,000
Rolex's Daytona is not only a horological icon but a chronograph intricately tied to the racing world.
In 1962, Rolex became Daytona International Speedway's official timekeeper. To mark the occasion, a year later Cosmograph reference 6239, then nicknamed "Daytona", premiered – it was not until 1964 that the name Daytona would appear on the dial.
Unlike the brand's previous chronographs, the Daytona was designed specifically with racing in mind. To meet the needs of racing drivers, it has three contrasting-coloured sub-dials that provide greater legibility and a tachymeter scale engraved on the bezel which allows the wearer to measure speed or distance to time.
It did not set the watch world on fire back then. As a result, Rolex experimented with various changes and produced nine iterations in limited runs from 1963 to 2013. The present one, reference 6262, was produced from 1970 to 1972, featuring a coveted "exotic dial" known as the Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona.
The Newman Dial features contrasting sub-dials and square-block markers
Schumacher wore the present watch to a race
The much-lauded "Paul Newman Dial" is marked by its square-block markers and a white background and black counters, or vice versa – sometimes known as the "Panda" by collectors.
It was named after the famed actor and accomplished racer, who received an "exotic" dial Daytona as a gift from his wife, Joanne Woodward, as his passion for motorsport was just beginning. Throughout his racing career, he was seen wearing it constantly on different occasions hence making the timepiece highly desirable among collectors.
Years later, the Hollywood star's watch, which had been gifted to his daughter's boyfriend in 1984, was sold in 2017 at Phillips New York for US$17.75 million, making it the most expensive wristwatch sold at auction at the time.
Last but not least is Schumacher's F.P. Journe Ruthenium Collection. Each model from the collection was released in a limited edition of just 99, and all five watches here were numbered 92, possibly in reference to the year of his first Grand Prix race win.
The five timepieces will be offered in separate lots, and also available is the custom F.P. Journe presentation box, which will be offered without reserve.
Lot 131 | F.P. Journe | Octa Jour / Nuit | Platinum limited-edition automatic wristwatch with day/night indication, date, and power reserve
Manufactured circa 2004
Case: 40 mm
Estimate: CHF 150,000 - 250,000
Lot 132 | F.P. Journe | Octa Calendrier | Platinum limited-edition automatic annual calendar wristwatch with retrograde date
Manufactured circa 2004
Case: 40 mm
Estimate: CHF 150,000 - 250,000
Lot 133 | F.P. Journe | Octa Chronographe | Platinum limited-edition automatic flyback chronograph wristwatch with date
Manufactured circa 2004
Case: 40 mm
Estimate: CHF 150,000 - 250,000
Lot 134 | F.P. Journe | Chronomètre à Résonance | Platinum limited-edition dual-time chronometer wristwatch with resonance-controlled twin independent gear-train movement and power reserve
Manufactured circa 2004
Case: 40 mm
Estimate: CHF 300,000 - 500,000
Lot 135 | F.P. Journe | Tourbillon Souverain | Platinum limited-edition tourbillon wristwatch with remontoire d’egalité and power reserve
Manufactured circa 2004
Case: 40 mm
Estimate: CHF 300,000 - 500,000
Lot 136 | F.P. Journe | A unique presentation box made for Michael Schumacher's ruthenium collection (No reserve)
40 x 29 x 10.5 cm
Estimate: CHF 5,000 - 10,000
Auction Details:
Auction House: Christie's Geneva
Sale: Rare watches including the property of Michael Schumacher
Date: 13 May 2024