The Only Watch charity auction in aid of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy was inaugurated yesterday at Monaco. The auction conducted by Antiquorum Auctioneers will take place on today at the Hermitage Hotel. This is the fourth edition of the Only Watch auction and like the previous editions this year also the prestigious auction will feature one-of-a-kind timepieces from 40 of the world’s greatest watchmakers. Since the auctions are coinciding with the Monaco Yacht Show the auctions will be well attended by luxury travelers and watch connoisseurs. However, it is possible to participate in the auction online or on the phone. Antiquorum Auctioneers have done a wonderful job of assembling a unique collection of watches for the auction. It is difficult to decode which are the better ones as they all seem to be the best.
Antiquorum has established itself as the world’s leading auction house specializing in horology. In over 35 years of existence Antiquorum has carved its own unparalleled niche in the auction world. The thriving collector’s market for timepieces worldwide has helped them consolidate their position. They specialize in watches, wristwatches, clocks, marine chronometers, and regulators and they have regularly set impressive world records through their sales of expensive watches. They quickly came to prominence after their establishment in Geneva in 1974. Their track record is very impressive as their auctions always record the highest prices for timepieces. To see the achievement in the right perspective you must go through their record. Of the 62 watches that fetched over SFr. 1,000,000 at public auctions, 44 were sold by Antiquorum. They also hold the record for selling the highest priced wrist watch. In 2002 they sold a unique 1939 platinum Patek Philippe World Time for US$4.03 million. It was more than double the previous record and could not be broken in a decade. Antiquorum is credited for starting the trend of thematic auctions. Art of Patek Philippe was the first in this series which was organized to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the watchmakers. They are today considered an authority on the subject and their catalogues are referred to for authoritative information.
The auction today will see the exclusive and unique creation forty of the top watchmakers from around the world. There are watches from some of the renowned luxury and fashion brands who add their stylish touches to their watches. There are some watches in the collection that manage to stand out even in the lineup of the best watches. The one by Bell & Ross is a very fine and unique, square, self-winding, water resistant, PVD-coated and 18K pink gold wristwatch with a casino roulette wheel reproduced in the center of the watch, and an18K pink gold Bell & Ross buckle. The one from Chanel is J12 Marine, Automatic 300M, unique piece. It is a self-winding, water-resistant, 18K pink gold and ceramic wristwatch with date and an 18K pink gold CHANEL buckle. A set of four Frederique Constant watches are up for sale. Girard-Perregaux is represented by Titanium Oxide World Time fly-back Chronograph. Harry Winston’s Only Watch Midnight GMT Tourbillon Refined comes with its original box and a certificate. Arceau Le Temps Suspendu will represent Hermes at the auctions. Oceanographic 4000 a unique creation by Hublot is also on the block. Ikepod, a ten minute hourglass designed by Marc Newson is sure to attract attention. Tambour Diving II Chronograph comes with the typical Louis Vuitton touch. Collection Villeret 1858 from Montblanc can be bid for at the auction. Altiplano Skeleton by Piaget is sure to be a highlight of the auction. RM 027 Tourbilon RAFAEL NADAL by Richard Mille is the piece worn by Rafael Nadal when he won the 2011 Monte Carlo championships for the seventh year running. TAG Heuer MONACO Mikrograph is the fusion of TAG Heuer’s two most daring creations in terms of movement and design. From Ulysse Nardin, Only Watch has an extremely fine and unique watch Freak Diavolo. You will also see a set of two Zenith watches at Only Watch.
