Watchmakers present their very best at this year’s Only Watch auction, which benefits research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Watchmakers present their very best at this year’s Only Watch auction, which benefits research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Renowned enameller Anita Porchet working on the dial of Louis Vuitton’s Escale Spin Time watch.
Come 9 November, 50 one-of-a-kind timepieces will go under the Christie’s hammer for the eighth edition of Only Watch, a biennial horology charity auction that raises funds for scientific and medical research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases. With 99 percent of the proceeds (40 million Swiss francs have been raised thus far) going directly to research projects, it’s easy to see why brands from Audemars Piguet to Zenith have rallied behind the cause wholeheartedly with pièce unique watches that have been created specifically for the occasion.
Audemars Piguet, for example, maintains the momentum of its CODE 11.59 launch at the start of the year with a new rendition of its CODE 11.59 Tourbillon Openworked: Crafted from white and rose gold, this two-tone Only Watch version highlights the architectural nature of its complex case for a look that differs completely from its rose gold brethren.
Over at Chanel, the 20th anniversary celebration of its emblematic J12 continues with the J12 Inseparable: A monochrome ceramic duo in matte black and matte white featuring Chanel’s new automatic, chronometer-certified Caliber 12.1, engraved with the words “Only Watch” as seen through its sapphire crystal case-back. Never one to do things by halves, Hublot has created a Classic Fusion Tourbillon Sapphire Orlinski in the charity’s colours—reinforced by the 54 baguette-cut topaz bezel and baby blue straps. The watch comes in a transparent box, held aloft by French artist Richard Orlinski’s signature Wild Kong figurine.
From top: Sapphire crystal, white gold and topaz Classic Fusion Tourbillon Sapphire Orlinski for Only Watch watch, Hublot. White gold Arceau L’heure de la Lune, Hermès. Titanium, white gold, ruby and diamond Escale Spin Time Only Watch watch, Louis Vuitton. Ceramic J12 Only Watch 2019 watch, Chanel. White gold Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Enamel Chestnut watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Also providing something a little extra is Louis Vuitton, whose Escale Spin Time watch—featuring a 200-hour, tattoo-inspired Grand Feu champlevé enamel dial by famed enameller Anita Porchet—is presented in a custom Monogram canvas watch trunk that has also been hand-painted to suit the treasure it holds.
Then, there’s Patek Philippe’s Grandmaster Chime ref. 6300 (the watchmaker’s most complex wristwatch with 20 complications), presented in a non-precious metal case for the very first time. With a salmon dial on the front and a black dial at the back, this steel number even bears the words “The Only One” on the subdial at 12 o’clock.
From Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master UItra Thin Perpetual Enamel with a distinct new chestnut brown hue, to Montblanc’s 1858 Split Second Chronograph in titanium with a blue agate dial, the Only Watch collection will be making its way around the globe with stops in major cities. Catch it in Singapore at Malmaison by The Hour Glass from 25 to 26 October.
