It is indeed a small world. I’d like to share with you a charity auction featuring a Girard-Perregaux timepiece which is connected to my family (the charity not the watch). Girard-Perregaux has donated a new 1966 Automatic 41mm watch (new for 2012) that is currently being auctioned-off in support of the University Kidney Research Organization (UKRO).
The UKRO was started by a close relative of mine to research diseases of the kidneys. He started the foundation while he was undergoing dialysis treatments while waiting six years for a kidney transplant. Millions of people all over the world suffer from kidney disease, the causes of which are largely unknown. UKRO is an non-profit charity which has successfully funded extremely important kidney disease research and is managed by some of the fields top nephrologists. It will continue to do so.
It is also a good time to mention this larger version of the Girard-Perregaux 1996 Automatic watch that comes in a pleasantly sized 41mm wide 18k rose gold case (up from the 38mm wide case of the previous model). It contains a Girard-Perregaux produced calibre GP4500 automatic movement. Retail price is $16,800.
See the Girard-Perregaux 1966 41mm watch auction for UKRO here on CharityBuzz.com here.