Our pals at The Watches TV went hands on with three of the unique timepieces on offer at the upcoming Only Watch 2021, which takes place on November 6, 2021.
Since its launch in 2005, Only Watch has been one of the most – if not the most – significant auctions in the watch world. A biennial charity auction founded by Luc Pettavino, Only Watch is organized by the Monegasque Association Against Muscular Dystrophy (MAAMD) under the patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Brands donate unique timepieces to be auctioned; all proceeds help finance research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a debilitating and life-threatening genetic disorder that affects around one in 3,500 boys, including Pettavino’s own son, who died of the disease in November 2016.
One of the watches Marc André Deschoux handles in this video is the F.P. Journe x Francis Ford Coppola FFC Blue. Brand founder and head watchmaker François-Paul Journe developed this watch according to an original idea given to him by Francis Ford Coppola during a dinner the watchmaker enjoyed at Coppola’s house in Napa Valley in 2012. The idea involved showing the time using a real hand.
F.P. Journe x Francis Ford Coppola FFC Blue for Only Watch 2021
Journe thought about the idea for two more years, after which Coppola sent some sketches. Then Journe worked on developing the prototype for another seven years – the prototype presented here. The fingers are inspired by a mechanical prosthetic hand created by Ambroise Paré (1509-1590), the father of modern surgery.
With its minimalist yet highly technical expression ensconced within a braceleted sports watch, I dare say H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch has the ability to become a favorite for many in this listing of unique timepieces.
H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon for Only Watch 2021
The technology comes straight from the successful H. Moser x MB&F Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon of 2020, which integrates technology from MB&F thanks to the cooperation: a prominent flying tourbillon rises from the dial at 12 o’clock featuring a cylindrical hairspring as well as an inclined, transparent sapphire crystal dial with a “watermarked” H. Moser logo and small hands indicating the hours and minutes, the idea behind which is to allow the wearer to enjoy an unimpeded view of the tourbillon.
This watch also features the sporty Streamliner case and bracelet as well as a deep Vantablack dial, the darkest manmade substance available (for more on it see How Vantablack And Other Coating Technologies Are Disrupting Watch Norms).
Urwerk UR-102 Gaïa for Only Watch 2021
Based on the UR-02, Urwerk’s very first watch presented 24 years ago, the UR-102 Gaïa, a variation on the theme, is encased in a mixed-genre approach including anodized aluminum on the front and platinum on the back. The back is additionally decorated with a hand-applied glittering blue lacquer meant to represent the Gaïa Award for Entrepreneurship, which the founding partners received in 2020.
So without further ado, please enjoy this hands-on video.
Quick Facts F.P. Journe x Francis Ford Coppola FFC Blue
Case: 42 x 10.7 mm, tantalum
Movement: automatic FFC Octa Caliber 1300.3, prototype, 18-karat pink gold plates and bridges, 120-hour power reserve, 21,600 vph/3 Hz frequency
Functions: digital hours, rotating minutes
Limitations: unique piece
Auction estimate: 300,000 – 400,000 Swiss francs
Quick Facts H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch
Case: 40 mm, stainless steel with high domed sapphire crystal (case height without sapphire crystal 10 mm)
Dial: Vantablack
Movement: automatic Caliber HMC 810; 21,600 vph/3 Hz frequency; one-minute flying tourbillon with cylindrical hairspring; power reserve 72 hours
Functions: hours, minutes
Limitation: unique piece
Auction estimate: 60,000 – 80,000 Swiss francs
Quick Facts Urwerk UR-102 Gaïa
Case: 38 x 12 mm, anodized aluminum and platinum
Movement: automatic caliber developed and assembled by Felix Baumgartner, 42-hour power reserve, 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency
Functions: hours, minutes
Limitations: unique piece
Auction estimate: 32,000 – 75,000 Swiss francs
You may also enjoy:
Complete Listing And Live Photos Of All 50 Timepieces In The 2019 Only Watch Charity Auction
How Vantablack And Other Coating Technologies Are Disrupting Watch Norms
Hands On & Live Photos: MB&F x H. Moser LM101 And H. Moser x MB&F Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon
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