Would You People Think I Was Cool If I Bought Michael Schumacher's Omega Speedmaster?

Image: RM Sotheby’s

Arguably Formula 1’s greatest driver, Michael Schumacher, was the poster boy for Omega’s “MK40” triple date automatic Speedmaster campaign. Because of this, the reference 3520.53—like this one—became known as “The Schumacher.” Presumably this watch was a gift from Omega to Schuey in 1996 for his work on the ad campaign, as it is engraved with his name on the back, and the date he received it. It’s currently up for auction with RM Sotheby’s online “The Schumacher And F1 Legends Collection” sale. As of this writing, the bidding is sitting at around $11,600 at current exchange rates.

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I’d probably spend that much money on it if you guys would think I was cool for doing so.

Image: RM Sotheby’s

At the end of the day isn’t that what watch collecting is all about? Nobody needs to tell time with an analog timepiece anymore. The whole point is that it becomes a conversation piece. Why wear it on your wrist if you don’t want someone to notice it and comment “nice watch”? The thrill of getting someone to say they like your old-fashioned time telling wrist jewelry is totally worth the price of a mid-sized sedan, right?

Spending ten to fifteen thousand buckaroos on a watch seems a little absurd, but in the realm of celebrity watches, Michael Schumacher’s Omega Speedmaster seems like a really cool one to have. I’d much rather wear this than pay a couple million for one of Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monacos. Or the $17.75 million that someone paid for Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona.

Watches sell for crazy money, but I am desperate and starved for attention, so uh, don’t bid against me. And please tell me you think I’m cool.