The Only Watch biennial auction involves timepieces that are quite literally singular. The auction accepts donations of these unique wristwatches, and raises money to combat a disease that affects children. In every way, this worthwhile endeavor brings out the best in us.

The unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in black ceramic had a ‘skylight’ blue Grand Tapisserie dial and polished counters in solid grey gold. (I didn’t even know that it was possible to have gold in grey, but this is why we live, to learn things.) It had an orange-tinted photorealistic moon phase display.

Although the Royal Oak is the mainstay of the Audemars Piguet line, and the Perpetual Calendar one of their more complicated manifestations, the unique nature of the Only Watch auction means that this amazing blue ceramic-clad Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar will indeed be a one-of-a-kind possession. For fans of the Royal Oak – and there are many – to own one would be a victory beyond price. And in fact the price that it came down to was indeed respectable, maybe even inspiring a little hush of awe. Eight hundred thousand Swiss Francs, a small fortune given to the battle against the dread disease, and tge ownership of a unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, all coming in an instant. The Perpetual Calendar may track all kinds of time, but I believe for that one fortunate winner, that moment will stay frozen in his mind forever.