Men's Vogue has been auctioning Timex's TX World Time Limited Edition watch on eBay with all proceeds going to Ninemillion.org, a charity that helps kids around the world. We've got five numbered timepieces to sell (only 100 were made), and we're on number four right now, counting our way down. Read more about the watch, then place your bid!
The introduction of the TX line this year helped Timex graduate from the purely functional to formalwear terrain. Adopting the tagline "TechnoLuxury," TX combined attentive Italian design with German engineering, somehow sidestepping that dreaded dollar-to-euro exchange rate and offering well-constructed watches at reasonable prices.
In keeping with this borderless movement, their latest bit of accessory alchemy is the TX World Time Limited Edition, developed exclusively for Men's Vogue and available at Nordstrom. With rose gold buttons, an embossed face under sapphire crystal, and an alligator leather band, one might be tempted to overlook the interior, but things are equally impressive inside that stainless steel case. The four-motor analog component is aided by computing power that keeps the time and season for each of the exotic locales that encircle the face, adjusting even for daylight savings. Limited to 100 individually numbered pieces, this trip around the world in 24 clicks was conceived for the business traveler who logs as much time in airports as most men do on couches.
Men's Vogue is auctioning the first five numbered TX watches on eBay. All proceeds from winning bids will benefit Ninemillion.org, a charity that provides education for children affected by violence and conflict.
“We have to have this for the house in Fire Island!” A diminutive young woman, small even in her heels and shining silk tent dress—crammed with other bad-art lovers into the lavish Hiro Ballroom on a Tuesday night—pointed excitedly toward the stage with her paddle, indicating a small painting of a hunky merman that was being hawked by the evening’s antagonistic, heavily bearded auctioneer. The picture appeared to be painted on a piece of cheap canvas, perhaps by a teenager in a mandatory high school art class. A male companion seemed to agree with the young woman’s sentiments, and, after accidentally raising his glass to bid, he raised his paddle, kicking off an intense bidding war and eventually scoring the merman for a cool $200.
This kind of so-kitschy-how-did-I-ever-live-without-it sentiment was de rigueur at the New York by New York Bad Art auction, which benefited New York Cares, a volunteer-based charity aiding people all over New York City. The auctioneer and master of ceremonies was Zach Galifianakis, a comedian specializing in politically incorrect humor à la the queen of dirty jokes, Sarah Silverman (whose show he’s appeared in). His abrasive epithets only spurred the audience—greased by the complimentary Pom Tea cocktail with your choice of vodka or Jack Daniels—to the highest level of irreverent philanthropy.
The audience’s desire to spend big bucks on bad art became manifest toward the end of the night when a framed poster of Nascar superstar Richard Petty (at right) brought in $500. An image of a vintage Walt Disney pig also caused quite a scene; it was sold by dance-music star Moby, who, from a banquette off to the side of the room, demonstrated to the cheering crowd that the pig was actually—in addition to being one of the only foam-on-plywood paintings in the 50 states—inflatable, and a steal at $300.
The evening ended with Seattle-based indie-rock darlings Band of Horses playing a full set for the giddy crowd. A disco ball spun lights around the merman, who, being passed over the heads of his new owners, had become a Fire Island-bound crowd-surfer for a good cause.
—Maud Deitch Rohrer
On January 22, Men's Vogue will launch an online charity auction, in partnership with iGavel, to benefit the United Nations Refugee Agency campaign Ninemillion.org. The auction will make available rare and one-of-a-kind items, from sporting goods--like the customized baseball glove pictured here--to works of art, and the proceeds will help provide educational supplies and sports gear to the estimated nine million child refugees around the world.
Check back here in the auction blog and in the Collecting section of our site for updates and auction news.
