Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the region’s leading watch retailer, is collaborating with Christie’s auction house to bring Only Watch 2017, the biennial charity auction of timepieces, for the first time to the UAE.

The world-renowned initiative, which sees over 50 brands each create a unique timepiece in support of research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, will showcase the collection for the first time ever in Dubai, as part of a global road show before they are auctioned in Geneva on 11th of November, 2017.

The one-off timepieces made by brands such as Patek Phillippe, Chopard, Hublot, MB&F and Audemars Piguet are on public display at Le Cirque restaurant in The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC Hotel between 10am-6pm from the 10th-11th of October, 2017.

The 7th edition of the charity event was launched at the Monaco Yacht Show on 27th of September and will visit Bangkok, Dubai, Istanbul, to Hong Kong, Taipei, New York, as well as Los Angeles and finally, Geneva.

The fundraising initiative is supported by His Sovereign Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, and will be auctioned by Christie’s. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to L’Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies (AMM) in order to support research and help develop a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Since the first edition in 2005, Only Watch has raised over 25 million Euros and has financed numerous scientific and medical research programmes.

“Only Watch is a remarkable opportunity that brings together and challenges the creativity of the world’s best watchmakers for a very good cause. This exclusive showcase will be hotly anticipated by hundreds of watch collectors and enthusiasts here in the UAE. Not only will they have the opportunity to see these special timepieces face-to-face, but this auction creates the chance to bid and add a very special addition to an existing collection, and all in the name of a good cause. This is exciting and we are honoured to be the official partners in bringing this spectacular, world-renowned initiative to Dubai for the first time, said Mohammed Abdul Magied Seddiqi, CCO for Seddiqi Holding.

Founder of Only Watch, Luc Pettavino commented, “I am really happy about the first Only Watch stop in Dubai. It is an extraordinary opportunity to present the 52 unique pieces of the 2017 collection offered in brand new condition, to meet passionate collectors and generous donators. I thank Christie’s, Ahmed Seddiqi &Sons, Le Cirque, The Ritz Carlton, Lanson and other local partners for their generosity to ONLY WATCH 2017”.

Rémy Julia, Head of Watches Middle East India Africa, added: “Only Watch is such a heart driven initiative from the watch industry in order to put together a line-up of unique pieces for the collectors. We are extremely proud to help this cause through this international tour, where Dubai is an important stop”.