Auctions: This Weekend In Bienne: 'The Charity Watch Sale' Raises Funds For Children In Need

On December 7 in Bienne, Switzerland, the second outing of a small charity auction will take place. It’s called the Charity Watch Sale, and it’s being run in support of Terre des hommes, the leading Swiss NGO supporting children around the world. The charity event was created by Bienne local Alexander Grouet, and the concept is simple: watch collectors can donate watches they like but don’t wear, converting them into funds that go directly to the organization while receiving a tax deduction for the amount realized at the sale.

Eight years ago, Alexander Grouet landed in Bienne after growing up in Paris and spending nearly a decade in Senegal, which he calls his “country of heart.” Despite working in tech in Zurich, he found himself increasingly drawn to the quieter, under-the-radar watch culture of his new home. That curiosity eventually turned into Time Files, a personal blog dedicated to the makers, stories, and everyday horological life of Bienne and the surrounding region. Last year, Alexander launched The Charity Watch Sale, which brought in 54 watches and over $25,000 for Terre des Hommes.

This year, thanks to a volunteer watchmaker and a growing community, Grouet has collected 102 watches and kept 95 after technical inspection. The watches range from Flik Flaks and Casios to examples from Panerai, Blancpain, and even a Daniel Roth. Some pieces will be offered at fixed prices, others through a new auction format, and several regional brands, including TAG Heuer, Tissot, Certina, Formex, Christopher Ward, and Horage, have contributed watches directly to the sale. 

It’s a young grassroots effort proving how far a local community can go when it rallies for a good cause. For more information, you can visit The Charity Watch Sale’s FAQ or dig into the full catalog.