A biennial charity watch auction that raises money for medical research, Only Watch has just announced the 2021 event takes place in Geneva on November 6, along with most of the 53 unique timepieces that will go under the hammer.

Attended by the great and the good of Swiss watchmaking, Only Watch auctions have long enjoyed the support of leading watchmakers who exercise their best efforts to create one-off timepieces that are sold to support research into a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Only Watch was founded by Luc Pettavino, whose late son Paul was stricken by the illness. Mr Pettavino’s unfailing dedication to both Only Watch and his son’s memory has raised over €70 million to date.

Luc Pettavino at Only Watch 2019

Many of the unique timepieces created for the event are landmarks in themselves, explaining why Only Watch has traditionally been a venue for record-setting prices, most notably the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime ref. 6300A in steel that sold for CHF31 million in 2019.

Highlights this year include a Tudor Black Bay GMT in an aged-gunmetal finish, possibly the very last Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15202 (a model that will be discontinued at year’s end), and the imaginative F.P. Journe “Francis Ford Coppola”.

And what will likely be the most valuable lot in the auction is not a wristwatch, but instead the Patek Philippe desk clock ref. 27001M-001 inspired by a timekeeper made for automobile tycoon James Ward Packard in 1923.

We will cover each of the notable lots individually, so check out our other stories.

The Patek Philippe desk clock ref. 27001M-001

The F.P. Journe FFC Blue

Auction details

The 2021 auction is scheduled for 2:00 pm, November 6, at the Christie’s salesroom in the Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues. Bidding can be done in room or online, but registration with Christie’s will be required.

Prior to the auction, all 53 timepieces of Only Watch 2021 will embark on a five-city tour starting September in Monaco.

Tour schedule

Monaco – September 22-25, Monaco Yacht Show
Dubai – September 30-October 3, Christie’s
Tokyo – October 8-10, Christie’s
Singapore – October 15-20, Malmaison by The Hour Glass
Hong Kong – October 25-28, Christie’s
Geneva – November 4-6, Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues

For more, visit Onlywatch.com.