After the unique Patek Philippe 5208T for Only Watch 2017 we just introduced to you, you might think that you’ve seen the best of the upcoming charity auction… but you’d be wrong, as F.P.Journe will have a unique Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante (the first split-seconds he ever created), with the usual tantalum / blue chrome combination. And that is quite something!
Only Watch 2017, the biennial charity auction, just unveiled its highly special pieces… and because we know that many of you will ask for it, here is the big one, the unique, titanium Patek Philippe 5208T, made for the 7th edition of Only Watch.
Treat yourself with a good cause… Only watch 2017, the much-awaited 7th edition of the biennial fundraiser for research on muscular dystrophy, will soon reveal its unique pieces. We took some time to talk with Luc Pettavino, President of Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies (AMM) and founder of Only Watch, who gives us a sneak peek of the 2017 edition.
Almost vintage… Indeed, this might be a bit provocative, however do consider that what you see here is a time-capsule, enclosing 20 years of history. That’s right, the everlasting young and creative brand URWERK is celebrating this year two decades of bold and unchained horological creations. So, well, vintage… Maybe not! Extremely collectible… Most definitely, as Christie’s Watches Online is now having for sale three of the earliest URWERK watches, which is quite a rare opportunity to get your hands on a piece of the independent scene’s history.
As reported to you here a few weeks ago, Moser, in association with auction house Christie’s, was about to donate two of its most provocative watches, however with a loyal goal hidden behind: preserving the traditions of the Swiss Watchmaking industry and making sure that this expertise, unique in the world, will survive – and as you know, Moser is a fervent defender of the Swiss production, but not of the Swiss Made label. Yesterday, the final amount realised as the hammer fell was rather impressive.
As reported to you here a few weeks ago, Moser, in association with auction house Christie’s, was about to donate two of its most provocative watches, however with a loyal goal hidden behind: preserving the traditions of the Swiss Watchmaking industry and making sure that this expertise, unique in the world, will survive – and as you know, Moser is a fervent defender of the Swiss production, but not of the Swiss Made label. Yesterday, the final amount realised as the hammer fell was rather impressive.
Here is the story: Dr. Crott Auctioneers is about to auction what COULD be (and that “could” is extremely important to keep in mind…) a Rolex Rattrapante Pocket Watch. This combination Rolex / Rattrapante / Pocket Watch is, considering the immense literature about Rolex, something never seen before. So what do we have here? Potentially one of the rarest and most important Rolex watches ever? A superb example of limited (maybe unique) production by the Crown? Or an example of re-encasing work done by one of those vintage magicians? What is certain though, is that we are facing a highly interesting mystery (found thanks to watch journalist Gregory Pons).
Since a few months now, you probably heard about the #MakeSwissMadeGreatAgain concept launched by independent watchmaker H. Moser & Cie. With a certain love for unconventional marketing gimmicks and an ironical way of exposing the reality of the Swiss Made label, the brand made some noise. Yet, behind this, there’s a wish of promoting the real Swiss Watchmaking industry, the one we all love as collectors. Today, in order to preserve Swiss watchmaking traditions, Christie’s and H. Moser & Cie. join forces, with an upcoming auction of the Cheese Swiss Mad Watch and Swiss Alp Watch Prototype (as a start of a long term relation).
In the 1980s you may have read perhaps a few entertaining books by Jackie Collins, who passed away on September 19, 2015 at the age of 77. She was a very wealthy woman after 47 years of publishing bestselling romance novels, and now Bonhams is set to auction her estate of 1,000 lots for an estimated total of $3 million on May 16 and 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, and there are a few interesting watches included. In fact, I’d say surprising watches.
Many watch auctions appear to be dominated by notable sales of Rolex and Patek Philippe timepieces. And I’ve nothing against those two lovely brands, but the world of big auctions is becoming ever more monotone. Here are some genuinely exotic, decidedly out-of-the-ordinary timepieces currently on offer at Christie’s Important Watches auction, which takes place in Dubai on March 19, 2017.