The Coolest Timepieces Of Only Watch 2021, Part I

By Martin Green July 5, 2021

What started in 2005 has grown to become one of the most epic biennial events in the world of watchmaking; Only Watch. As an initiative of Luc Pettavino, leading watch brands create every two years a piece unique, which they donate to Only Watch to help the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. These watches are auctioned, offering collectors a unique opportunity to obtain a very rare timepiece while supporting this amazing cause. This year the 9th edition takes place, and no less than 53 lots will be auctioned. These are some of our favorites:

Bovet Miss Audrey Sweet Fairy Only Watch
Bovet is bringing an entirely new decorating technique to this edition of Only Watch. The 36mm large watch, made from stainless steel and set with brilliant-cut diamonds, features a dial made of pure sugar crystals. This is a first in the world of watchmaking, which they combine with a charming miniature painting of a fairy. As the watch features Bovet’s signature Amadeo case, the timepiece can easily be transformed into a desk clock, pocket watch, or pendant. Estimate: CHF 45,000 – 70,000

Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Only Watch
Sapphire has become one of Hublot‘s signature specialities, and that becomes all the more clear with their contribution for Only Watch 2021. The Big Bang Tourbillon features a transparent sapphire case, but with a bezel made of orange sapphire. Matched by the hands and hour markers, this gives the watch quite some character. Due to its transparent nature, all the features of the Caliber HUB6035 can be admired in full. A micro-rotor dominates the twelve o’clock position, while the tourbillon occupies the lower part of the watch. Hublot offers this timepiece with two straps; one in Only Watch orange and the other one in white. Estimate: CHF 160,000 – 180,000

Zenith Defy Double Tourbillon Felipe Pantone
Zenith also goes for a sapphire cased watch, but adds further almost all the colors of the rainbow. The Defy Double Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is a true expression of art by this dynamic artist and comes with a signed watch box, as well as a work of art by his hand. This Defy doesn’t only stand out from a design point of view but also from a technical one, as Zenith has been able to create a rainbow effect in PVD on the bridges. Additionally, do the hands feature a rainbow varnish. Unique is also the movement, which features two tourbillons, one for the timekeeping and an additional one for the chronograph function. As both the tourbillons are visible on the left side of the watch, they offer quite a visual spectacle. Estimate: CHF 180,000 – 220,000

Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One Tourbillon
The Grande Seconde Skelet-One is one of Jaquet Droz’s most desirable watches in their current collection. For Only Watch, they happily raise the bar of this fantastic watch in an incredible way. By creating a geometric pattern and filling it with challenging plique-a-jour enamel, they create the effect of a stained glass window. Combined with a red gold case, the result is nothing less than spectacular. The Jaquet Droz is powered by caliber 2625SQ, a skeletonized automatic movement with a flying tourbillon. It also benefits from the latest silicon technology, which the brand uses for both the balance spring as well as the pallet horns. Estimate: CHF 160,000 – 200,000