Lewis Hamilton’s Silverstone-worn watch auctions for a mouth-watering $254,000

Star F1 driver Lewis Hamilton's podium-worn IWC watch and race-worn gloves from Silverstone were recently auctioned for a whopping sum of $254,000 at the Laureus x IWC Schaffhausen Charity auction in Zurich.

Earlier in July this season, Hamilton returned to the top step of the podium, breaking a winless streak that had extended back to 2021. The Mercedes driver delivered a brilliant performance, fending off fellow Brit Lando Norris and a fast-charging Max Verstappen to secure his record ninth British GP victory.

Hamilton wore the personalized 'IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team' on his wrist while holding the iconic British GP trophy. The watch, along with a pair of race-worn gloves signed by the seven-time champion, fetched an impressive $254,000 in a recent charity auction organized by Bonhams.

IWC CMO Franziska Gsell and TV Presenter Dan Nicholl (Instagram/dannicholl78)

According to Hypebeast, the special IWC timepiece worn by Hamilton was auctioned off seven times the estimated value after a furious round of bidding. All the proceeds from the auction benefitted the Laureus Foundation Switzerland, founded by IWC Schaffhausen in 2006. The foundation benefits children through social sports projects.

The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer became the 'Official Engineering Partner' of the Mercedes F1 team in 2013. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell continue to sport IWC watches off the track.

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Lewis Hamilton remains Formula 1's most marketable athlete in 2024

Lewis Hamilton was named motorsports' most marketable athlete in SportsPro's 50 Most Marketable Athletes in 2024. This marks the 12th year he has claimed the title, having made 14 appearances on the list overall.

Hamilton was ranked 11th on the list of most marketable athletes, topped by American gymnast Simone Biles, footballer Vinicius Junior, and NBA legend LeBron James. The rankings were based on three categories — Brand Strength, Total Addressable Market, and Economics.

Three-time reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen was ranked 31st on the list, while Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was 33rd. McLaren driver Lando Norris was ranked 37th while his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri was 46th on the list.

Hamilton's teammate George Russell held the 63rd spot, while fellow Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. was ranked 58th. McLaren junior Bianca Bustamante followed closely behind Russell in 64th, and the upcoming Haas F1 driver Oliver Bearman was positioned at 101, ahead of MotoGP icon Marc Marquez in 117th.

Hamilton is set to join Ferrari next season, joining forces with Leclerc and team principal Fred Vasseur at Maranello. With five race weekends left in the 2024 season, the star Mercedes driver is ranked sixth in the F1 standings, one spot ahead of his teammate Russell.