This September 28, Monaco will play host to the fifth edition of the ‘Only Watch’ charity watch auction benefiting research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Recognized as the world’s first ever charity watch auction, Only Watch is conducted by the watch auctioneers, Antiquorum.
33 of the world’s leading watch manufacturers are donating a unique timepiece specially created for the occasion, one of which will feature on Elite’s website every day leading up to this not-to-be-missed auction.
The proceeds from the sales will be donated to the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy, promoter of Only Watch with Antiquorum Auctioneers and the Monaco Yacht Show, to help finance research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a degenerative neuromuscular disease affecting 1 in 3,500 boys and therefore 250,000 children, adolescents, and young adults around the world.
From September 6, an international exhibit of the Only Watch collection of timepieces for men and women will also travel the world – Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, New York – and will be concluded by a presentation during the Monaco Yacht Show (September 25 to 28).
The Only Watch auction itself takes place on September 28 at 11am (GMT+1) in the ‘Salle Belle Epoque’ of the Hôtel Hermitage.
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ONLY WATCH 2013 SPOTLIGHT: Corum
Confirming its commitment to research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Corum has created a one-of-a-kind version of the Ti-Bridge with linear 3-Day Power Reserve indicator for Only Watch.
This unique piece offered in a two-tone titanium and red gold case features an engraving of Asclepius and his snake-entwined staff, the symbol of medicine – an allegory celebrating the work of the Monaco Association against Muscular Dystrophy.
In honor of this worthy cause, Corum is donating a unique Ti-Bridge 3-Day Power Reserve model combining appealing aesthetics and a top-flight mechanism.
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This timepiece beats to the rhythm of a horizontal inline baguette movement, patented by Corum and held by four cross-bars. The model redesigned on this occasion features a play on materials expressed in two-tone gold and titanium.
While the upper surface of the case glows with the restrained elegance of grade 5 titanium, the sides are made from 5N 18K red gold, adorned with modeled engraving. The association of the two materials is eminently modern and makes a perfect match with the architectural codes of the watch. The applied logo and hour-markers are gilded, as are the hours and minutes hands and the power-reserve indicator, thereby creating a striking contrast with the anthracite grey dial.
The engravings on the side of the case depict Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, and the serpent twined around his staff that has become the symbol of medicine – a fine allegory and a paean of praise to the Only Watch initiative.
The engravings are entirely handcrafted using a time-honoured technique requiring meticulous artistry. The process involves an extremely accurate set of gestures that begins with working on the reliefs so as to define the contours of the motifs.
This operation is followed by high-precision line engraving performed using an instrument known as a scorper and serving to mark out the details of the motif, such as the veins of the leaves or the scales of the serpent. It is the latter operation that truly gives life to Asclepius’ face and makes this one-of-a-kind model a genuine work of art. The background is then reworked by hand using a chasing tool and a punch to achieve a regular matt effect, a texture that makes a delightful contrast with the shiny décor and thereby sets it off to full advantage.
