The 7th edition of the renowned biennial charity-auction Only Watch begins its ten-leg world tour at the Monaco Yacht Show on September 27. 

This fundraising endeavour – to drive research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) – culminates on November 11 in Geneva, on the occasion of the watch auction week when Christie’s will offer 52 one-off timepieces created by leading watchmakers to bidders.

Since its start in 2005, Only Watch has become the de facto platform for the world’s most talked about watchmakers to unite in the pursuit of a common cause: to increase funding for research into DMD. 

Only Watch 2017 offers a fantastic opportunity to view, bid and own a truly unique timepiece especially created for this occasion. The creativity of each timepiece combined with the high profile of the brands involved are the key drivers for watch enthusiasts and collectors to turn towards Geneva in November. 

Participating brands includes Andersen Genève, Armin Strom, Arnold & Son, Audemars Piguet, Barbier Mueller, Bell & Ross, Blancpain, Boucheron, Bovet, Breguet, Carl F. Bucherer, Chanel, Chopard, Christophe Claret, Chronoswiss, Czapek, De Bethune, Dewitt, F.P. Journe, Fabergé, Frédérique Constant, Girard Perregaux, H Moser & Cie, Harry Winston, Hautlence, Hermès, Hublot, Jacob & Co, Jaquet Droz, Konstantin Chaykin, Laurent Ferrier & Urwerk, Louis Moinet, Louis Vuitton, Maurice Lacroix, MB&F, MCT, Montblanc, Moritz Grossmann, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Rebellion, Ressence, Speake Marin, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Ulysse Nardin, Voutilainen, Zenith. 

There will also be two special projects from Agenhor x Head (Haute Ecole d’Art et de Design – Genève) and Wostep (Ecole Horlogère – Neuchâtel).

Under the patronage and support of Prince Albert II of Monaco, and at the initiative of Luc Pettavino, President of L’Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies (AMM), Only Watch is driven by the enthusiasm and passion of the watch making industry and reflects the industry’s wide commitment for noble causes.

The six-week promotional world tour of the 52 one-off models (offered as 50 lots) includes stops in Asia, the Middle East, the US and Europe.

The Monaco Yacht Show, the world's greatest superyachting event, provides the appropriate setting to unveil and host the first stage of the tour from September 27 to 30.

The tour dates are as follows:
Monaco (September 27 to 30)
Bangkok (October 2 to 3)
Singapore (October 5 to 6)
Dubai (October 9 to 11)
Istanbul (October19 to 20)
Hong Kong (October 23 to 24)
Taipei (October 26 to 27)
New York (October 29 to 30)
Los Angeles (November 1 to 2)
Geneva (November 9 to 11)

Only Watch 2017 culminates with the charity auction in Geneva on November 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues. Hosted and led by Christie's Watches & Wristwatches Department, this sale will attract international watch connoisseurs to bid in person, via the internet or by phone. 

 Adding to the excitement will be a first-time experiential aspect. More than half of the watch brands have combined a unique experience to their stunning timepiece: opportunities to visit some of the world's leading manufactures or share a private lunch/dinner with some of the watch industry’s key players.

Expanding beyond the watch industry, a selection of these experiences include:  meet and greet with athletic champions, race car drivers, free diving record holders, dining in unique private romantic/historic locations, access to exclusive fashion shows, become a VIP guest at art fairs, yacht shows and charity galas, and walking the red carpet at prestigious film festivals.

These added on dimensions are designed to create memories for a lifetime. Collaborations in between brands/watchmakers, or between brands and ambassadors, a media partner, or an artist, represents a key evolution of Only Watch in 2017.