Only Watch: the Only event of its kind

While no-one is forgetting that the purpose of Only Watch is to raise money for research into neuromuscular disorders, over the course of the years the event has become the greatest auction show on Earth Only Watch began with a personal drama: that of Luc Pettavino whose late son suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy With support from Nicolas G.

Hayek, Pettavino convinced 28 brands to each donate a watch to the cause At the head of the newly created Patrizzi & Co Auctioneers and co-founder of Only Watch, Osvaldo Patrizzi made no secret of his determination to make the event the "World championships" of creative watchmaking Interviewed at the time, he was adamant this wasn't about "Auctioning off run-of-the-mill watches to raise money for charity.

Buyers aren't stupid If it's just a matter of paying a watch twice the retail price, they may as well sign a cheque and have done with it We accept nothing but the exceptional!" Which is precisely what the next sale in 2011 would be, when 40 unique watches raised €45 million.

A second milestone followed in 2015 when Only Watch relocated to Geneva, closer to the international collectors in town for the autumn watch sales The organisers have one thing in particular to thank: Only Watch is the only opportunity collectors have to see and buy so many one-off pieces. . Source