Yesterday in Monaco, the Only Watch 2013 auction was held and the results are in. The event is meant to raise money for a medical charity, to which 100% of the proceeds go. Each of the watches submitted are totally unique and donated by the participating brands. People get very interested in the results, as it is not only a sign of the economy when it comes to Monaco’s wealthy elite (and others), but also the interest people have in specific brands and models. The total yield of Only Watch 2013 was 5,066,000 Euros (most of which is thanks to a single watch).
For 2013 there were some major winners and losers. All the lots sold of course, with some going over estimate, and some under estimate. Most of the lots however sold within the estimated price, and those aren’t covered in this article. So let’s take a look at the major winners and losers of the 2013 Only Watch auction. This article will only cover select lots, and for a full list of all the watches that were up for auction you can see our original Only Watch 2013 article here.
Winners:
1. Patek Philippe 5004T
I’d like to say “wow, wow, wow,” but the super price fetched for this unique titanium Patek Philippe watch isn’t completely surprising. We first covered the Patek Philippe 5004T watch here in more detail. The no-longer-being-made 5004 series was always a winner at auction, but this version is perhaps the last of its kind and the only one ever produced in titanium. Sure to be an auction favorite (again) sometime in the future, the yield for this watch accounted for over 3/5ths of the total auction yield for the entire event. Getting almost $4,000,000 alone. Estimated price: 400,000 – 600,000 Euros. 2013 actual auction price: 2,950,000 Euros
2. Chronoswiss The Three Apes
The uniquely engraved dial and design made this Chronoswiss extra-special. I think at first glance many people felt it was something from Vacheron Constantin with a hand-made dial such as that which uses monkeys to portray the concept of “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.” Estimate price: 22,000 – 32,000 Euros. 2013 auction price: 42,000 Euros
3. Girard-Perregaux Chrono Hawk
New for 2013, it looks like Girard-Perregaux’s updated Hawk (Chrono) watches are going to do well. This unique black and red model beat estimates by an impressive margin. Estimated price: 14,000 – 18,000 Euros. 2013 auction price: 32,000 Euros
4. Laurent Ferrier Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral
A purist favorite, the still new Laurent Ferrier brand has classic watch lovers perpetually enthused with their Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral. This unique model narrowly beat estimates, but that is impressive for a small brand. Estimated price: 100,000 – 120,000 Euros. 2013 auction price: 130,000 Euros
In fact, that is one of the major things I enjoy about companies like DeWitt – they don’t produce the same old types of synonymous horological items that could come from any number of brands. These are different works of art using a severe level of mechanical thought and effort put into them. An interesting detail is that the signature on the rear of all DeWitt’s most complex timepieces like the DeWitt Academia Grand Tourbillon. It was intriguing to see several different DeWitt timepieces and watch various names engraved in cursive font on the backs of the moves – a classy touch, even should you ask me.Speaking of this motion, let’s talk about the in-house made DeWitt caliber DW 8030 that sits so nicely exposed inside the DeWitt Academia Grand Tourbillon case. In various ways, the movement is very traditional regardless of the contemporary expression of the case and the dial design. Composed of 327 components, the DW 8030 movement builds on 2010’s grade DW 8028 which was DeWitt’s first completely in-house tourbillon motion. The basic architecture is the same, but the regulator-style time display and a unique bridge design has been contained in the DW 8030. This slower frequency can be desirable for tourbillons, as it allows for a larger visual grasp of the oscillating balance wheel. The free-spring equilibrium wheel is further fitted using a Spiral Straumann equilibrium spring which has a Philips curve.
5. Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Seconde Mysterieuse
A quirky modern watch with a cool seconds hand, this unique all-black Masterpiece Seconde Mysterieuse watch shows that Maurice Lacroix is hot right now. Estimated price: 15,000 – 20,000 Euros. 2013 auction price: 30,000 Euros
6. Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture
Aside from a few small differences such as “Only Watch” on the dial, this version of the new for 2013 Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture with an in-house made chronograph movement is very similar to the retail version. Nevertheless, the strength of the brand shows as it beat price estimates. Estimated price: 30,000 – 40,000 Euros. 2013 auction price: 45,000 Euros
