Le Mans Winner To Auction-Off Rolex Daytona For Ukrainian Children

Former Le Mans champion Michael Christensen is auctioning off his winner’s Rolex Daytona to raise funds for children in Ukraine.

The Danish racer was one of the winning Porsche Motorsport factory team drivers at the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans.

He got behind the wheel two hours before the end of the 2017 race and drove the team from 7th to victory and with Rolex as a partner of the historic motorsport event, winning drivers are presented with specially engraved Daytonas.

“I am fully aware that it is almost unheard of for a racing driver who has won the 24 hours of Daytona race to sell one of these completely unique watches,” says Christensen. “The watch is one of my most cherished belongings since it represents one of my biggest and proudest victories. At the same time, the situation in Ukraine is unbearable and sad, and when I looked at the watch, I kept thinking that it could do so much more good than just lying in my safe deposit box.”

As well as driving to victory at Le Mans, Christensen has also won the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, the 24 Hours of Spa, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the FIA World Endurance Championship in the GTE class during the 2018/19 season.

Copenhagen auction house Bruun Rasmussen will auction off the watch on September 28, with the proceeds from the sale going to Save the Children in Ukraine. The Rolex Daytona ref. 116503 – a bi-metal 18K gold and stainless steel example with white dial – has been given an estimate of DKK 250,000 – 300,000 (approximately $33,750 USD – $40,500 USD).

Elsewhere in watches, Assouline charts the history of Audemar Piguet’s Royal Oak.