The world-famous watch auction "Only Watch" is finally here. We've picked out 25 models that caught our eye!

The 9th annual biennial charity auction, "Only Watch," will be held in Geneva on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at 2:00 PM (10:00 PM Japan time). We will introduce the unique pieces that will be auctioned, along with actual photos.

Charity auctions gain momentum every year

　Only Watch is a biennial auction that has been gaining attention every year, featuring over 50 watch brands creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. The ninth edition will be held at Palexpo, an event venue in Geneva, on Saturday, November 6, 2021, from 2:00 PM (10:00 PM Japan time).

Only Watch is a charity auction organized by the Monaco Association of Muscular Dystrophy, the brainchild of Prince Albert II of Monaco, with the aim of raising funds for research into the treatment of neuromuscular diseases, particularly muscular dystrophy, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Muscular dystrophy, a disease caused by genetic abnormalities, is a designated intractable disease with an estimated 25,000 or more patients in Japan. It is a muscle disease that gradually weakens muscles due to a mutation in a gene necessary for muscle formation. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the protein "dystrophin," which is important for maintaining muscle structure, is not produced, leading to muscle weakness and other problems.

Since the first event in 2005, the number of brands supporting this charity activity has increased with each event, and to date, the event has raised more than 40 million Swiss francs (approximately 4,989,370,000 yen: 1 Swiss franc = 124.73 yen, as of November 5, 2021, same below), all of which has been directly returned to research funds.

25 unique pieces that our editorial team is looking out for

Only Watch typically unveils each unique piece at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, then holds a traveling exhibition in major cities around the world. This year, due to the COVID-9 pandemic, there were doubts as to whether the traveling exhibition could go ahead, but the brand successfully completed its world tour.

Starting in Monaco, the tour will travel to Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Geneva. In Japan, an exhibition was held at Christie's Tokyo office from October 8th to 10th, 2021, giving our editorial team the opportunity to see the actual watches in person. Here, we will introduce a number of noteworthy unique pieces.

LOT 41 / Patek Philippe "Complicated Desk Clock"

One item that is attracting particular attention at this Only Watch auction is the Patek Philippe complicated desk clock, Ref. 27001M-001. Equipped with the new movement, Cal. 86-135 PEND IRM Q SE, it features a perpetual calendar, moon phase, week display, and approximately 31-day power reserve, and is adjusted to within ±1 second per day, making it an astonishing piece.

To achieve this, Patek Philippe has applied for nine patents. The work on display this time is based on a historic desk clock that Patek Philippe supplied to American automobile magnate James Ward Packard in June 1923. The original is a precious item currently preserved at the Patek Philippe Museum.

LOT45 / Richard Mille "RM 67-02 Charles Leclerc Prototype"

This prototype was created in collaboration with Charles Leclerc, a young racing driver from Monaco. The RM67-02 is an existing model, but the materials and coloring have been customized to create a unique design. The case is made of lightweight, shock-resistant Quartz TPT®, and the main parts of the movement are made of titanium, making this an extremely light and durable driver's watch.

LOT6 / Audemars Piguet "Royal Oak 15202 "Jumbo" Extra-Thin Only Watch"

The Ref. 15202 is the last model to feature the Cal. 2121 movement, which was first used in the Royal Oak in 1972. It's notable for being the first to use bulk metallic glass, a palladium-based alloy, for the studs connecting the octagonal bezel, case back, and bracelet. Extremely hard and corrosion-resistant, this material has properties similar to glass, and its mirror finish allows it to brilliantly reflect light.

LOT35 / Louis Vuitton "Tambour Curve GMT Flying Tourbillon Only Watch 2021"

This unique piece adds a touch of glamour to this year's new Tambour Curve GMT Flying Tourbillon. As its name suggests, the case curves dramatically from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock, and its unique exterior combines lightweight titanium with a dignified 18K pink gold finish. The uplifting, vivid orange color invites the owner on a journey.

LOT28 / Hublot "Big Bang Tourbillon Only Watch"

This unique piece features the orange theme color of Only Watch 2021, adorned on the bezel and strap. Hublot, which works with sapphire, has created a tourbillon with a sense of openness by using sapphire not only for the case but also for the bridge. This model is a different color. As the photo shows, the openness of the movement is unparalleled.

LOT17 / Chopard "Alpine Eagle XL Chrono Only Watch"

The Alpine Eagle, popular for its "luxury sports" design, a major trend in recent years, now features an XL Chrono with a flyback chronograph. The dial of this model is made of natural Swiss granite, rather than the iconic "eagle eye iris" design that characterizes the collection. A blend of various colors, including blue and green, creates an artistic piece.

LOT 08 / Bell & Ross "BR01 Cyberskull Sapphire Only Watch"

The "BR 01 Cyberskull Sapphire Only Watch" is a special limited edition model that has been upgraded for this auction from the "BR 01 Cyberskull" released in 2020. The key feature is that sapphire crystal is used for the case and skull. The case is cut from three pieces of sapphire crystal, and the skull dial is cut from six pieces of sapphire crystal.

The skull is painted in orange, the color that symbolizes this auction and is also the emergency color of Bell & Ross's aviation instruments. When the crown is turned to wind the mainspring, the jaws of the unique orange skull move, revealing a fearless grin, and the barrel can be seen peeking out from behind the lower jaw. Together with the anthracite balance wheel that forms the skull's brain, this creates a mechanical heartbeat.