Geneva, Switzerland — The Rare Watches Live Auction organized by Christie’s is slated to take place on May 13th at 2pm and a highlight of the sale are eight iconic timepieces from the collection of Formula 1 racing legend Michael Schumacher. Christie’s live auction of Rare Watches will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva. 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Schumacher’s first Formula 1 Drivers Championship win in 1994. In celebration of this moment, Christie’s auction will offer fans and collectors worldwide the unprecedented opportunity to experience Schumacher’s personal style and taste through the timepieces he wore and collected. Two of the watches in the sale, first revealed in March, were custom-made for the F1 driver and given to him as Christmas presents in 2003 and 2004 by his Ferrari team principle Jean Todt. An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph model estimated at$US180,000-280,000 and a unique piece by F.P. Journe, Invenit et Fecit, a Vagabondage 1 Model estimated at $US1,200,000-2,300,000. Schumacher’s collection features a very rare set of five F.P. Journe Ruthenium timepieces, which historically are almost never available on the market together with matching serial numbers. Also on auction is the Paul Newman Daytona from Rolex. 

Michael Schumacher’s Ruthenium Collection Made by F.P. Journe pictured below comprises a Platinum Limited Edition Automatic Wristwatch With Day/Night Indication, Date And Power Reserve Signed F.P. Journe, Octa Jour, estimated at $US180,000-280,000; A Platinum Limited Edition Tourbillon Wristwatch With Remontoire D’egalité and Power Reserve Signed F.P. Journe, Tourbillon Souverain, estimated at $US350,000-570,000; A Platinum Limited Edition Automatic Flyback Chronograph Wristwatch With Date Signed F.P. Journe, Octa Chronographe estimated At US$180,000-280,000: A Platinum Limited Edition Automatic Annual Calendar Wristwatch With Retrograde Date Signed F.P. Journe, Octa Calendrier, estimated at $US170,000-280,000 and a  platinum Limited Edition Dual Time Chronometer Wristwatch With Resonance-Controlled Twin Independent Gear-Train Movement And Power Reserve Signed F.P. Journe, Chronometre A Resonance, estimated Aat $US350,000-570,000.

« What an exciting moment it is for all of us at Christie’s to share these masterpieces of horology with passionate collectors around the globe. » commented Rémi Guillemin, Christie’s Head of Watches Europe and US. Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette.