Only Watch 2013
The fifth edition of the Only Watch charity auction takes place this year on September 28th in the prestigious Hôtel Hermitage in Monaco.
Perfectly timed to coincide with the Monaco Yacht Show this is an extraordinary event at which unique timepieces especially created and donated by the various watchmakers for the occasion go under the hammer in aid of the Monegasque Association for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a horrendous and debilitating condition. Despite the fact that more than half the watches sold for under their estimate at the last auction which took place in 2011, an astounding amount of €4,563,000 was raised.
This is a remarkable occasion and a win/win event all round. Not only does this worthy charity get some much needed research funds, but the watch brands involved - including some of the lesser-known names - get publicity from journals such as ourselves. Also, nothing inspires a watch company to create something special quite like an event where your piece will be exhibited side by side with those donated by your competitors before going under the spotlight to be individually auctioned.
Of course, these are all unique, one of a kind editions yet some still stand alone. Last time around Richard Mille donated the very watch worn by Rafael Nadal when he won the 2011 Monte Carlo Championships. Others like Cyrus offered not just a watch, but the experience of a Manufacture visit as a guest of the brand in order to personally hand over the auctioned timepiece.
If you get the chance to view this unique line-up as it makes its global whistle stop tour then go-see, you are unlikely to ever see one of these rarities on the wrist. In the meantime we will cherry pick the watches due for auction for your pleasure, just bookmark this page and we'll add the links as we go along.
The Julien Coudray 1518 Manufacture 1528 Masterpiece White Gold for Only Watch 2013 here.
The Chanel Premiere Flying Tourbillon for Only Watch here.
