The Only Watch charity auction, which raises money for Muscular Dystrophy research, takes place in Geneva on November 11.
Here, and in linked articles, WatchPro features unique watches created specially for the sale by the world’s leading watchmakers. The auction is being managed and run by Christie’s, which will accept bids both in the saleroom and online.
ANDERSEN GENÈVE
TEMPUS TERRAE ONLY WATCH 2017 PIÈCE UNIQUE
Estimate: CHF 45,000 – 50,000
For ONLYWATCH 2017, ANDERSEN Genève has created its first bi-colour “Tempus Terrae” with a White gold bezel, a Red gold case and a White gold hunter case back. Bi-colour cases are part of the unique collection “Montre à Tact” for more than 20 years.
This “one off” creation has been manufactured with emblematic “broken lugs” and two crowns for the “Tempus Terrae 25th Anniversary”. The rotor of the movement and the centre of the dial are made of exclusive 21ct “BlueGold” with hand guilloché “Tapisserie” texture. Brushed “A” shaped Andersen hands remain as discreet as possible though give a clear visibility of time.
As an additional refinement the “Andersen Genève” logo was removed from the centre of the dial and replaced by the “A” logo above MONACO. The “A” logo also defines the crown to set the time. The second crown to set Timezones has the “TT Tempus Terrae” logo.
ARMIN STROM
MANUAL HUNT SLONEM EDITION FOR ONLY WATCH
Estimate: CHF 10,500 – 18,500
In cooperation with the American artist Hunt Slonem, famous for his highly original works, the ARMIN STROM watchmakers have created a timepiece which represents a spectacular fusion of creative art and mechanical craftsmanship.
This unique piece combines the signature of the New York artist who enjoys a prestigious international reputation with the unmistakable style of the Swiss watch manufacturer. The titanium case of the ARMIN STROM Manual Hunt Slonem Edition for Only Watch houses the manually wound AMW11 calibre with off-center time display and small seconds.
Its open worked spring barrel provides a 5 day power-reserve. The plate and bridges of the manufactured calibre feature sophisticated decoration and are hand-engraved. The dial side serves as a screen onto which Hunt Slonem’s contemporary art has been transferred. Together with the watch, the successful future bidder will be acquiring a hand-signed original which takes up the colours and motifs of the timepiece in a 46 cm x 31 cm format.
Arnold & Son
TIME PYRAMID ONLY WATCH
Estimate: CHF 25,000 – 35,000
Inspired by the regulators created by John and Roger Arnold over two hundred years ago, and by antique British skeleton clocks, the Arnold & Son Time Pyramid offers a highly cohesive and seductive blend of watchmaking feats that includes regulator, skeleton, vertical linear movement, pyramid-placement of components and multi-dimensional depth.
For the unique Time Pyramid Only Watch 2017, the entire timepiece is given a bold, contemporary execution. The stainless steel case is given a black DLC treatment, while the skeletonized and symmetrical calibre A&S1615 receives a black ADLC coating, offering a striking contrast against traditional haute horlogerie hand-applied finishing and decoration.
Further highlighting the unique execution of the Time Pyramid Only Watch 2017 are the red accents throughout, adding a vibrant touch to the blacked-out timepiece and recalling the Principality of Monaco’s official color. The hands of the two power reserve indicators (one per barrel) are painted red, as are the hour and minute hands and Roman numerals on the sapphire dial. The anthracite alligator strap adds the final touch with its red stitching.
Audemars Piguet
ROYAL OAK PERPETUAL CALENDAR ONLY WATCH
Estimate: CHF 80,000 – 120,000
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in black ceramic – Only Watch piece unique – evokes the last moments of light cast by the sun as darkness descends on the evening sky, reflected by the ‘skylight’ blue Grande Tapisserie dial, polished counters in solid grey gold and orange-tinted photo realistic moon.
Juxtaposed against the entirely hand-finished black ceramic Royal Oak case, bezel and bracelet, the transition from the blue, orange and silver dusk to the pitch black of night is a powerful combination.
In addition to the unique dial, the Only Watch unique piece is the first black ceramic perpetual calendar wristwatch to feature a black ceramic caseback with sapphire display back revealing a unique hand-finished black oscillating mass.
Barbier Mueller
MOSAÏQUE BY BARBIER MUELLER
Estimate: CHF 110,000 – 200,000
Made entirely in Geneva, the MOSAÏQUE by Barbier-Mueller timepiece pays homage to fine Genevan watchmaking and to the decorative arts. The entire piece, from the dial to the rose gold case, features a subtle cloisonné motif that evokes the art of mosaics, which dates from the end of the fourth century B.C.
In a reference to the pocket watch, the back has a cover that is similarly decorated. When opened, it reveals its heart – a mechanical gold movement designed by the Genevan manufacture FPJourne – Invenit&Fecit-, thus definitively confirming the horological legitimacy of this exclusive series.
The MOSAÏQUE by Barbier-Mueller – with its rose gold case, ideally showcases the play of light over the coloured jasper stones. On the back, the decorated case cover features a small central platinum disk that is like a powerful, protective talisman, and bears the engraved words ONLY WATCH and the number 7 – remembering the years of the OW auction project.
Underneath, the 18 ct. rose gold movement, based on the FPJourne 1304 calibre, displays the supreme elegance of mechanical horology.
