The Only Cause

The ninth edition of the biennial Only Watch charity auction welcomes over 50 brands and watchmakers presenting their pièce unique.

- Katherine Arteche

The Only Watch biennial charity auction returns this year for its ninth edition, where several renowned watch brands have come forward to participate. Under the patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco and the initiative of Luc Pettavino, President of Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies, the event has been a platform to raise funds for research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Through the continued efforts of donors and partners, more than 70 million Euros have been raised to date since the event started in 2005. To date, the support has propelled the research team to prepare its first clinical trial in 2022. In pursuit of ongoing scientific research, development, and aid, 54 brands and watchmakers have each put forward a unique timepiece that bears the color orange, the theme for this edition, in reinterpreted and acclaimed timepieces.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Only Watch

Audemars Piguet’s submission is perhaps the truest pièce unique of the lot. The Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Only Watch is the last unique Ref. 15202, and the last to be powered by Calibre 2121—the thinnest automatic movement complete with a central rotor and date indicator when it debuted in the Royal Oak in 1972. History aside, the signature sporty look, accredited to celebrated watch designer Gérald Genta, is without error, having been a benchmark for the ideal sporty, steel watches that followed.