Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Geneva Watch Days Charity Auction, But You Can’t Buy Any Watches
Fifteen unique objects and experiences are up for grabs, courtesy your favorite watch brands, with all proceeds going toward Geneva’s watchmaking school.
The things money can’t buy… There are things you can get in exchange for your hard-earned money. And then, some experiences and encounters are simply not available, whatever you’ll put on the table… Except in this case, it does. But since it’s for a good cause, one that will only ensure the future of an industry that we love, we’re all good with it. This year, during the official Geneva Watch Days dinner, Phillips will hold a private auction, with the proceeds going to the École d’Horlogerie de Genève. And the things that you’ll be able to get there, even though related to the world of watchmaking, are not watches. Become a watch designer for a day? Check! Spend a day with a famous Premier League player and come back home with a Jersey? Check again. And there will be more.
On principle, such an auction would have not made it through the pages of your favourite watch magazine… It’s typically an insider’s gathering that doesn’t really do it for us. Except that this time, there’s a good cause behind the fanfare. Indeed, it’s about ensuring the future of that industry we love, making sure that we continue to have these small mechanical marvels strapped around our wrists. The proceeds of the Geneva Watch Days charity auction will be donated to the Geneva watchmaking school (École d’Horlogerie de Genève) to train one or more students in one of the most beautiful professions in the world, watchmaker.
The participating brands and various Geneva Watch Days partners generously donated rare objects and experiences (no, not watches… for once) to raise funds for scholarships. And the lots that have yet been revealed (not all 15 are public yet) are quite cool if you ask us. Specifically, if you’re a watch enthusiast. Some examples… A weekend in a five-star Bulgari hotel including a dinner hosted by a few of the top executives at Bulgari Horlogerie… Meeting Erling Haaland, the Premier League player and Breitling ambassador during an event hosted by the watch brand and receiving a personally signed jersey from Haaland… two seats at the President’s table during this year’s GPHG ceremony and dinner… An example of Urwerk’s first-ever writing instrument, the UR-PEN… And, the best for the end, becoming a watch designer for a day, provided with the opportunity to customize a dial from any existing Czapek watch, with the full support of their team. And, if you’re able to acquire it, Czapek will also be willing to actually create the one-of-a-kind watch.
And knowing where the proceeds will go, we encourage you to keep an eye on this page at Phillips.com to check the available lots. The auction will take place on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, inside the official Geneva Watch Days pavilion on La Rotonde du Mont Blanc, Geneva.
