Want to be one of the only people on the planet wearing a watch that's almost as dark as a black hole? Or how about a watch with a living painting of a geisha on its dial?
Rich watch aficionados who want to get their hands on unique timepieces will face these and a dizzying array of other choices at the Only Watch Charity Auction, which will be run by Christie's in Geneva on Nov. 11.
The biennual auction, which raises money for the Monaco Association against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, is offering bidders a choice of 50 special edition, one-of-a-kind watches that were created by some of the biggest names in watchmaking specifically for the event. The watches seem to offer something for people of all manner of tastes, including timepieces that resonate with art, technology, master engineering and cutting-edge fashion. Prices also cover a wide range, with estimated values ranging from a few thousands dollars to over $1 million.
Online bids are accepted, with more information on the watches available at www.christies.com and www.onlywatch.com.
Following is a sample of some of the more interesting watches in the auction (photos are courtesy of Only Watch):
Secret Beauty
By Bovet
Estimated value: $56,363 to $61,487.
Bovet is known for the artistic miniature paintings that adorn its watch dials, and this special edition watch doesn’t disappoint in that regard. It features a painting of a geisha on a mother of pearl dial. Moreover, the painting changes as night falls, with the clothes of the geisha gradually fading away. “This unprecedented innovation in watchmaking makes the link between the traditional enamelwork that established the House’s reputation in the 19th century and the erotic watches of the same period,” the 195-year-old company says. The winning bidder will be invited to attend the Peace and Justice gala charity dinner that will be held in London in December.
Joker
By Konstantin Chaykin
Estimated value: $11,000 to $16,000.
The watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin describes this watch as an unconventional attempt to recreate a watch as a “kinetic pop art piece” that contrasts the “straight face” normally associated with watchmaking. The dial of this timepiece displays the face of a joker that changes as the minute hand moves, with the joker’s eyes representing the hour and minute, and its mouth indicating phases of the moon. “The Joker watch is emotionally faced and you never know what face is going to be next minute,” the company says.
Escale Spin Time Black & Fire
By Louis Vuitton
Estimated value: $51,239 to $81,983.
This watch features a “warm and vibrant” display of various shades of red, yellow and orange, according to Louis Vuiton. “Positioned in the center of the sapphire crystal, a disk in the same colors—bearing the inscription “Louis Vuitton Only Watch”—evokes the shape of a stylized globe, continuing in the Louis Vuitton tradition of world travel,” the company says. The winning bidder will be invited to visit the company’s historic workshop in Asnières, France.
S200 Vantablack
By MCT
Estimated value: $71,735 to $122,974.
This watch mashes together a bit of art, science and engineering to create something akin to … a black hole? Indeed, MCT says the watch is made of a material called Vantablack that absorbs almost all the light cast onto it. That makes it the darkest material—and, of course, the S200 the darkest watch—in the universe, except for a black hole, the company says. “Representing an authentic scientific revolution, Vantablack is composed of carbon nanotubes measuring one millionth of a millimeter thick each and capable of absorbing 99.965 percent of the light they receive,” the company says.
Reference 5208T-010
By Patek Philippe
Estimated value: $922,308 to $1,127,266.
This is a special edition of a watch that Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe launched in 2011. It is the first and only version made of titanium, and it features a hand-made, black-rhodium-plated movement mechanism comprised of 719 parts. The wristwatch is notable for “a blue dial adorned with a hand-guilloched carbon-fiber pattern, underlining the manufacture’s role as protector of the rare handcrafts,” the company says. The successful bidder for this timepiece will receive, along with the watch, an invitation to visit the Patek Philippe workshop in Geneva and have lunch with company President Thierry Stern.
Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante
By F. P. Journe
Estimated value: $204,957 to $409,915.
This watch was made specifically for the auction, including a unique, handmade dial and case. The watch features "a blue chrome dial adorned with an unusual topography and adorned with vivid colors. While we look at this work, one can say that horology is sometimes a major art!" the company says. It has “a movement of 15 lines in 18 karat rose gold, constructed in the purest horological tradition. … Each lever and spring is mirror polished, featuring a long autonomy of 80 hours,” the company says.
Mosaïque
By Barbier-Mueller
Estimated value: $112,727 to $204,957.
One of the standout features of this unique watch are the 136 red, black, white and green jasper stones used in its construction, including 36 pieces on the dial, 72 on the case back and 28 on the case sides. “The entire piece, from the dial to the rose gold case, features a subtle cloisonné motif that evokes the art of mosaics, which dates from the end of the fourth century B.C.,” the company says. The back of this watch flips open like a pocket watch, revealing the intricate, gold-plated movement mechanism that lies within.
Horological Machine N°8
By MB&F
Estimated value: $81,983 to $102,479.
Like the auction itself, children are the focus of this one-of-a-kind watch from MB&F. The piece is made of “18K white gold and grade 5 titanium is instantly recognizable thanks to its special sapphire crystal pane—engraved and metallized with a whimsical drawing created by the talented 15- year old Cassandra [Legendre],” the company says. The watch is full of little details, including a miniature white gold elephant between the hour and minute prism. and a happy face where the MB&F logo usually is placed.
Breguet Classique Quantième Perpétuel En Ligne
By Breguet
Estimated value: $81,983 to $102,479.
The key to this watch lies in its simplicity, watchmaker Breguet says. “This original design results in a seemingly simple timepiece distinguished by a sense of visual balance and purity,” the company says. “The silvered gold dial, finely hand-engraved on a rose engine, highlights the traditional “Clous de Paris” hobnail motif.” The winning bidder will also be offered a tour of the company’s workshop “in the famed Vallée de Joux, the historical cradle of fine watchmaking."
Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
By Audemars Piguet
Estimated value: $81,983 to $122,974.
This unique watch, with its black ceramic finish set against a deep blue dial, was designed to evoke the feeling one gets watching a sunset. “Juxtaposed against the entirely hand-finished black ceramic Royal Oak case, bezel and bracelet, the transition from the blue, orange and silver dusk to the pitch black of night is a powerful combination,” the company says.
Magicafiore De Christophe Claret
By Christophe Claret
Estimated value: $71,735 to $102,479.
One of the unique features of this woman’s watch is the mechanical “he loves me … he loves me not” game on the back of the case. Also, press a button at 2 o’clock and the numbers disappear, revealing the phrase “Pour l’amour de la vie” (For the love of life). The first thing you see when you look at this elegant watch is a 3D depiction of a cherry blossom in the center of the dial, with dragonflies serving as the hour and minute hands. “The white gold case is adorned with 59 blue sapphires and 15 marquise-cut emeralds, symbolizing the leaves of the cherry tree,” the company says. “More than ever, the Magicafiore watch establishes itself as a vivid symbol of the romantic game of love and chance.”
