Michael Schumacher's timepieces yield millions of dollars.
As a devoted watch collector, Michael Schumacher managed to accumulate many impressive timepieces throughout his illustrious racing career. Recently, a series of his special possessions were put up for auction in Geneva, resulting in millions of dollars in sales.
This past week, eight watches once belonging to the Formula 1 legend were auctioned off at Christie's in Geneva. The most coveted item was purchased for 1.2 million Swiss francs (equivalent to around 1.2 million euros). In addition to the generous sum, the successful bidder was required to pay 20 to 26 percent commission to the auction house.
Considering inflation and the overall value of these items, this exchange might be considered a bargain compared to the attempted sale of Schumacher's 2003 title Ferrari, which was worth 13 million Swiss francs (approximately 13.1 million euros). This car holds significance as it was driven by Schumacher when he won five races and scored four pole positions, leading him to his sixth of seven World Championship titles.
Sadly, Schumacher, an avid collector, has not been seen in public since 2013 following a severe skiing accident. He lives with his family near Geneva, on the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva. There has been no update regarding his health status or wellbeing. It has been revealed that the buyers of these eight watches have yet to be identified.
Sentimental Value of Watches
Initially, this auction was slated to take place on Monday, but it got postponed due to a cyberattack on Christie's website. The company played it down, assuring that their other auctions would proceed as planned. The attack is believed to have taken place on Thursday, and the organization is collaborating with both internal and external experts to resolve the issue. Although Christie's official website was temporarily disabled, bids were still accepted online during the incident.
At the conclusion of 2022, Sotheby's auction house sold yet another treasure from Schumacher's life - his iconic 2003 championship Ferrari, specifically model F2003-GA. This magnificent piece of machinery was sold for the astounding amount of 13 million Swiss francs (about 13.1 million euros). Sotheby's stated that this is the highest amount ever fetched at auction for a modern Formula 1 car.
Read also:
- Floods: water levels remain critical in many places
- Snow chaos further restricts Bavaria
- Continuous operation in the flood areas
- Flood situation remains tense in many places
Despite the successful sale of Michael Schumacher's watches at the International Christie's auction, the identities of the buyers remain unknown. Following his skiing accident in 2013, Schumacher, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, has mainly been living a private life in Switzerland, near Geneva.
The international appeal of Formula 1 continues to captivate collectors, as evidenced by Schumacher's 2003 championship Ferrari, which sold for a record-breaking 13 million euros at a previous auction, showcasing the immense value these vintage racing cars hold on the global market.
Source: www.ntv.de
