François-Paul Journe has thrown his personal support behind the Only Watch charity auction raising money for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
In an open letter published on the F.P. Jounne Instagram feed, he says he has total confidence in the fundraiser’s founder Luc Pettavino, whose son died of DMD.
Mr Journe says he knows Mr Pettavino well, and describes him as “a remarkable man”.
There have been questions raised over the transparency of how Only Watch has spent $100 million that has been raised through auctions of unique timepieces since 2005, and suggestions that its patronage of Prince Albert of Monaco, a notoriously secretive principality, has made the operation more opaque.
Mr Journe refutes this, saying he welcomes Monaco as an effective guarantor of the charity project.
“What is important is to pursue this engagement, which is why I remain alongside Only Watch! Because when this terrible sickness [DMD], which kills the majority afflicted before they reach the age of 20, is beaten, I will be proud to say that I contributed, ” he concludes.
