Only Watch 2017

[dropcap size=small]O[/dropcap]nly Watch is set to return to Geneva in November, making it the second time the charity auction will be held in the epicenter of haute horlogerie since its first edition in 2005.

The biennial fundraiser raises money for research on muscular dystrophy and is co-founded by Luc Pettavino, President of Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies (AMM). The latter was the former CEO and shareholder of the Monaco Yacht Show for nearly two decades.

Since 2001, he has been working with AMM on therapeutic solutions for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a condition which afflicted his son Paul who passed away last November at the age of 21.

To date, the first six editions of Only Watch has raised over 25 million euros which AMM has contributed to international scientific and medical research on DMD.

(RELATED: 7 of the most striking tonneau-shaped watches in 2017.)

The auction is also organised under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and the seventh edition gathers a record 48 participating brands, plus two special projects created by a high-end movement manufacturer and a watchmaking school.

For the first time, Christie’s will be conducting the auction which will take place at Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues in Geneva on Nov 11.

Before the watches go under the hammer, they will tour ten cities around the world. It kicks off at the Monaco Yacht Show from September 27 to 30, and includes a stop in Singapore on Oct 5 to 6 at The Hour Glass Malmaison at Knightsbridge (270 Orchard Road #01-01).

Beyond the watches, there will also be money-can’t-buy experiences packaged with some of the timepieces so the auction winners can also get to meet brand ambassadors or attend events usually reserved for VIPs.

Here is a sneak preview of some of the unique pieces this year.

For more information on the auction and the watches, check www.onlywatch.com.

Story first appeared on The Business Times.