Only Watch is back, and it is good news. For the breath of fresh air it brings to the sector, thanks to the proposal of more than 50 unique pieces produced by the biggest names in watchmaking, and for the entirely new meaning it takes on this year: it is a return to a tradition and an appointment that fortunately should be able to take place live.
The charity auction organised by Luc Pettavino, President of the Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies, under the High Patronage of HRH Prince Albert II, takes place every two years. 53 watches will go up for auction on 6 November 2021 in Geneva, in partnership with Christie's. As always, the proceeds will be donated to the Monegasque Association against Myopathies, to accelerate scientific research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that predominantly affects male children and manifests itself from early childhood.
Among the most successful watches, I include the latest unique piece of the Royal Oak 'Jumbo' Extra-Thin Ref. 15202, from Audemars Piguet. Unique because its case and bracelet combine sandblasted titanium with polished Bulk Metallic Glass (for the bezel). And unique because it will be the last powered by the Jaeger-LeCoultre-derived Calibre 2121, the thinnest automatic movement with a central rotor and date display of its time, first introduced on the Royal Oak in 1972.
Tudor is offering an original Black Bay GMT Master Chronometer, featuring a new aged-effect finish on the bracelet, case and even the movement. Given that there are already two Black Bay watches from Only Watch that have gone into production (slightly different), who knows if we won't also see this one in a series version in a year or two.
The most original model is probably the one created by François-Paul Journe, inspired by Francis Ford Coppola, in which a hand-shaped automaton tells the time.
