Collectors the world over eagerly anticipate the bi-annual Only Watch auction. Held under the patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, the event brings together the most prestigious watch brands on behalf of research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

For Only Watch 2015, Blancpain has created a unique example of its Traditional Chinese Calendar. On its dial, the hours, minutes and the Gregorian calendar rub shoulders with the main indications of the Chinese calendar: traditional double-hour indication, day, month with indication of leap months, signs of the zodiac, as well as the five elements and the 10 celestial stems. The combination of the latter with the 12 animals of the zodiac that represent the terrestrial branches follows the sixty-year cycle that is central to Chinese culture. The moon phases, a key element in Blancpain complete calendars, are also presented and play a particularly important role in this model, given the link between the lunar cycle and traditional Chinese months.

This unique piece in red gold is fitted with a black grand feu enamel dial featuring a chapter ring with applied gold hour-markers, as well as indications that are painted in gold before firing. The 45 mm-diameter case comprises five Blancpain-patented under-lug correctors serving to adjust the indications. A glance through the sapphire crystal provides a view of the oscillating weight specially crafted for this occasion in a black champlevé enamel finish and bearing the Only Watch inscription.

A traveling exhibition of the unique pieces created for the 2015 sale will embark on a world tour on September 23 to enable the public to view the unique timepieces that will be up for sale in Geneva on November 7, 2015.

• Monaco 23-26 September Monaco Yacht Show
• Hong Kong 2-5 October Phillips
• Beijing 9-12 October Park View Green – Salone Monaco
• New York 17-20 October Phillips
• London 24-27 October Phillips
• Geneva 5-7 November Phillips