Going once

A watch worn on court by Rafael Nadal is among forty unique timepieces expected to attract Thailand bidders at a global charity auction next week.

Julien Schaerer, organiser of the Monaco-based Only Watch auction, brought an exclusive preview to Bangkok last month and says Internet users can follow the bidding in real time on September 23. The auction will raise funds for HSH Prince Albert II's Monaco Association for its fight against Muscular Dystrophy, a debilitating neuromus-cular disease that affects 250,000 people globally.

"The concept is that important watchmakers commit to create a unique piece for the auction. Each watch is the only one in the world of that kind," explains Schaerer.

Among the one-of-a-kind timepieces going under the hammer is the HM4 Thunderbolt by MB&F.

"The brand in collaboration with a remarkable Chinese artist [Huang Hankang], created a unique piece featuring a miniature flying panda bear riding the cosmos. It's a magical synthesis of children's dream and cutting-edge haute horlogerie," says Schaerer.

Swiss watchmakers Ikepod have come up with the striking Hourglass for Only Watch.

"It's made with borosilicate glass in a fantastic red colour and filled with millions of stainless steel nanoballs. You turn over the Hourglass and the nanoballs start hitting the glass, creating a soothing sound."

Fellow Swiss watchmakers Patek Phillipe should generate most excitement among collectors, says auctioneer Schaerer - primarily because their creation for the auction is a version of a model no longer available. The starting bid for their Minute Repeater Ref 3939A with unique 33.3mm stainless steel case, black enamel dial with Breguet-style hands and interchangeable sapphire crystal back, is 450,000 euro (Bt19.35 million).

Scharer explains that auction bidders can register at www.Antiquorum.com to get access to the live broadcast.

"Despite the time difference, you can log on in your pyjamas at home, and do the bidding that way," he smiles.

"Nowadays, people don't want to fly all the way to New York, Geneva, Hong Kong, or wherever. With the Internet they are able to bid live without travelling."

Another piece sure to attract furious bidding is the RM 027 Rafael Nadal by Richard Mille, worn by the then world No 1 through every match he played in 2010. It's also the prototype used for pre-production testing, and comes packed with technological innovations. They help to trim the weight of this tourbillion watch to less than 20 grams, including a strap which is the lightest in the world. The starting bid is 400,000 euro (Bt17.2 million).
 
>>>
Forty of the world's most renowned watchmakers have donated timepieces to Only Watch 2011. They are, Patek Philippe, Harry Winston, Ulysse Nardin, Hubolt, Richard Mille, Chopard, De Bethune, MB&F, Laurent Ferrier, Audemars Piguet, Urwerk, Celsius X VI II, Ikepod, Corum, Piaget, Tag Heuer, Dewitt, Breguet, Franck Muller, Louis Vuitton, Bell & Ross, Blu, Blancpain, Bovet Fleurier, Chanel, Chaumet, Cyrus, deLaCour, Frederique Constant, Girard-Perregaux, Glashutte Original, Hermes, Jaquet Droz, Maurice Lacroix, Montblanc, Romain Jerome, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vulcain and Zenith.
>>>