BELL & ROSS
BR-X1 R.S.17 ONLY WATCH
Estimate: CHF 22,000 – 28,000
Bell & Ross and the Renault Sport Formula One™ Team, two prestigious French brands that share the same values and the same passion for the pinnacle of motor sports, are delighted to partner for this new auction.
As the official watchmaking partner of the Renault Sport Formula One™ Team, Bell & Ross has designed the BR-X1 RS17 Only Watch specially for the occasion. This exclusive piece integrates the latest technological advances and state of the art materials.
It boasts all the elements essential to a chronograph watch designed for racing drivers. Highly sophisticated, its skeleton mechanism allows its gears to be admired from behind the grey-tinted sapphire crystal. The skeleton chronograph movement combines haute horlogerie finishes and extreme lightness. The instrument features an innovative design, with a carbon case protected by a “belt” made from high-tech ceramic and rubber to act as a guard.
The dial is dressed in the colours of the on-board instruments of the Renault Sport Formula One™ Team R.S.17 car. The “rocker” type push-buttons, used for activating the chronograph function, allow a great accuracy. For the best grip, the pushers are done in high-tech ceramics, capped with yellow rubber. The bezel features a tachymeter scale, a measuring device used to calculate race speeds.
As well as acquiring this unique model, the lucky bidder will be invited to join the Renault Sport Formula One™ Team, at the last race of the championship in Abu Dhabi at the end of November. The guest will be welcomed by the team, meets the drivers and also receive the race gloves worn by Nico Hülkenberg, for the Grand Prix.
For Only Watch 2017, Blancpain reinterprets one its iconic models.
The Fifty Fathoms, created in 1953, was the first modern diving watch. In the wake of its adoption by the French Navy’s combat swimmers corps for which it was initially designed, this timepiece was ordered by some of the most powerful navies in the world.
In 1957-1958, Jean-Jacques Fiechter, CEO at the time, added a first additional element to his diving watch: a circular water-resistance indicator, which was to become a standard-issue feature on watches worn by American combat swimmers.
BOUCHERON
ÉPURE BLÉ D’ÉTÉ
Estimate: CHF 25,000 – 30,000
From the very founding of the Maison in 1858, Frédéric Boucheron used wild flora as a source of Inspiration. Nature according to Boucheron is free, proud and wild. No flowers tamed or arranged. During the Second Empire, the Empress Eugénie latched on to wild flowers. As prosperous times and imperial celebrations followed, Boucheron’s creations danced among the splendid finery of the women of the court. The jeweler’s aesthetic bias took shape: that of a flower not shaped by man’s hand.
Wheat conveys a symbolism between fantasy and reality. Emblem of the Egyptian god Osiris who they say created it; golden wheat symbolizes fertility and wealth. It is often represented in pictorial art for its many positive attributes and golden colours associated with the Sun. Today, Epure Blé d’été reinterprets into a contemporary creation the wheat allegories and the jewelry vision: celebrating the happiest moments of life.
The Maison Boucheron joins the Only Watch project to also offer a unique experience during the Cannes 2018 Film Festival. Have you ever thought of experiencing Cannes in the same way as the biggest names of the Cinema? Wait no longer and meet us there in May next year. You will stay at the Majestic and discover the new Boucheron high jewelry collection in preview.
BOVET
SECRET BEAUTY FOR ONLY WATCH
Estimate: CHF 55,000 – 60,000
The house of BOVET has been a leading name in watchmaking for 195 years thanks to its mastery of the decorative arts. The miniature paintings adorning the pocket watches manufactured by the BOVET brothers are omnipresent in watchmaking and art museums worldwide.
Yet traditional craftsmanship does not preclude innovation, as nobly illustrated by the technicality applied to the creation of this timepiece dial. The Geisha hand-painted on the dial of this timepiece combines different layers of traditional painting and Super-LumiNova®, rendering this miniature work of art, affixed to mother-of-pearl, visible both by day and by night.
For Only Watch, the artisans at BOVET 1822 have gone even further, as the Geisha bares all when night falls. This unprecedented innovation in watchmaking makes the link between the traditional enamelwork that established the House’s reputation in the 19th century and the erotic watches of the same period.
Mr Pascal Raffy has the pleasure to invite the acquirer of the timepiece to the Artists for Peace and Justice Gala dinner (for two people) Brilliant is Beautiful, which will take place on December 1, 2017, in London. The charity supported by Pascal Raffy and BOVET 1822 will be represented by its founder, film director Paul Haggis and by Mrs Elisabeth Hurley. They will be supported by numerous celebrities gathered around a dinner prepared by the Chef to her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom. This invitation also includes one hotel night.
BREGUET
CLASSIQUE QUANTIÈME PERPÉTUREL EN LIGNE
Estimate: CHF 80,000 – 100,000
Breguet and its President & CEO, Marc A. Hayek, are once again taking part in Only Watch, the industry’s unmissable philanthropic event.
Loyal since 2005 to the Monaco Association against Muscular Dystrophy, the Manufacture will dedicate a Classique 7715 with in-line perpetual calendar to this worthy cause.
This special one-of-a-kind model depicts the passing of time with elegance and accuracy. The time indicators are complemented by the display of the days, months, dates and years ensuring optimal capabilities and impeccable legibility.
This original design results in an seemingly simple timepiece distinguished by a sense of visual balance and purity. The silvered gold dial, finely hand-engraved on a rose engine, highlights the traditional “Clous de Paris” hobnail motif. On the back of the watch, a sapphire crystal reveals the technical sophistication of this Only Watch special model, driven by a self-winding movement.
