John Reardon has spent over two decades in the watch business and was until recently International Head of Watches at Christie’s auction house. He remains Senior International Consultant for Christie’s watch department, and earlier this year founded his own watch consultancy, Collectability, specialising in all things Patek Philippe.
What’s the most interesting lot for you in this year’s Only Watch auction?
No surprise that my pick is the unique steel Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime. There are some pieces that transcend time and place and this 6300A will be one we will be talking about for decades, perhaps even longer.
Which lot do you think is an underdog that will surprise us all?
The Audemars Piguet 11.59 Openworked Tourbillon simply needs to be put on the wrist to truly experience it. Pictures just don't do it justice. The two-tone case construction, the movement, and the attention to detail to every aspect of this watch will bring a well-deserved result at the end of the day for this exceptional watch.
Which lot best represents for you the spirit of Only Watch?
As a father, the MB&F + L'Épée Tom & T-Rex really speaks to me about how imagination and boldness can help overcome hardship and illness. This is the spirit of Only Watch.
Which brand(s) do you think has(have) really gone above and beyond this year in creating something special for Only Watch?
The F.P. Journe Astronomic Blue. This watch left me speechless.
If you could personally have any one of the Only Watch lots, which would it be?
No secret that I want the Akrivia Chronometre. I couldn't take it off my wrist at the exhibition. The combined brilliance of Rexhep Rexhepi and Jean-Pierre Hagmann make this unique execution the watch for me.
Marine Lemonnier-Brennan is a watch industry veteran of 15 years, building an expertise in media and public relations based on her early career in television. Her unparalleled network and reputation in the horological world precede her, forming a natural domain for her work at 289 Consulting, which she founded in 2018. Marine has been a jury member of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève since 2018.
What’s the most interesting lot for you in this year’s Only Watch auction?
Lot 15, the De Bethune x Urwerk. A very original collaboration. Creative. Surprising. Très réussie !
Which lot do you think is an underdog that will surprise us all?
Lot 49, the Akrivia. Rexhep Rexhepi is a young prodigy. For his first participation, he comes with a piece that is a reinterpretation of his famed “Chronomètre Contemporain”. Quintessence of the contemporary style with a traditional approach. Extreme sober sophistication. High desirability.
Which lot best represents for you the spirit of Only Watch?
Lot 28, the Patek Philippe. It’s when nothing obligates you to do something and you do it anyway that the gesture becomes special.
Which brand(s) do you think has(have) really gone above and beyond this year in creating something special for Only Watch?
Patek Philippe, because nonetheless they have created something rare and exceptional, and above all with only one pure objective: to raise significative financial support for Luc Pettavino and his efforts to drive research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This is pure, special. Because Only Watch is first and foremost, about beautiful people, sincere generosity, powerful positive energy and love.
F.P. Journe for his consistent and significant support of Only Watch by presenting an amazing prototype this year. Also in the same spirit: Not only support a very worthwhile cause, but also to present new technical innovations, which contributes to make the event even more special.
Voutilainen. A first collaboration with his daughter. Because this a family affair, just as Only Watch is one, too.
If you could personally have any one of the Only Watch lots, which would it be?
Lot 22, the MB&F, because Tom takes our inner child’s imagination on a journey that blends fantasy with technology. He also reminds us why Luc Pettavino started this amazing and unique project. Paul would have been so proud of his beloved father.
Jasem Al Zeraei is perhaps better known by his Instagram handle, Patekaholic, where he shares his passion for fine watchmaking and inspires young aspiring watch collectors all over the world. Based in Kuwait, Jasem is celebrated for his longtime support and comprehensive knowledge of watchmaking, and has been a member of the jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève since 2019.
What’s the most interesting lot for you in this year’s Only Watch auction?
The Journe Astronomic Blue.
Which lot do you think is an underdog that will surprise us all?
The Audemars Piguet Code 11:59 Tourbillon Open Work.
Which lot best represents for you the spirit of Only Watch?
The Journe; I think the unique movement coupled with a superb execution of this timepiece truly embodies the importance of the auction and François-Paul’s efforts to go above and beyond to produce a real, unique, authentic, rare gem.
Which brand(s) do you think has(have) really gone above and beyond this year in creating something special for Only Watch?
Sorry to sound boring, but F.P. Journe again.
If you could personally have any one of the Only Watch lots, which would it be?
This is where I draw the line. Patek, Patek and Patek.
Author, journalist and WorldTempus contributor Roberta Naas is known for her insightful articles that offer a different perspective on watchmaking. A mainstay of North American horological journalism, Roberta can also be found on her various travels all over the world, discovering new watches and sharing her appreciation for fine timepieces.
What’s the most interesting lot for you in this year’s Only Watch auction?
The F.P.Journe Astronomic Blue watch because it represents some firsts for him, it is made of tantalum and houses a prototype movement.
Which lot do you think is an underdog that will surprise us all?
Maurice Lacroix Aikon Mercury watch with freehands. Not necessarily a brand thought to be amongst the highest technologically, but it comes out with a great concept that is fun and intriguing.
Which lot best represents for you the spirit of Only Watch?
MB&F Tom & T-Rex. By putting a tiny Murano glass Tom on the T-Rex so that he could be on top of the world, taken around by a dream dinosaur, MB&F captured the spirit of the Only Watch cause and brought the disease home in a poignant manner. Czapek is a close second with its engraving "courage every second" written on the hand.
Which brand(s) do you think has(have) really gone above and beyond this year in creating something special for Only Watch?
While all of the brands go above and beyond when it comes to product, I think we have to give credit to the brands that considered the spirit of today's collectors and offered experiences as part of their lot — six brands went above and beyond.... you can find out about those here.
If you could personally have any one of the Only Watch lots, which would it be?
Hate to sound cliche' but The Patek Philippe Grand Master Chime. It has everything I need.
Brice Lechevalier needs no introduction to the readers of WorldTempus as the director of our parent company, GMT Publishing. He founded GMT magazine in 2000, and as the premier entrepreneur in the world of horological media, is uniquely known in and out of the industry, to CEOs and watch enthusiasts alike.
What’s the most interesting lot for you in this year’s Only Watch auction?
To me, the most interesting is, without surprise, the Patek Philippe because it’s the most interesting for Only Watch in terms of fundraising and also because Patek Philippe has been building something from the very beginning of their participation in Only Watch. They have added layers and layers and are now coming with what is probably going to be the ultimate Patek Philippe unique piece for Only Watch, I guess. It is the top of the pyramid of what have been done so far.
Which lot do you think is an underdog that will surprise us all?
I am hesitating between the Jaquet Droz and the Breguet because there are lots of understatements in them. It is a bit disruptive compared to what they usually do these days and they both have a strong community.
Which lot best represents for you the spirit of Only Watch?
The one that represents the best the spirit of Only Watch is De Bethune x Urwerk because Only Watch is about getting people together, connecting watches, connecting the watchmaking community and that is what De Bethune and Urwerk are doing by combining their forces and creating a completely unique piece which you can still relate to both brands.
Which brand(s) do you think has(have) really gone above and beyond this year in creating something special for Only Watch?
F. P. Journe has done something completely new and out of the blue — a brand new collection, brand new case, brand new dial, brand new functions, brand new colours.
If you could personally have any one of the Only Watch lots, which would it be?
If I could get one of those, I would choose the H. Moser & Cie. because it makes you feel very peaceful and, at the same time, you can see the light in the dark with this moon, which is synonymous of hope too.
