Christie’s to auction timepieces from the Collection of Michael Schumacher

Christie’s is presenting for the first time at auction eight unique and very rare watches from the collection of Formula 1 racing legend Michael Schumacher. This historic collection will highlight Christie’s live auction of Rare Watches On 13 May 2024 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.

Custom-made Royal Oak Chronograph and F.P. Journe Vagabondage 1

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.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph, Ref. 25960BC, 18K White Gold Automatic Chronograph with Date, Special Commission Dial and Bracelet, No. E73509, Circa 2003, Engraved ‘J. TODT POUR M. SCHUMACHER, NOEL 2003

Estimate: CHF 150,000-250,000 | US$180,000-280,000 | €160,000-260,000

F.P. Journe Vagabondage 1, Platinum Jump Hour Tonneau-Shaped Wristwatch With Dedicated Rose Gold Movement And Personalised Dial Signed F.P. Journe, Invenit et Fecit, Piece Unique, Circa 2004, Engraved ‘XMAS 2004 – JEAN TODT FOR MY FRIEND MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’

Estimate: CHF 1,000,000-2,000,000 | US$1,200,000-2,300,000 | €1,100,000-2,100,000

F.P. Journe Ruthenium Collection Set

Schumacher’s collection features a very rare set of F.P. Journe Ruthenium timepieces, which historically are almost never available on the market together with matching serial numbers.

It is also almost unheard of for a matching numbered full set to be preserved intact in the possession of the original owner. To allow wristwatch collectors and motor racing enthusiasts alike the opportunity to own a timepiece from the collection, each watch, numbered 92/99 will be offered by Christie’s as a separate lot.

The Ruthenium Collection comprises five watches that are each individually an epochal model of F.P. Journe’s production, some are great rarities of the brand’s entire production, including the ‘Octa Jour et Nuit’ which was only available as part of a complete set of the Ruthenium Collection.

The five different models were all produced during the final phase of the brass movement era between 2001 and 2003 in a limited edition of 99 pieces each.

(1) F.P. Journe, Octa Jour / Nuit Ruthenium Model, Platinum Limited Edition Automatic Wristwatch with Day/ Night Indication, Date and Power Reserve Signed, No. 92/99-02A, Circa 2004

One of the most elusive and sought-after models of Journe wristwatches, the Octa Jour et Nuit was never produced on its own, independently from the Ruthenium collection. The name ‘Octa’ was given as a prefix to all F.P. Journe’s automatic watches because in Latin it means ‘eight’ and the figure ‘8’ on its side signifies infinity.

Estimate: CHF 150,000-250,000 | $180,000-280,000.

(2) F.P. Journe, Tourbillon Souverain Remontoire D’egalité Ruthenium Model, Platinum Limited Edition Tourbillon Wristwatch with remontoire d’egalité and Power Reserve, No. 92/99-01T, Circa 2004

The Tourbillon Souverain is arguably Journe’s most famous wristwatch model. Launched in 1999, it was the first ever tourbillon with a remontoire d’egalité. It received the ‘Aiguille d’Or’ prize at the Geneva ‘Grand Prix d’Horlogerie’ in 2004 and won the ‘Watch of the Year’ grand prize in Japan in the same year.

Estimate: CHF 300,000-500,000 | $350,000-570,000.

(3) F.P. Journe Octa Chronographe Ruthenium Model, Platinum Limited Edition Automatic Flyback Chronograph Wristwatch with Date, No. 92/99-02C, Circa 2004

The Octa Chronographe is one of the rarest and most intriguing of F.P.Journe’s early series wristwatches with only 313 examples ever made across all production. It uses the same caliber 1300 as other Octa models but is fitted with an integrated stopwatch mechanism on the dial plate.

Estimate: CHF 150,000-250,000 | $180,000-280,000.

(4) F.P. Journe Octa Calendrier Ruthenium Model, Platinum Limited Edition Automatic Annual Calendar Wristwatch with Retrograde Date, No. 92/99-04Q, Circa 2004

The Octa Calendrier was F.P.Journe’s first annual calendar wristwatch and the third complication to be integrated into the Octa automatic calibre series whilst maintaining the same dimensions of the movement, a significant horological achievement.

Estimate: CHF 150,000-250,000 | $180,000-280,000.

(5) F.P. Journe Chronometre A Resonance Ruthenium Model, Platinum Limited Edition Dual Time Chronometer Wristwatch with Resonance-Controlled Twin Independent Gear-Train Movement and Power Reserve, No. 92/99-01R, Circa 2004

The Chronomètre à Résonance most clearly showcases the genius of F.P.Journe. It is the only wristwatch in the world with a movement based on ‘resonance,’ a natural physical phenomenon. F.P. Journe’s resonance watches notably feature two balances that are naturally synchronized and oscillate in ‘resonance’ with each other. The negative effects of wrist and body movements are hence considerably reduced.

Estimate: CHF 300,000-500,000 | $350,000-570,000.

Rolex Daytona Paul Newman, Ref. 6262, Stainless Steel Chronograph with Black ‘Paul Newman’ Dial and Bracelet, Case No. 2’733’481, Circa 1971

The Paul Newman Daytona ref. 6262 represents the synthesis of two great sporting icons – Rolex’s most recognizable and desired vintage steel chronograph, and its present owner, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher. No other model of any Rolex watch focuses so much on its many dial variations and different references attention as this manually winding Rolex Cosmograph.

One of the rarest vintage Rolex Daytonas, reference 6262 was in production for only a very short period of time, between 1970 and 1972.

Estimate: CHF 200,000-400,000 | $230,000-460,000.

Previews
Taiwan: 20-21 April, at the Marriott Hotel
New York: 03-05 May, at Christie’s
Geneva: 10-12 May, at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues

Live Auction
Geneva: 13 May at 2.00pm, at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues