On Sept. 23, the fourth Only Watch Charity Auction, featuring 40 unique timepieces donated by the world’s best watchmakers, took place in Monaco, raising $6.3 million to support research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones were among those in attendance to support the auction. 

“Only Watch is a fabulous event,” said Paul Pettavino a 15-year-old teenager affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, in a statement. “But what is also great with Only Watch is that we are all united by human warmth and solidarity.”

The total proceeds of the auction will aid in financing research and organizing scientific roundtables.

“The success of Only Watch 2011 goes beyond our hopes and will undoubtedly allow us to co-finance clinical tests that have already begun to develop new research projects”, said Luis Garcia, director of research at the CNRS.

Organized by the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies, Antiquorum Auctioneers, and the Monaco Yacht Show, the auction concluded a series of preview exhibitions that took place in Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, Milan, Geneva, and Monaco.

“The amazing outcome achieved today is the result of a perfect combination of the involvement of 40 of the world’s greatest watchmakers that have come together to offer a collection of exceptional and unique timepieces, an impressive and intense world tour with previews in the right locations to reach out to watch aficionados and connoisseurs, as well as our continuous and considerable efforts in raising awareness among the collectors,” said Julien Schaerer, managing director and auctioneer at Antiquorum Geneva.

JCK