Only Watch 2019: Our Five Favorite Watches, All For A Good Cause

The last Only Watch auction was a real success with proceeds reaching CHF 10,776,500. These funds were donated straight to the Monegasque Association against Muscular dystrophy (AMM). The eight edition is set to be even more successful with brands challenging themselves to create the most unique and desirable pieces that collectors simply cannot say to no to. It is worth noting that ONLY WATCH has raised more than 40 million Swiss Francs since its debut in 2005.

As we know, it is not about the “return on investment” for the brands but yet, a fantastic opportunity to donate a unique piece and make a difference in the lives of many thanks to the funds donated to charity. For brands, it's also the chance to let loose their creativity. Before the big day, watches lovers from around the world will be able to view the Only Watch pieces during their world tour. The first stop? Monaco from September 25 to 28th. In the meantime, we’ve already chosen our five favorites.

After last edition’s hugely successful Black Bay Bronze One lot, it is fair to say that all eyes are on Tudor in 2019. Luckily, the brand doesn’t disappoint! In fact, they’ve released their first ceramic watch, and the result is WOW! The 41mm Black Bay is encased in black ceramic with titanium and stainless-steel elements. It’s powered by Tudor’s in-house automatic manufacture movement. It's the perfect combination for a dive watch.
 

The Black Bay Ceramic One is a black ceramic marvel which features a sandblasted black matte dial and back indices. Entirely new and unexpected on this piece is the sapphire case back, a unique yet subtle nod considering that Tudor has its own manufacture movements. Always striving for improvement, this piece is certainly not a surprise coming from Tudor, but it makes us quite impatient to see what’s next from the reinvigorated brand.
 

For Jaeger-LeCoultre's first Only Watch, the brand has put together their ancestral savoir-faire in an Ultra-Thin case. After the success of the Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Enamel Blue at this year’s SIHH, it seems only natural to create something similar yet unique. The extent of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s savoir-faire is on full display on this new enamel dial.
 

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra thin Perpetual Enamel Chestnut is everything you would expect of the Grande Maison and more. The beautifully hand-guilloché sunray enamel dial is comprised in a translucent Chestnut color coupled with a newly engraved moon phase display. The counters have been highlighted with “Clous de Paris" finishing, made in the "Métiers rare" atelier of the Manufacture that perpetuates tradition for almost 190 years. I cannot wait to see how much this piece will go for!
 

We’ve probably kept the best for last. MB&F is not the kind of brand that does conventional watches, for that we’re thankful. Every watch is a real piece of art with a story behind it. This collaboration with l’Épée is no different. Tom and the T-Rex are almost as if a child's dream came true. On top of the T-Rex, a sculpture of a child, representing every child living with muscular dystrophy. We all know that children have the best imagination, and Tom found his T-Rex friend that will take him to the wildest adventures without the boundaries of the disease.
 

Created for this Charitable cause, it’s hard to picture a better piece to illustrate this disease and how it affects children. Tom and T-Rex reminded me of how imaginative wwerere when we were kids, and how hard it must be to be stopped from wondering and discovering or going on adventures when so many are suffering from such a terrible disease. It is hard to imagine a better piece for this amazing auction.
 

Happy Bidding!