Some garages are not meant to be discovered by chance. Behind closed doors, an extraordinary selection of collector cars awaited our visit, from rare Ferraris and vintage classics to modern racing machines.

Ahead of Gooding Christie’s inaugural Swiss auction on November 8, Watchonista was invited for an exclusive preview with Oliver Camelin, a watch collector himself.

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues during Christie’s Luxury Week, the auction achieved CHF 21.07 million, led by a Ferrari 499P Modificata at CHF 8.22 million. Before the sale, we spoke with Camelin about the collectors, cars and watches behind those figures.

Watchonista: How did the idea of bringing collector car auctions back to Geneva come about?

Oliver Camelin: Christie’s auctioned cars in Geneva until 1998. With Gooding and Christie’s joining forces, there was an opportunity to bring them back.

The idea came from collectors. During Geneva’s May watch auction week, I was talking with friends by Lake Geneva who collect both watches and cars. They asked why we weren’t organising a car auction here. Collectors already come from Hong Kong, New York and Paris for Geneva’s watch auctions. It made sense.

You collect watches yourself. Do you see the same mentality among car collectors?

Absolutely. I have the same virus as my clients, one of the healthiest viruses you can have, much better than gambling.

Some collectors buy Patek Philippe or Audemars Piguet watches and never wear them, keeping the protective films intact. Others prefer vintage pieces with aged dials and patina. It’s the same with cars. Some preserve modern Ferraris with almost no mileage, while others appreciate original leather and ageing finishes.

Which cars particularly caught your attention?

The 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona shows how automotive design evolved. Its sharper lines marked a departure from earlier Ferraris, rather like Gérald Genta’s influence on watchmaking.

Personally, I would choose the Ferrari F12tdf. It’s blue, with navy Alcantara and blue carbon fibre. All my cars are blue, and my watches are blue. I’ve got a bit of a theme with blue.

Editor’s note: Estimated at CHF 1.4–1.6 million, the 2016 Ferrari F12tdf sold for CHF 1.805 million, including buyer’s premium.

The Ferrari 499P Modificata was the auction’s headline car. What makes it special?

It’s derived from Ferrari’s Le Mans-winning racing prototype and built exclusively for the track.

Ownership also gives access to Ferrari’s Sport Prototipi Clienti programme, with dedicated circuit events and factory technical support. This particular car had never been driven by its original owner.

Editor’s note: Estimated in excess of CHF 7.5 million, the 2024 Ferrari 499P Modificata achieved CHF 8.2175 million, including buyer’s premium.

Is there a watchmaking equivalent to this engineering?

Richard Mille comes to mind, especially its use of advanced materials.

I also compare the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo. To an untrained eye, it’s simply a 911. But enthusiasts recognise the details that make it special.

What connects these two collecting worlds?

The mechanics. The leather, like a fine watch strap, the instruments resembling watch dials, the way materials develop patina over time. There are so many parallels between cars and watches.

Explore the world of collecting on Christie’s website.