The 8th edition of the Only Watch auction will be held 9 November 2019 in Geneva. The selection includes unique timepieces created by the finest brands to support the research of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The Only Watch is a biennial charity auction of unique timepieces created and donated by fine watchmakers for research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is held under the high patronage of His Serene Highness The Sovereign Prince of Monaco Prince Albert II.
Thanks to the contribution of the over 50 brands 40 million CHF has been raised in 7 editions so far.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. It is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy. Symptom onset is in early childhood, usually between the ages of 3 and 5. The disease primarily affects boys, but in rare cases it can affect girls. (DMD is a rare muscle disorder but it is one of the most frequent genetic conditions affecting approximately 1 in 3,000 male births worldwide.) The Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies – created in April 2001 by Luc Pettavino – promotes the scientific research to find treatments. Please see more about the research here.
World tour & auction
From the 25 September to 9 November, the special collection will travel around the world. The Principality of Monaco will host the first stop of this itinerant exhibition, on the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show, from 25 to 28 September.
The following stops are Dubai (1-3 October), Paris (7-8 October), London (11-13 October), New York (16-17 October), Tokyo (22-23 October), Singapore (The Hour Glass, 25-26 October), Hong Kong (28-29 October), Taipei (30-31 October) and Geneva (Christie’s – Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues, 7-9 November).
The Only Watch auction will take place on Saturday 9 November 2019, 2 PM at the Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues, in Geneva, under the hammer of Christie’s.
Watch brands in the 8th edition
This year 52 watch brands participates Only Watch. Two duos (De Bethune & Urwerk and L’Epée & MB&F) will present one watch each that is the fruit of their respective collaboration.
For the second time, Czapek & Cie. will support the Only Watch charity auction with a unique piece, the Faubourg de Cracovie Only Watch – a black onyx and titanium version of our audacious and charming chronograph. This timepiece features a magnificent and deep black onyx dial that is beautifully offset by the chalcedony counters, in reference to the official colour of Only Watch 8th edition.
This year, Ulysse Nardin has closely interlinked the development of its concept watch with the very cause supported by Only Watch: research into neurodegenerative diseases, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The Ulysse Nardin EXO-SKELETON X unique timepiece is a direct reference to futuristic motorized devices developed for people with degenerative muscular diseases. Autonomyo is an orthotic tool, when worn, imitates the human skeleton and detects the intended movement (flexion, extension and abduction of the legs), allowing the wearer to walk. More about the development and about the piece here.
Arnold & Son has created a unique edition of its Dial Side True Beat model, better known by the acronym DSTB. The La Chaux-de-Fonds based brand chose this piece in particular to highlight the infinite treasures of every second and to celebrate life.
The super-cool watch brand Singer Reimagined also joined the auction. ‘On this occasion, I have imagined an eye-catching timepiece with a very rare Black Damascus Steel case, black dial, golden details and the now notorious orange hands. True to Singer Reimagined original design, the Only Watch Edition is a tribute to rarity thanks to its unique case forged by hand in Sweden by Masters Johan Gustafsson and Patrick Sjögren from GoS Watches.’ – says Marco Borraccino (Co-founder & Managing Director).
The independent Swiss watchmaker RJ will donate the ARRAW 6919 ‘Only Watch’, a titanium timepiece created specifically for the charity auction with a one-of-a-kind, customized moon phase movement.
Christoph Claret supports the auction for the fourth time, this year with the Maestro Corail watch. A coral snake sneaked inside of the Maestro watch – wrapped around the movement, its hand-engraved body creates a powerful contrast between the tangy blue and orange brilliancy of its scales and the matt black shade of the movement.
MB&F and L’Epée 1839 opted again for a co-creation – ‘Tom & T-Rex’ is a metaphorical table clock. A small sculpture of a young boy, Tom, represents the children living with the degenerative disease. Tom rides his formidable T-Rex friend, who carries him away into fantastical realms with the earth-shaking strides of the mightiest of dinosaurs; a symbol of the hope offered by the Only Watch auction to the children affected by the disease. Check out the video about Tom and the T-Rex here.
Audemars Piguet presented a unique piece from their latest collection, Code 11:59 – the two-tone Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Openworked. It has two-tone case which emphasizes the architectural complexity of the design of Code 11.59 by AP. Its 18-carat pink gold octagonal middle case subtly contrasts with the 18-carat white gold extra-thin bezel, lugs and caseback. It has the calibre 2948 as the Tourbillon watch presented earlier this year.
For all the participating brands, please follow the link here and you can discover the timepieces on the official Instagram account of Only Watch.
Source: press release. Photo credits: Only Watch, Czapek & Cie., Arnold & Son, Ulysse Nardin, RJ, Audemars Piguet.
All registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
All rights reserved.
