This November will take part in Geneva the eighth biennial charity auction organised by OnlyWatch, to raise funds for the research on muscular dystrophy.
Many brands will take part to the auction, donating limited edition pieces or even prototypes. Waiting to see the results, we, ItalianWatchSpotter, selected a few timepieces that we think deserve an in-depth look.
F.P. Journe Astronomic Blue
The Genevan maison, founded in 1999 by Francòis-Paul Journe has as its motto “Invenit et fecit”, to mean that everything that’s designed it’s produced directly in their manufacture.
This year they will attend OnlyWatch with a very astonishing model: the new (and unique) Astronomic Blue.
It’s amazing how Journe could fit in a 44mm x 1.37 cm of thickness tantalum case, a manual caliber with 18 complications (prototype cal.1619) operated by a single crown at 3.
The dial, unique for OnlyWatch, it’s in chromated blue with silver parts and displays almost all the complication this magnificent timekeeper is equipped with.
Starting at 12, we have the day/night indication, with sunrise and sunset.
One big orange hand, that recalls the color of the strap, shows the main time, while the two subdials display minutes and second time zone (at 3) and sidereal hours and minutes (at 9). Below these we find on the left a running-seconds wheel, and on the right the moonphase. At 6 o’clock, the power reserve “restores” the simmetry that’s been started by the day/night indicator.
The back, admirable thru the transparent caseback, it’s as spectacular as the front.
A little blue indicator displays the date and serves as annual calendar on a white disk that goes around the whole movement. A clearly visible hand indicates the equation of time in the center while at 3 we find a big Tourbillon with “Remontoir d’egalitè”.
To conclude, visible on the left side, the minute repeater slide makes this watch a unique jewel that will not disappoint the expectations of €270.000 – 539.000.
Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime
There are many factors that make this Patek Philippe something truly unique. The first surely is the use of steel for the case, rare material for a brand’s grand-complication and never seen before on a Grandmaster Chime.
If we combine this with two dials, a black one for the calendar and a salmon for the time, it’s easy to see why this watch represents a dream for many.
The Grandmaster Chime incorporates 20 complications in a 47.7mm x 1.6 mm of thickness case, and it’s particularly remarkable for its five different chimes, two of which are waiting for world record awarding.
(We’re talking about an acoustic alarm that rings a predetermined time and a date-repeater that rings a chosen date)
To further remind the uniqueness of this piece, Patek Philippe included, at 12 in the time-dial, the print “The only one” and will offer to the auction winner a private factory tour, a lunch with the president Thierry Stern and a visit to their museum in Geneva.
The estimated price of this steel only-piece is €1,800,000 – 2,200,000.
DeBethune X Urwerk
One of horology’s most awaited collaborations is finally not a dream anymore.
Creativity and expertise from two of the most interesting independent brands have been matched in a timekeeper that embodies characteristic traits from both, enhancing them.
On one side we find the typical floating lugs by DeBethune, the particular titanium oxidation and spherical moon phase. On the other side, a very Urwerk-ish case, without a dial and with a domed sapphire crystal that shows the distinctive satellite hours. The only common element to both maisons is the crown at 12, already featured both in DeBethune’s and Urwerk’s watches.
Expectations are thrilling and rumors about this watch leave us very curious to see the end result. Of course, our hope is that this collaboration won’t be limited to a single piece.
For this watch, the estimated price is €126,000 – 162,000.
H.Moser&Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept Only Watch
It was last September when the first Moser Endeavour with the Vantablack dial was released.
As unexpected as fascinating, this material is capable of absorbing 99.965% of light, making it the blackest black ever.
The complication is not far behind, with a variation of one day every 1.027,3 years.
However, the Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept was paired with another red gold version with a stunning blue fumè dial (also limited to 50 pieces).
The model presented for OnlyWatch’s auction unites the Vantablack dial to the red gold case, giving birth to an outstanding piece unique.
The estimated price for this piece is around €31,000 – 40,000.
RICHARD MILLE RM 11-03 McLaren
The Richard Mille RM 11-03 is one of the brand’s best sellers, almost impossible to find in boutiques due to its enormous success.
Perfectly combining style canons from McLaren with Richard Mille’s, the 11-03 is a watch born from the track.
Powered by the cal.RMAC3 in titanium with flyback chronograph, the case is in TPT Carbon and TPT Orange Quartz, with a McLaren-signed insert at 6 and a grade-5 titanium crown shaped as a wheel.
The example we’re looking at is not just a 11-03, but the prototype, impossible to find on the market or anywhere else. For this watch, the estimated price is €198,000 – 225,000, that will probably be exceeded due to its rarity.
Once again, Richard Mille and McLaren will offer to the lucky buyer an “extra-horology” experience: a day on the track with the pilot Bruno Senna and a private visit to McLaren Technology Centre.
And many others…
These are our top 5, but the auction offers many other remarkable pieces you can admire in detail at OnlyWatch website and of which you can find pictures below.
Translated by Lorenzo Spolaor (@lorenzospolaor)
