The Surprising, Record-Breaking Results Of The ONLY WATCH Auction 2017

This Saturday evening, Christie’s in Geneva was the stage for ONLY WATCH 2017, a charity auction in which the proceeds are being used to help find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Watch brands donate unique watches to the auction, giving collectors and connoisseurs the opportunity to own a truly unique watch. While all watches did well, some did a bit better than others!

The Patek Philippe Ref.5208T-010 ended up being the topic of a bidding war between two Asian bidders and was eventually sold for CHF 6.200.000,-, nearly six time its high estimate. The reasons for this are almost evident, as a piece unique Patek Philippe is always one of the most desired timepieces. This one also combines an instantaneous perpetual calendar, with a chronograph and a minute repeater. Its case is crafted from titanium, which is a material very rarely used by Patek Philippe, making the watch all the more rare. Also, titanium is one of the best materials to make the case of a minute repeater from, as it carries the sound better than many other metals.

Tudor set a world record for most the most expensive watch of this brand ever sold at auction, as their piece unique Black Bay Bronze sold for CHF 350.000,-, while the watch had a high estimate of only CHF 5.500,-. With this, it takes the place of the former record holder, which was auctioned at the 2015 edition of ONLY WATCH. The growing popularity of the brand might play a role in this result, and also the fact that the brand never does unique pieces, other than for this very special auction.

Against a high estimate of CHF 400.000,- the F.P. Journe Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante Bleu sold very well, reaching a final bid of CHF 1.150.000,-. Specially developed for the ONLY WATCH auction did this watch feature a new monopusher rattrapante chronograph caliber, fitted in a 44mm tantalum case, and topped off with a stunning blue chrome dial.

The unique Hublot Big Bang UNICO Sapphire Usain Bolt, also nearly doubled its high estimate and was sold for CHF 150.000,-. The proud new owner will not only receive this very special sapphire encased Big Bang, but will also meet the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt himself, as part of placing the winning bid!

While we, as watch enthusiasts, look closely at the individual results of the watches that were auctioned, the biggest winner is, of course, the great cause for which the auction is raising funds. All lots combined brought in a staggering CHF 10.776.500,-, which is a generous two and a half times more as the highest estimate of all the watches combined in this auction. Even better is that the cost of the auction is only 1%, making 99% of this amount available for the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies, to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.