One-Off Wonders

Richard Mille
Rafael Nadal RM 027

If you have been watching Rafael Nadal this year, you would have noticed the watch he’s worn to all his games since the French Open. Normally, tennis players (like golfers) who are watch ambassadors would wear a watch to press conferences, and before and after play, since they would be too heavy to wear during the game. But Richard Mille created a super lightweight watch, called the RM 027, which is made of titanium and LITAL (a lithium alloy). These materials have contributed to a creation that is less than 20 grams with the strap, making the RM027 one of the lightest tourbillons ever made. Lithium is also known to be a good shock absorber, which allows for the watch to be used in sports. According to reports, Nadal donated the watch he used at the 2011 Monte Carlo championships for the auction, personally handing it to Paul Pettavino after the awards ceremony. The watch sold for €510,000 (estimates between €400,000 and €600,000)

Vacheron Constantin
Métiers d’Art Perspectives d’Art “Dove”

Vacheron Constantin presented a piece from its Metiers d’Art collection, which showcases more of the brand’s expertise in hand finishing. The watch is inspired from an MC Escher drawing of doves in flight, symbolizing hope and love. The workmanship is amazing: enameling is used on the red birds, opalescent enameling on the white ones, while hand-guilloché produces the gold birds. In addition, there is one bird set with 40 brilliant-cut diamonds. A 40mm white gold case houses the caliber 2460 SC movement bearing the Geneva seal, with a 40-hour power reserve. (Wish price €80,000 - €120,000, sold for €90,000)

Van Cleef & Arpels
From the Earth to the Moon

VCA continues its interpretation of Jules Verne’s classic novels with From the Earth to the Moon. The watch is a colourful example of the brand’s expertise in poetic complications, with a rocket on the right side of the dial indicating the minutes, while a star indicates the hours on the left side of the dial. The stars and planets on the dial are a combination of champlevé enamel and fine gems. The earth and the moon extend onto the bezel of the 42mm white gold case, making the watch a unique piece. Again, this watch exceeded expectations as it sold for €215,000 from estimates of between €100,000 - €120,000.