Every two years watch fans are treated to a unique horological spectacle as Monaco-based charity OnlyWatch runs its biennial auction. This prestigious event attracts the great and good of the watchmaking world as they each donate a watch to help fund research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Since its first event in 2005, OnlyWatch has raised close to CHF 100 million and has offered collectors unusual and rare watches. It’s safe to say that the big names pull out all the stops when it comes to creating a watch for this auction. This year is no different with interesting and exciting watches from the likes of Tudor, Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, Chopard and TAG Heuer. There’s also a one-off piece from Piaget that is already causing a stir.
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Piaget’s donation to this event is a colourful and eye-catching watch from its famed Polo collection that pays homage to the “Hexa Grace” artwork of Victor Vasarely. The art connection is fitting as Andy Warhol owned several Piaget watches and they’ve always proved popular with actors and musicians.
As expected, this latest edition is faithful to the Piaget Polo DNA. It features the distinctive 42mm case, forged from 18-K rose gold, and the almost-square sapphire crystal. It’s an exceptionally thin piece with a height of 6.5mm. This is achieved by the use of Piaget’s ultra-thin self-winding 1200S1 movement that is only 2.4mm thick.
It’s unusual for a movement’s appearance to be the star of the show, but that’s what gives this model its unique appeal. This watch features a skeleton design that is enhanced by the manufacture of this handsome calibre. It boasts green, blue and rose gold-coloured skeletonised bridges that were all created specifically for this one-off piece. The effect is stunning.
The watch has the familiar graceful curves of Piaget Polo but adds extra colour and intricacy. The deep green and blue of the chapter ring and movement contrast with the rose-gold markers and hands, and there are two colourful straps supplied with the watch. One is blue and has green contrast stitching, while the second is all blue. Both are calf leather and have a gold buckle.
The Only Watch auction takes place in November 2023 and includes 62 watches. It’s an event for the true collector and the Piaget Polo Skeleton Arty has an estimated value of CHF 50,000 – 80,000
Piaget Polo Skeleton Arty G0A48012
Diameter: 42mm
Height: 6.5mm
Case: Rose Gold
Movement: Manufacture Calibre 1200S
Strap: Calf Leather
