This year will be the 9th edition of this internationally-followed event, which has so far raised more than 70 million euros. It will take place on 6 November 2021 in Geneva, and will be conducted by Christie’s.
ONLY WATCH was founded by Luc Pettavino, who is President of Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies. Its objective is to raise funds for research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The auction is held under the High Patronage of HSH. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
This year 54 participating watch brands and related collaborations have contributed unique timepieces to the auction. Prior to the sale, the collection will go on a world tour to be presented to the public, media, and horological enthusiasts.
Just some of the watch brands and independent watchmakers involved include, Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Breguet, Bvlgari, F P Journe, H Moser & Cie, Hublot, Ludovic Ballouard, MB&F, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, TAG Heuer, Tudor, Ulysse Nardin, Urwerk, Zenith and a special collaboration between De Bethune and Kari Voutilainen.
Among the unique timepieces produced for the sale, Patek Philippe have created a ‘Complicated Desk Clock’. The timepiece was inspired by a desk clock that they delivered to James Ward Packard in 1923 and which is now held in the Patek Philippe Museum collection. The movement features a perpetual calendar, moon phases, week-number display, and power-reserve indication (31 days). It is adjusted to a precision rate of -1/+1 second per day. This exceptional Grande Complication is housed in a sterling silver cabinet with vermeil decorative elements and American walnut inlays. Dimensions are 164.6mm x 125mm x 76.3mm. The auction estimate is CHF 400,000– 500,000 (approx. £315,000–394,000).
Another example from the collection is Hublot’s ‘Big Bang Tourbillon Only Watch’. Most strikingly, apart from the transparent polished sapphire case, it is orange to match the ONLY WATCH colour theme this time.
The unique piece showcases the mechanics of the HUB6035 manufacture calibre automatic skeleton Tourbillon. Sapphire crystal has also been incorporated into the movement itself, with three sapphire bridges – a barrel bridge, automatic bridge, and a Tourbillon barrette. The watch has a 45mm diameter case. The auction estimate is CHF 160,000 –180,000 (approx. £127,000–£143,000).
You can see all the timepieces that will be for sale in the auction at the ONLY WATCH website onlywatch.com
© Photo images courtesy of ONLYWATCH.
Captions: Patek Philippe’s Complicated Desk Clock is estimated at between CHF 400,000-500,000.
Captions: Hublot’s Big Bang Tourbillon Only Watch in the auctions corporate colours.