Only Watch and Patek Philippe have just revealed the watch that will be auctioned by Christie’s on May 10th in Geneva.
Like all the other lots, that have previously been announced, the Grande and Petite Sonnerie, Minute Repeater. Rare Handcrafts (Ref. 6301A-010) was specially made for this auction, and the proceeds will go purely to charity (to support research on Muscular Dystrophies and genetic diseases).
Featuring a Rare Handcrafts dial with a hand-guilloche swirling pattern visible beneath a Grand Feu blue-green enamel (flinqué enamel technique)., the dial is also set with 12 baguette-cut diamond hour markers (0.45 ct), and features transfer-printed “Only One” inscription. Additionally, the sapphire crystal caseback bears the metalized inscription “Only Watch 2024.”
With a stainless steel case measuring 44.8 mm x 12.03 mm you know the movement is complicated.
As you can see from the photo, the movement has rhodium plating, luscious Geneva stripes, and immaculate hand-beveled and polished edges. Comprising 703 parts, the 3.5Hz manually wound caliber GS 36-750 PS IRM (37 mm x 7.5 mm) features a Grande and Petite Sonnerie and a Minute Repeater chiming on three classic gongs. It has a 72-hour power reserve (with power reserve indicator on the left dial), and a Strikework power reserve of 24 hours (with its power reserve indicator on the right of the dial). Two patented innovations are linked to the striking mechanism and one to the jumping small seconds mechanism (at 6 o’clock).
Interestingly, the case is humidity and dust-protected only (not water-resistant), although this is not the type of timepiece one wears regularly — or for sporting events — so this fact likely does not take anything away.
Fitted on a matching, patinated blue-green alligator leather strap with a folding clasp, Lot 32 has a presale estimate north of $1.5 million.
Photo by Patek Philippe.
