Only Watch Auction 2019

The 8th Only Watch auction is almost upon us. It pushes aside all rivalry between brands, and the watch industry pulls together to produce a series of “one off” pieces to be presented and auctioned by Christies to raise money for the Monegasque Association against Muscular dystrophy (AMM) which supports scientific and medical research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a devastating disease of the muscle tissue affecting one in 3000 male births.

The one off creations will be showcased on a world tour with the auction taking place on the 9th November in Geneva.

MONACO (Monaco Yacht Show): 25-28 September

DUBAI (Christie’s in association with Seddiqi): 1-3 October

PARIS (Christie’s): 7-8 October

LONDON (Christie’s): 11-13 October

NEW YORK (Christie’s): 16-17 October

TOKYO (Christie’s): 22-23 October

SINGAPORE (The Hour Glass): 25-26 October

HONG KONG (Christie’s): 28-29 October

TAIPEI (Christie’s): 30-31 October

GENEVA (Christie’s – Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues): 7-9 November

Here’s a look at our favourite pieces from this years collection.

Akriva Chronometre Contemporain.

Manual winding and based on the officers watches of the 1940s with hand hammered grand feu enamel dial. Certified chronometer by the Besançon Observatory.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Barakuda.

Thoroughly up to date reissue of the 1960s Fathoms, which was issued to the German Bundesmarine by “Barakuda”, a company specialising in technical diving equipment. Possibly my favourite model of this year as I’m a sucker for vintage inspired divers. The tropic strap is the icing on the cake.

Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire.

Featuring an 8 seconds constant force mechanism which ensures that from first winding to last minute of power reserve the force serving the balance wheel doesn’t alter which gives absolute precision of timekeeping. Frosted vintage dial with blued hands and a matching toned ostrich strap.

Hermés Arceau L’heure De La Lune.

Meteorite inlaid with mother-of-pearl moons form a cosmos in which satellite dials float above the dial. Rotating moon display both north and southern hemispheres. A beautifully executed monochromatic piece.

Hublot Classic Fusion Tourbillon Sapphire Orlinski.

45 mm Classic Fusion case with a white gold bezel, set with 54 baguette-cut topazes. Entirely transparent, it reveals an openworked architecture showcasing the gears, tourbillon cage and power reserve.

MB&F Tom & T-Rex.

Table clock which tells the story of a child struck by illness who goes on an adventure with his formidable friend, T-Rex. Stainless steel case and Murano hand blown glass giving an incredible 360 view of the movement.

Patek Philippe Grand Master Chime Ref 6300A-010.

The first Patek Philippe grande-sonnerie wristwatch ever added to the company’s current collection. This unique stainless steel version boasting two dials in rose gold and black ebony. The reversible case, adorned with a hand-guilloched hobnail pattern, is notable for its patented reversing mechanism. This exceptional grand complication features 20 complications in its stainless steel case, including no fewer than five chiming modes, two of which are patented world firsts: an acoustic alarm that strikes the preselected time and a date repeater sounding the date on demand. This one is going to be the big hitter at auction.

Richard Mille RM11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph McLaren.

The case of the RM 11-03 McLaren is made of Carbon TPT® interlaced with Orange Quartz TPT®, resulting in an extremely resistant and light-weight case while paying tribute to a colour that is synonymous with McLaren. The case houses the automatic RMAC3 calibre in titanium with a flyback chronograph and variable geometry rotor which adjusts to the wearers activity level.

RJ ARRAW 6919

The bezel of the ARRAW 6919 showcases the original Apollo 11 spacecraft material within a super light, high performance acrylic composite. A special three-dimensional applique sits on the movement disc, which represents the Apollo 11 Command and Service Module (CSM). RJ also engraved two significant lunar locations on the disc indicated by their GPS coordinates. The DNA concept timepiece was created to mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Voutilainen TP1 OW2019.

The first collaboration between Kari Voutilainen and his daughter Venla. The TV screen style case houses a LeCoultre ebauche movement. The TP1 combines classic watchmaking tradition with a modern and highly wearable twist. The orange markers and hand decoration really elevate the two tones of the engine turned dial. Its a cracking piece.

With so many well considered and executed pieces up for auction it will be great to watch the results roll in. 

m@officialwatches.com