Swiss watch brands renew their participation in 'Only Watch 2011'

Some of the most prestigious Swiss watch manufacturers have once again renewed their participation in the event 'Only Watch', organized once in two years by the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies (AMM) to support long-term, in-depth research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

To launch the fourth-edition of this event, representatives of watch manufactures, partners, and donors like Blancpain, Van Cleef & Arpels and Jaquet Drozall came together in Geneva.

'Only Watch' is an extraordinary auction event which is held every two years during the Monaco Yacht Show under the patronage of H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco. For the year 2011, the auction will take place on September 22 in the Principality of Monaco.

Welcoming the Prince for his presence and exceptional support of the project, Luc Pettavino, President of the AMM and initiator of 'Only Watch' said, Your presence is reassuring because it demonstrates that you were wisely able to turn competition amongst each other into a healthy ambition and enthusiasm for a noble cause.

The debilitating genetic disorder, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, is said to affect one in every 3,500 boys. It is primarily characterized by weakening of the muscles, respiratory and cardiac problems which can gradually become fatal as the disease progresses.

During the official launch of the event, Julien Schaerer, CEO of Antiquorum Geneva, the auction house that is co-organizing the event, presented the main highlights of the action plan of 'Only Watch 2011'. He cited the world tour of the collection, with stops in Asia, the United States, and Europe, the auction catalogue and iPhone and iPad applications.

Schaerer also encouraged the watch manufacturers to be creative and audacious in order to appeal to the community of collectors, thus ensuring positive results for their respective brands and consequently for scientific research.