A Look At Our Favorite Only-Watch 2021 Release

Things are slowly returning to normal in the watch industry. With Dubai Watch Week and Only Watch 2021 on the horizon in November of this year, we can all gear back up to see our friends in the watch community more and more. Though these major events are still a few months away, we fortunately don’t have to wait any longer to see the Only Watch 2021 releases. This past week, the altruistic watch event released their catalog of 55 unique timepieces set for auction on November 6. And there were some absolute stunners from the independents in this year’s edition. 

For those that are unfamiliar with the Only Watch format, it’s a watch auction with 99% of proceeds going directly to research projects. This year’s results are dedicated to finding a cure for muscular dystrophies. Only Watch auctions run every other year, and exclusively deal in one-off timepieces from brands both big and small. Over the years, these auctions have done good and auctioned off some of the most exceptional timepieces. This year, that trend only continues. 

We wanted to share which unique timepieces stuck out to us as exceptional in the upcoming auction. These include: 

Armin Strom’s Gravity Equal Force

As the world’s first automatic watch with constant force transmission, this timepiece has always been top notch since its release a few years ago. With orange bridges and accents on this timepiece, we have a very different look from the more conservative color palette of the brand. 

Cyrus Geneve’s Klepcys Dice

The Klepcys line for Cyrus has been the foundation of the brand. Slim, cushion-case, it’s a comfy wear with a distinct look. And it’s been outfitted with a vertical tourbillon, alarm, chronograph, and GMT complications across multiple timepieces. Never has the brand released a double chronograph, though. That is, until this unique timepiece as a preview for a new production model. Both aesthetically and in terms of the complication, it’s a great, sporty looking timepiece that will wear well with the slimmer, new 42mm Klepcys case.

FP Journe Francis Ford Coppola Blue

Spurred by a conversation with Francis Ford Coppola, the FP Journe FFC Blue has caused quite a ruckus over the last week. Some love it, some less so. Regardless of how anyone feels about the watch, this timepiece is beyond technical brilliance. This is the case because it is the invention of an entirely new means of indicating time and an entirely new complication to do so. In today’s watchmaking landscape, it is exceptionally rare to have one, let alone both, on the same timepiece. We’ll be shocked if the hammer price on this timepiece isn’t sky high.

H. Moser & Cie. The Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon 

Moser comes to the table with a very interesting mash-up of timepiece, complication, and materials. A cylindrical tourbillon, found originally in their collaboration with MB&F, is packaged in their Streamliner case with super-black (Vantablack) coating on the dial. Overall, it’s an unexpected combination of Moser elements and nicely executed.

Krayon Anywhere Prototype 

As a young brand, Krayon has hit the ground running over the last 4 years since launching. The Anywhere complication showcases the length of the day, as it grows longer and shorter throughout the year, from your desired city. For Only Watch 2021, Krayon is offering the prototype of the Anywhere with a hand-painted mosaic dial. In terms of the development of creative complications, this timepiece is a very cool piece of modern horological history.

Urwerk UR-102 "GAÏA"

An unconventional duo in watchmaking, Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner continue to create spectacular timepiece after timepiece. Their timepiece for Only Watch 2021 will immediately make collectors’ faces light up. That’s because the case shape and overall look are a throwback to the brand’s foundational watch, the UR-101. Adding a platinum caseback with blue lacquered night’s sky, this one is bound to be a hit for the indie enthusiasts at the auction later this year.

Sneak Previews

There are a few major unreleased Only Watch timepieces as well. We’ll be on the lookout for Akrivia’s Rexhep Rexhepi Chronometre Contemporain II, a sure hit in this group.

There’s also a collaboration between Kari Voutilainen and De Bethune. The last Only Watch from De Bethune came in partnership with Urwerk, and that was next level independent watchmaking. That set the bar, and we have the feeling Kari x De Bethune will produce similar “oh’s and ah’s” from the collector community. Lastly and long awaited, Romain Gauthier hints at a new upcoming release with a teaser for Only Watch.  Stay tuned for more on these upcoming releases, and drop us a note on which Only Watch 2021 timepieces you find to be the most interesting and why!