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Watches belonging to Formula 1 great Michael Schumacher sold for around four million Swiss francs (R81 million) at an auction in Geneva on Tuesday.

The eight watches, including timepieces by Rolex, F.P. Journe and Audemars Piguet, were put up for sale by the family of Schumacher, who has not been seen in public since suffering a severe head injury in a fall while skiing off-piste in 2013.

We’re sure the Schumacher family could do with the cash, but it feels a bit macabre to sell off the F1 legend’s belongings whilst he is still alive.

Among the auctioned timepieces was a custom-made F.P. Journe watch with an engraved message given to Schumacher as a Christmas present by his Ferrari team principal Jean Todt. The watch was eventually sold for 1.5 million Swiss francs (R30 million).

The bespoke dial features Ferrari’s famous prancing horse emblem on the seconds dial, the numeral ‘1’ in the 30-minute register dial surrounded by six stars representing Michael Schumacher’s six World Championship victories between 1994 and 2003, while in the 12-hour register, Schumacher’s red racing helmet is depicted.

[image:christies] 

“We are proud to present these iconic and unique timepieces belonging to one of the most celebrated Formula One legend. An exceptional moment, for watch and F1 enthusiasts alike.”