Timely Good Deed

IT'S NO SURPRISE that Patek Philippe's Reference 5208T was the single biggest fund raiser at last Saturday's Only Watch biennial charity auction, accounting for over half of the total haul of 10.8 million Swiss franc (S$14.8 million). The money goes to research into a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a genetic muscular disease that afflicts boys at birth.

Ref 5208T, which combines a chronograph, perpetual calendar and minute repeater, was tipped to draw huge bids not only because it's a Patek creation but, valued at CHF900,000 to CHF1,100,000, it's also the biggest item in the catalogue, boasting a total of 48 one-of-a-kind watches contributed by the likes of Patek and lesser known brands.

Ref 5208T was sold for CHF6.2 million, six times its estimated value. It's clear why. A Patek Philippe unique piece is always one of the most desired timepieces. The triple complication is also crafted in a case of titanium, the best material for a minute repeater as it carries the sound better than many other materials. More importantly, Patek rarely uses titanium in its timepieces, which makes Ref5280T all the more rare.