There’s no doubt that Only Watch, the biennial charity auction featuring one-of-a-kind timepieces sold to benefit children suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is an event as unique as the watches themselves. Over the years, the calibre of watches has grown steadily, and this year looks set to be the most successful ever. The highlight piece in the 2019 edition of Only Watch is the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime (read our articles here and here, but it’s not the only horologically stunning piece going under the hammer this November. Here are five more of the most anticipated high-watchmaking timepieces participating in Only Watch 2019.
Akrivia
Chronomètre Contemporain
The wunderkind of modern independent watchmaking, Rexhep Rexhepi, is taking part in the Only Watch auction for the first time, with a unique version of his award-winning Chronomètre Contemporain timepiece. Underlining the spirit of unity and collaboration that characterises the Only Watch event, the case of the Chronomètre Contemporain Only Watch is crafted in platinum by Jean-Pierre Hagmann, renowned artisanal casemaker.
FP Journe
Bleu astronomique
The official estimate (CHF 300,000–600,000) is hilariously low on this timepiece, which is not only a unique edition, but a highly complicated prototype from a brand that is known for its strong auction performance and is much beloved by high-end collectors. The signature FP Journe remontoir d’égalité is on display, as is a mind-melting array of astronomical complications including the incredibly esoteric equation of time and sidereal time indication. Oh, and did we mention the minute repeater?
Grönefeld Watches
1941 Remontoire
The horological brothers, as Bart and Tim Grönefeld call themselves, launched their G-05 calibre in 2016 in a run of 188 pieces. The timepiece itself has become something of a cult object in a very specific niche, comprising the hyper-knowledgeable and well-heeled segment of watch collectors. The last calibre in this limited run now inhabits the 1941 Remontoire Only Watch edition, sporting a unique frosted dial.
H. Moser & Cie
Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept Only Watch
The Endeavour is the most mature watch in the H. Moser & Cie range, having existed in one aesthetic form or another for the longest period of time compared to the other collections (Venturer, Pioneer, the witty and acerbic Swiss Alp). It’s fitting that the company’s Only Watch contribution makes use of a material of cutting-edge optical properties to complement the established case design. Vantablack is trademarked as a colour, but its intense blackness is made possible only by a patented configuration of carbon nanotubes that forms the dial of the Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept Only Watch. All the better to showcase the ultra-accurate moon phase.
Voutilainen
TP1 Pocket Watch
You’re not wrong if you pick up a family motif running through all these watches. Kari Voutilainen, long known for his immaculate blend of fine traditional watchmaking with eye-popping decoration (not to mention his proprietary variant of natural escapement) is making his 2019 contribution to Only Watch a family affair. The Voutilainen TP1 Pocket Watch is a first collaboration between Kari and his daughter, Venla, who has recently graduated from watchmaking school. The movement, a vintage LeCoultre ébauche, is finished to Voutilainen’s customary high standards and the dial is a finely guilloché showcase of the expertise possessed by his Comblémine dial factory.
