OUR MISSION

We raise funds for research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by auctioning one-off timepieces.

Only Watch was created in 2005 by Luc Pettavino and under H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco’s high patronage with one intent: raise funds for research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) by auctioning one-off timepieces. DMD is a genetic disease that affects 1 in 3,500 boys – amongst which Luc’s and Monique’s son Paul, whose diagnosis was the genesis of the project. The consequences this genetic condition are a progressive weakening of all muscles, including the heart, the loss of the ability to walk and global autonomy. 

Since then, thanks to the increasing formidable mobilization of the watch industry and the support of an entire ecosystem, this initiative has become a very awaited biennial rendezvous in the horology calendar for both brands and collectors. It has allowed the charity organization behind Only Watch, the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies, to raise near CHF/EUR 100 million and fund very significant scientific and medical progress. To learn more about these projects, head to onlyproject.org.

🎥 Videos of latest editions

Watch a summary of the 2021 auction (CHF 30,000,000 raised) 

Watch a summary of the 2019 auction (CHF 38,593,000 raised) 

OUR ACTIONS

Thanks to funds raised on Only Watch, our charity has been able to set up an international network of public and private laboratories focused on the development of new therapeutic approaches such as gene therapy, cell therapy and repair of mutated nucleic acids, in particular by modulating mRNA splicing.

Our focus is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a very severe neuromuscular disease that primarily affects boys (1 over 3,500). Nevertheless, the technologies developed by the researchers we fund are transposable to many other conditions that are very debilitating, either affecting muscles, the central nervous system, or various organs that require systemic treatment. 

Since its genesis in 2001, our charity organization has financed more than 50 researchers around the world and connected more than 200 of them through roundtables and initiatives meant to create synergies and accelerate the work. Driven by the goal of preserving a virtuous 'for-good' approach, we have created 2 biotech organizations to own the research and be as independent as possible in the projects the scientists we support lead. One of them is currently launching a clinical trial on a drug of which the development has been entirely financed by Only Watch funds. (To know more about this, watch the video interview with a selection of researchers on the trial.)

LUC PETTAVINO

Chairman and founder of the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies and Only Watch, Luc has been working since 2001 to raise funds for research on therapeutic solutions for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition that affected his son Paul, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 21. In this endeavor, he created several thematic charity auctions: the Mona Lisa project, Adam & Eve, Only One... and Only Watch, the unique watches auction. 

He started Only Watch in 2005, while being CEO and shareholder of the Monaco Yacht Show and initiated an industry-wide movement that has made watchmakers and watch brands key contributors to world-scale research on neuromuscular diseases. 

Luc is a keen sea-swimmer and nature-lover. He also enjoys advising charities and virtuous projects on their fundraising strategies. Charity projects – and mainly Only Watch - have been his core activity since 2010. 

“One cannot get bored of Only Watch. We are preparing the 10th edition, yet, all participating brands, partners, media, collectors, donators, supporters, and us, the organizers feel joy and excitement because we know for a fact that it is going to be once again an everestic festive moment of creativity where generosities will meet other generosities to do good to others in need and by doing so, to ourselves.

I am grateful for all of us to be able to create this together and have such a great impact. We also get to show the world it’s possible to organize great rallies for great causes when people’s hearts and minds are in the right place.”