Breaking Update!
Results from the auction detailed below have hit, and some of the news is simply block-busting: The Patek Philippe lot, the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010, which was estimated to go for as much at $3M dollars, was sold for over 10 times that amount when the final hammer sounded: $31M Swiss francs (approx. $31,204,000 dollars). This not only makes it the largest price from the Only Watch auction, it is the largest price of any auctioned watch, ever. This is now the most expensive watch in the world.
The biennial Only Watch auction, which took place this year on November 9 in Geneva, was founded ten years ago by Luc Pettavino, the president of Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies to aid research efforts into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Luxury watchmakers create extraordinary one-off versions of their timepieces to auction, and 99% of proceeds go directly to research efforts. So far, the event has raised over $40 million dollars and attracted the support of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, a keen watch fan himself: “With the money raised together with Only Watch in the past decade, we have changed the face of research on this matter. […] We are getting closer to changing the lives of thousands of children, teenagers and young adults around the world. We might not all be researchers, but I think we all have collectively the power to change things for generations to come. I am very honoured and happy to have supported this project since the beginning, as I know many of you have, and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.” onlywatch.com
This year’s auction lots comprise 50 extraordinary timepieces from some of the most coveted watchmakers in the world. Here are some highlights, in alphabetical order:
Code 11.59 Tourbillon Openworked Only Watch Edition/26600CR.OO.D002CR.99 by Audemars Piguet
This unique model’s two-tone case emphasizes the architectural complexity of Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet. Its 18-carat pink gold octagonal middle case subtly contrasts with the 18-carat white gold extra-thin bezel, lugs and caseback. Satin-brushed, bevelled and polished, the bezel, lugs and case present refined finishing techniques usually found on calibres. The caseback is engraved with “Unique Piece.”
Estimate: $190,000 - $240,000
BR 05 SKELETON GOLD BLUE / BR05A-OW-PG-SK / SRB by Bell & Ross
Bell & Ross’ special Only Watch model is 40 mm in diameter and features a satin-polished 18K rose gold case, blue skeleton dial, rose gold applique indices and is coated in Super-Luminova.
Estimate:$20,000 - $25,000
Fifty Fathoms Barakuda for Only Watch / 5008C-1130-B64A by Blancpain
The rich black dial of this superb dive watch is punctuated by white hour-markers in Super-LumiNova with blue luminescence, like the hands and bezel. "Only Watch” is engraved on its oscillating weight.
Estimate: $13,000 - $20,000
Type 20 Only Watch 2019 / 2055ST/Z5/398 by Breguet
The solid caseback is engraved “Breguet Type 20 Only Watch 2019 Pièce Unique.” A Bidirectional rotating bezel with triangular markings allows for flight calculations. The dial of the watch is inspired by the very rare civilian and military models of the Type 20 with a bronze-colored dial sold at the time.
Estimate: $35,000 -$50,000
Patravi ScubaTec Only Watch 2019 - Ref. 00.10632.30.53.99 by Carl F. Bucherer
Referring to the number of times the Only Watch auction will have taken place since it originally started, the sea-blue dial of this unique timepiece presents the silhouettes of eight manta rays.
Estimate: $25,000 - $30,000
Meteorite Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Manufacture by Frederique Constant
This unique Only Watch piece is presented in a 42mm diameter 3-part 18K rose gold case featuring a stunning, skeletonized blue tint meteorite dial. This four billion-year-old, very rare material fell on Earth 80,000 years ago and was found in Namibia, Africa back in 1839.
Estimate: $32,000 - $36,000
Laureato Absolute Chronograph for Only Watch by Gerard Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux is delighted to offer exclusively for Only Watch a unique piece of the Laureato “Absolute” Chronograph, the very first piece of this Laureato line’s extension. The piece interprets the Only Watch 2019 Pantone shades: an anthracite sunburst dial, blue hour-markers, hands and second hand, edging on the push-pieces in the same shade.
Estimate: $13,000 - $16,000
Arceau L'heure de la lune Only Watch by Hermes
This unique Haute Horlogerie timepiece is fitted with a matte alligator strap in graphite grey with a blue zephyr calfskin. The slowly rotating date and time dials indicate the current moon phase as they cover the elaborate graphic moons on the face.
Estimate: $35,000 - $55,000
Classic Fusion Tourbillon Sapphire Orlinski for Only Watch by Hublot
For the 2019 edition of Only Watch, Hublot has created a transparent and faceted watch out of pure sapphire, one of the most difficult materials to machine.
Estimate: $160,000 - $180,000
Master UItra Thin Perpetual Enamel Chestnut by Jaeger LeCoultre
This "Métiers Rares" execution of a classic piece from the core collection of the watchmaker is rendered in an exclusive, and very special, chestnut color.
Estimate: $55,000 - $70,000
Escale Spin Time - Only Watch 2019 by Louis Vuitton
This exceptional timepiece combines an elaborate enamel dial created by artist Anita Porchet and the patented movement created by Louis Vuitton.
Estimate: $80,000 - $100,000
‘Tom & T-Rex’ - Ref. 76.6008/240 by MB &F
This fascinating object from MB&F is distinguished from the makers existing T-Rex series (launched autumn 2019) thanks to the figurine of a child riding the stylized T-Rex, as well as the light blue color of the Murano glass components.
Estimate: $20,000 - $40,000
1858 Split Second Chronograph Only Watch 2019 by Montblanc
For the first time, Montblanc unveils a wristwatch that combines a 44 mm case in full satin-finished titanium grade-two, the hand-crafted Montblanc Manufacture Monopusher Chronograph calibre MB M16.31, a brand-new matching Sfumato alligator strap and a stunning dial made of degraded blue agate – all those elements making it a true watch for collectors.
Estimate: $42,000 - $48,000
Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 by Patek Philippe
The Grandmaster Chime is the first Patek Philippe grande-sonnerie wristwatch ever added to the company's current collection. The grand complication Ref. 6300A-010 unites accomplishment and elegance in this new and unique stainless steel version boasting two dials in rose gold and black ebony. The reversible case, adorned with a guilloched hobnail pattern, is notable for its patented reversing mechanism.
Estimate: $2,500,000 - $3,000,000
Altiplano Ultimate Automatic / G0A44535 by Piaget
This ultra-thin Altiplano timepiece features a rose gold case with blue hour display and peripheral oscillating weight, with an engraved case-back and matching blue alligator strap.
Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000
RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph by Richard Mille
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’s racing efforts. Under the bonnet of the RM 11-03 beats the automatic RMAC3 calibre in titanium with a flyback chronograph ready to literally race on the track.
Estimate: $220,000- $250,000
Black Bay Ceramic One / M7921/001CN by Tudor
Sporting a matte black ceramic case with bead-blasted finish matte black PVD-treated steel case back, and engraved with PIECE UNIQUE and BLACK BAY CERAMIC ONE, this special Only Watch model redefines the term “dark horse.”
Estimate: $4,500 - $5,500
Exo-Skeleton X by Ulysse Nardin
With a skeleton manufacture movement, wide-diameter 3Hz silicon balance wheel with nickel flyweights, flexible double blades between the lug and the case, and a white openworked "dial" representing molecular structure, this special Only Watch model is a technical marvel.
Estimate: $35,000 - $45,000
El Primero A386 Only Watch / 65.O386.400/69.C820 by Zenith
A unique dial execution with a special turquoise 3 o’clock subdial in a distinctive departure from the El Primero’s signature light grey, anthracite and blue counters. In a special anniversary year for the El Primero movement, this timepiece is extra-special.
Estimate: $19,900 - $29,900
