The Only Watch 2024 charity auction lived up to its promise. The event featured 47 unique timepieces, attracting the interest of collectors from all over the world. The undisputed star, the Patek Philippe 6301A, sold for a record price, confirming the enduring appeal of this prestigious sale.
The Only Watch 2024 charity auction, postponed due to controversy and a financial audit, was held on May 10 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Despite the withdrawal of 16 brands, including Audemars Piguet, Tudor and Chopard, the event featured 47 unique pieces.
The event is a platform for unveiling innovative creations and raising the profile of emerging talent. Proceeds from the sale, earmarked for research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy, underline the watchmaking community’s commitment to humanitarian causes.
The edition raised 28.32 million Swiss francs (almost 29 million euros), the same amount as the 2021 edition.
Patek superstar
The undisputed star of this edition was the steel Patek Philippe 6301A, a unique minute repeater. Initially estimated at between 1.5 and 1.8 million euros, it finally sold for a record price of 15.7 million Swiss francs, equivalent to 16.5 million euros, to Zach Lu. The Taiwanese actor and model was already known to have acquired the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 Tiffany for 6 million euros in 2021.
As a reminder, the brand also holds a record in this field, with its Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A sold for the sum of 28.7 million euros at Only Watch 2019.
The success of the new Patek Philippe lies primarily in its design. The 44.8 mm-diameter steel case houses a Rare Handcrafts dial, adorned with a hand-engraved guilloché motif and sublimated by blue-green Grand Feu enamel. Every detail is carefully considered, including the 12 baguette-cut diamond hour-markers that dot the dial, and the transfer-printed inscription “only one”.
Mechanically, the watch features rare and poetic complications, such as the hand-wound GS 36-750 PS IRM caliber, with 703 components. This movement is equipped with a Grande and Petite Sonnerie, as well as a Minute Repeater striking three classic gongs.
Independent watchmakers at the top
Create your free account I create my account Don’t miss out on the latest luxury business news.
To continue reading this article, create a free account or log in.
Read also>CHANEL UNVEILS ITS NEW WATCHES AT WATCHES & WONDERS 2024
Featured photo : © Patek Philippe
