Christie’s Rare Watches auction encountered a snag on Monday, deviating from its expected course. As reported by Bloomberg, the Geneva sale faced postponement due to a cyberattack, prompting a rescheduling to Tuesday, according to a spokesperson from Christie’s.
The disruption stemmed from Christie’s website going offline on Thursday, attributed to what the auction house described as a “technology security issue.” Despite efforts to rectify the situation, the full functionality of the website remained impaired on Monday, although links to catalogs for seven upcoming auctions were added. The source of the system failure remains undisclosed, although Christie’s has experienced cyber breaches in the past. Notably, a German cybersecurity firm uncovered a data breach at Christie’s in August, as reported by The Washington Post.
Notwithstanding the technical setbacks, Christie’s proceeded with its controversial “Only Watch” auction on Friday and an art sale in New York on Saturday. However, online bidders were precluded from participating in these events. Despite this limitation, the “Only Watch” auction managed to raise approximately $31.2 million for charity. Christie’s CEO, Guillaume Cerruti, assured that eight auctions would proceed as planned during the week, with bidding facilitated in person and via phone. “We are looking forward to welcoming you to our exhibitions and to registering you to participate in these auctions,” remarked Cerruti in a statement emailed to The New York Times.
The Rare Watches auction, now slated for May 14 at the Four Seasons in Geneva, prominently features timepieces associated with seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher. The assortment of eight watches encapsulates pivotal moments from Schumacher’s illustrious three-decade racing career.
Among the highlights is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, which holds special significance. Presented to Schumacher by French racing executive Jean Todt, the custom chronograph boasts intricate racing motifs. The seconds subdial showcases Ferrari’s iconic Prancing Horse emblem, while Schumacher’s red racing helmet adorns the 12-hour register. Additionally, the 30-minute counter is embellished with the numeral “1” and six stars, symbolizing Schumacher’s victories from 1994 to 2003. Another standout piece is the unique F.P. Journe Vagabondage 1 Model, featuring a bespoke dial paying homage to Ferrari, with an estimated value ranging from $1.1 million to $2.2 million.
The collective value of Schumacher’s wristwatches is anticipated to reach millions at auction, provided no further disruptions occur.
