07.03.2019 - News

Only Watch auction set to break records

Fifty unique watch lots to be auctioned off at a major charity event have been unveiled.

Only Watch takes place on Saturday, November 9 at Geneva’s Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues.

It’s the 8th edition of the biennnial bidding that will raise vital funds into researching Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a devastating genetic disorder characterised by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.

But prior to the great sale, the luxury timepieces under the hammer including those from renowned brands such as Audemars Piguet, Briguet, Hublot, Patek Philippe and Richard Mille will be on show around the world.

From 25 September until 9 November 2019, the public can enjoy the display in 10 different cities including New York, Dubai and Paris, with the tour starting in Monaco at its Yacht Show.

52 watch brands will offer unique watches that can be accessed nowhere else with Christie’s the auctioneer of choice.

Among the 50 showpieces are these beauties:

Hublot

With a 45 mm classic fusion case, this dazzling Hublot Classic Fusion Tourbillon Sapphire Orlinski timepiece boasts a white gold bezel, set with 54 baguette-cut topazes. Entirely transparent, it reveals open work to show off the intricate gears, tourbillon cage and power reserve.

Richard Mille

This black and orange RM 11-03 McLaren Prototype will be on the wishlist of every Grand Prix fan.

The titanium pushers fitted to the Carbon TPT® case echo the design of the distinctive headlights of the McLaren 720S. Titanium inserts, similar in shape to the iconic McLaren F1’s air-intake snorkel and bearing the famous logo, adorn the bezel. Barrel winding is ensured by a variable geometry rotor that enables personalised winding adjusted to the wearer’s activity level, further evidence of Richard Mille’s characteristic attentiveness.

Patek Philippe

The 6300A Grandmaster Chime Steel is set to be the most expensive watch ever auctioned at Only Watch. The most complicated offering ever from Patek is a direct descendant of the Grandmaster Chime but with a stainless steel case and a pink dial – and is expected to attract multi-million pound bids.

With only a couple of watches in this collection produced each year, costing around £1.7 million in white gold, there is expected to be a frenzy amongst collectors.

Other watches up for auction include:

  • Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Openworked two-tone
  • Frederique Constant Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Meteorite
  • Louis Vuitton x Anita Porchet – Escale Spin Time Only Watch
  • Speake-Marin London 92 Only Watch

Luc Pettavino, president of the Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies, who lost his own son Paul to the disease, said: “I am grateful to all the watchmaking groups and independent brands participating in this 2019 Only Watch edition demonstrating dedication and heart through their creativity and craftmanship for this year’s auction which promises to be, once again, record-breaking”,

“With Only Watch everyone creates beauty to do good, meaning in this case supporting the work of dozens of researchers around the world, financing studies, purchasing material, creating biotech companies in the chemistry and biology sector… to bring this science to the clinic and one day maybe to find a cure.” 

If our experts can help you find a particular new or preworn watch, contact us at our Essex boutique on 0203 397 1596 and we will do our utmost to track it down for you.