Yesterday in Monaco, the Only Watch 2021 auction was held and the results are in. The event is meant to raise money for any medical charity, to which 100% from the proceeds go. Each of the watches submitted are totally unique and donated through 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 models and brands. The total yield of Only Watch 2021 was 5,066,000 Euros (most of which is thanks to a single watch).
For 2021 there were some major winners and losers. All the lots sold of course, with a few going over estimate, and some under estimate. Most of the lots however sold within the estimated price, and those aren’t covered in the following paragraphs. So let’s take a look at the main winners and losers of the 2021 Only Watch auction. This information will only cover select lots, as well as for a full list of all the watches that were up for auction you can see our original Only Watch 2021 article here.
Winners:
1. Patek Philippe 5004T
I’d prefer to say “wow, wow, wow,” however the super price fetched for this unique titanium Patek Philippe watch isn’t completely surprising. We first covered the Patek Philippe 5004T watch within 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 just one ever produced in titanium. Sure to be a bidding favorite (again) sometime in the near future, the yield for this watch taken into account over 3/5ths of the total auction yield for the whole event. Getting almost $4,000,000 alone. Estimated price: 400,000 – 600,000 Euros. 2021 actual auction price: 2,950,000 Euros
2. Chronoswiss The 3 Apes
The uniquely engraved dial and style 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. 2021 auction price: 42,000 Euros
3. Girard-Perregaux Chrono Hawk
New for 2021, 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. 2021 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 using their Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral. This excellent model narrowly beat estimates, but that is impressive for a small brand. Estimated price: 100,000 – 120,000 Euros. 2021 auction price: 130,000 Euros
5. Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Seconde Mysterieuse
A quirky modern watch with a cool seconds hand, this excellent all-black Masterpiece Seconde Mysterieuse watch shows that Maurice Lacroix is hot right now. Estimated price: 15,000 – 20,000 Euros. 2021 auction price: 30,000 Euros
The white ceramic J12 came out over a decade ago and has had a huge effect. Each day I see individuals, most often girls, wearing white ceramic brands and watches like IWC have introduced ceramic versions too. The Chromatic series includes ceramics, naturally porous, and offers molten titanium, filling the pores up and infusing in to the substance. Seems like Hublot’s “magic gold” process. I am not going to destructively examine a loaner watch, so we’ll presume that the substance will age as promised, namely extremely robust and scratch-resistant. Chanel does great finish work, with flawless detailing and polishing. Ceramic bezel, obviously, though no lume pip. This is a apparel diver, not a tool diver.Elegance is all about restraint, and that is the key to enjoying this opinion. It isn't overly large, or overly polished, or perhaps too flashy with its shades-of-grey colour palette. It is restrained. Understated.The dial is chock full of information to love: Circular finish underneath the implemented (polished) numerals. The vertical cleaning in the center section. The unusual keeping the railroad-track. The window. The easy branding. The middle crosshair.Something which did disappoint us a bit is the hands. They are rhodium-plated for complete and rust resistance, that we enjoy, but are simply shaped and polished. A bit of a matte finish or anhedral shape could have made them more readable.
6. Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture
Aside from the few small differences for example “Only Watch” on the dial, this version of the new for 2021 Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture with an in-house made chronograph movement is very similar to the retail version. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the brand shows as it beat price estimates. Estimated price: 30,000 – 40,000 Euros. 2021 auction price: 45,000 Euros
