On September 28, the city of Monaco hosted the fifth edition of the ‘Only Watch’, recognized as the world’s first charity watch auction.
Ever since its debut in 2005, Only Watch has been a paragon of philanthropy, outstanding creativity and intense auctioneering. Most importantly, the proceeds from the event have accelerated medical research on muscular dystrophy, particularly Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Around one in 3,500 individuals inherit Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic mutation which results in muscular degeneration and eventual death. Sufferers of the condition usually lose their ability to walk between the age of 9 and 12, and become essentially paralyzed from the neck down at the age of 21.
The Monaco Association against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophies (AMM) managed to rally the men and women of the fine watchmaking industry into providing creative support to fund the medical research of this not-so-rare genetic condition. This year, 33 of the world’s leading watch manufacturers are donating unique, one-off timepieces specially created for the occasion. 100 percent of the funds raised were donated for research on the debilitating condition.
Participating watchmaking brands include Bell & Ross, Breguet, Harry Winston, Chopard, Jaquet Droz, Louis Vuitton, Piaget, Ulysse Nardin, Roger Dubuis, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, and many more. Each brand created ingenious, unrivaled pieces for the auction which represent the goodwill of the watchmaking world towards those in need.
Chrono Hawk
Specially designed for Only Watch 2013, the bold design of Girard-Perregaux’s Chrono Hawk combines matte black ceramics with a silvery-white palladium. The brand’s own GP03300 self-winding chronograph calibre powers this 44 millimeter timepiece.
Midnight Big Date
From the first glance, Harry Winston’s Only Watch Midnight Big Date embodies the quintessence of watchmaking, imbued with a sense of authenticity and refinement. Topped with a bezel discreetly bearing the three iconic arches of the Harry Winston Fifth Avenue salon in New York City, the case is crafted in 18K polished rose gold.
Only Watch Dove
Laurent Ferrier participated in the charity auction with a truly unique timepiece: the Only Watch Dove. The original Galet Classic on which the design of this piece was based won the “Favorite Men’s Watch” award during the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2010. But what’s truly special about this timepiece is that it is powered by the first movement of the second version of the Calibre 619.01 developed by Laurent Ferrier. Firsts are usually not sold, and the prestigious “000” engraving on the caseback signifies ultimate exclusivity.
