Explore the Allure of the Geneva Charity Auction: Making Contributions without Selling Timepieces

On a fine Saturday evening in September 2025, the watch elite gathered within the confines of La Rotonde du Mont Blanc in Geneva. They weren’t there to flaunt their horological treasures or vie for the most coveted timepiece. No, the cause was far greater. Organised by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, step back into the remarkable charity auction at the Geneva Watch Days - an event that pocketed no profits, but pooled in resources to foster the future of watchmaking - the young apprentices at the Geneva School of Watchmaking.

At the helm was Aurel Bacs, a senior consultant and an auctioneer at Phillips. His mission? To drive 100% of the proceeds to the Pierre Amstutz Fund, aiding the watchmaking apprentices in need at the Geneva School of Watchmaking. Founded in 1824, this school has been pivotal in shaping the industry, producing many key players of horology. Embedded in the heart of the watchmaking hub, Plan-les-Ouates, the fresh state-of-the-art campus stands alongside industry giants such as Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.

Created in the memory of the school’s former director, the Pierre Amstutz Fund not only provides financial aids to struggling apprentices but also works towards fortifying the school’s community. The young watchmakers leave the school not only with their craft perfected but also with invaluable lessons of unity, mentorship and passion.

Quirky memories like Felix Baumgartner’s toolkit from his student days before co-founding Urwerk to extravagant experiences like spending a weekend in Jorge Werdelin’s Portuguese cabin, the auction aimed at raising over CHF 100,000 - to extend generous aid and to ensure the continuity of the sacred craft.