Every two years, the leading brands in the watchmaking industry come up with a unique piece each for Only Watch, the biannual charity auction in aid of research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. More than 40 million Swiss Francs have been collected since 2005, changing thousands of lives along the way. Initiated by Luc Pettavino, President of the Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies, this noble event is made possible by the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.
This year, the eighth edition of Only Watch is set to take place on 9 November at the Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues in Geneva, under the hammer of Christie’s. With a total of 52 watch brands in participation, 50 unique pieces (there are two collaborations amongst the lot) will be up for auction. Below, get a gist of what is in store for the Geneva-bound watch collectors and philanthropists through a selection of standout pieces:
Hublot Classic Fusion Tourbillon Sapphire Orlinski
Hublot’s ongoing collaboration with Richard Orlinski is dressed in the charity’s colours for the occasion, with the French artist’s penchant for intriguing facets sculpted into the sapphire of the Classic Fusion silhouette. It is said that fortune favours the bold; if that rings true, this should fetch a significant amount to be contributed to the cause.
Frederique Constant Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Manufacture
The draw of this Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Manufacture in 18K rose gold lies in the dial, or more specifically, what it is made of. The stunning skeleton dial is crafted from blue-tinted meteorite, a four billion-year-old, very rare material that fell on Earth 80,000 years ago and was found in Namibia, Africa back in 1839. Now how’s that for a watch with a story to tell?
H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept Only Watch
Introduced last year by the Schaffhausen-based manufacture, the Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept stars the moon phase complication against a minimalistic backdrop—no logo, no indices—seemingly floating in interplanetary space. This unique Only Watch version flaunts a dial made from Vantablack (the darkest substance known), encapsulated within a case of 5N red gold.
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MB&F and L’Epée 1839 Tom & T-Rex
MB&F and L’Epée 1839 avant garde creations are succeeded by the Tom & T-Rex, a playful masterpiece of horology serving as the first example of an unreleased series called T-Rex. The unconventional table clock depicts a small sculpture of a young boy, Tom—representing the children living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy—atop of his formidable friend the T-Rex, who carries him away into fantastical realms with its mighty strides; a symbol of hope for the children affected by the degenerative disease.
Patek Philippe 6300A Grandmaster Chime Steel
For Only Watch 2019, Patek Philippe’s most complicated wristwatch gets the visually delicious salmon-and-steel treatment. There is no question that the future owner of this timepiece will be “The Only One” to have the privilege, as the sub-dial at 12 o’clock serves as a kindly reminder. Not in the mood for salmon? Flip the case to switch it up with the foolproof black dial.
Hermès Arceau L’heure de la lune
Just earlier this year, we were floored by Hermès whimsical take on the moonphase complication that is the Arceau L’heure de la lune, which offers a dreamlike vision of Earth’s satellite with its unique double hemisphere moonphase display. The meteorite backdrop is inlaid with mother-of-pearl, above which floats the satellite dials above hemispherical moons. Take a closer look and a winged horse, the unmistakable icon of Hermès, adorning the moon at 12 o’clock.
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Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Enamel Chestnut
From Jaeger-LeCoultre’s distinguished Master Ultra Thin collection comes a perpetual calendar model in a beautiful chestnut brown hue. The eyes can’t help but be drawn to the perfectly balanced hand-guillochéd dial with a radiant sunburst effect, a testament to the craftsmanship of the manufacture’s highly-skilled artisans. Within the 39mm white gold case lies the automatic caliber 868A/2 with a power reserve of 70 hours.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph
Like the Hublot piece, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph wears the blue and grey colours of the charity loud and proud. The lightweight PVD-coated titanium case houses an anthracite sunburst dial, the sombre hue juxtaposed delicately with azure-coloured hour-markers and hands.
Tudor Black Bay Ceramic One
Bound to be a highly coveted item amongst collectors, the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic One is understated dignity at its best. The first of the iconic model to be crafted in ceramic, this diving watch attired entirely in matte black, from the dial and hands to the hybrid rubber and alligator strap. This 41mm black beauty is powered by the manufacture caliber MT5602, complete with a black PVD-coated rotor.
Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One Ceramic
While Jaquet Droz’s Grande Seconde Skelet-One Ceramic is already a stunner with its transparency-centric aesthetic, the Only Watch edition takes it a notch higher with the colour of love that is red, rendering the rail-track, the gold hour, minute and second hands, as well as the rolled-edge hand-made strap all in the unapologetically bold hue.
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