When you have all the money in the world, it is money-can’t-buy experiences and philanthropy that take on greater significance.
A unique watch produced by Jacob & Co for November’s Only Watch charity auction is a fine timepiece, but add in a meeting and greet with Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player ever to have graced a football field, and the value of the auction lot rockets, and so does the sum likely to be raised for charity.
“When we decided to participate in Only Watch, we knew that we had to do something spectacular,” says Jacob Arabo, founder of Jacob & Co.
“Producing a piece unique watch that pairs horology and extraordinary gem-setting with an exclusive experience, getting the chance to meet one of modern football’s living legends, Lionel Messi, makes this Only Watch lot out of this world. I hope it will raise a great deal of money for the cause.”
“One of the reasons for the collaboration with Jacob & Co. was precisely to work on social projects,” says Mr Messi.
Only Watch is the watch world’s biggest charity fundraisers of the year. It takes place in Geneva on November 9 with 52 watchmakers donating special edition timepieces and experiences that will be auctioned to raise money for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“Congratulations and thank you to Only Watch for giving us the opportunity to auction a watch from the Jacob & Messi limited edition collection to combat such a sad illness as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. And thanks in advance to the people who will bid on the watch – it will be pleasure to meet the final buyer,” Mr Messi says.
The Jacob & Co watch is called the Epic X Chrono Messi “Only Watch” Special Edition.
It has a 47mm titanium and white gold case set with 36 baguette-cut blue sapphires on the 18ct white gold bezel.
Its multi-layered blue dial has Mr Messi’s shirt number 10 at the 10 second mark and his personal logo at 6 o’clock.
The Only Watch auction lot from Jacob & Co. includes a meeting Mr Messi where he will pose for photographs and sign memorabilia.
The pre-auction estimate of $70,000 to $100,000 looks like a bargain.
