When sports philanthropist Michael Ezra bought the world’s only Montblanc Centennial watch

On November 19, 2006, Ugandan sports philanthropist and businessman Michael Ezra Mulyoowa made global headlines after being unveiled as the winner of an exclusive Emirates auction to purchase a one-of-a-kind luxury timepiece.

The prize was no ordinary watch, it was the Montblanc Centennial Chronograph, crafted as a true collector’s jewel and the only one of its kind in the world.

Encased in 118 grams of 18-carat solid white gold, the watch dazzled with a bezel set in black and white diamonds and a unique 43-faceted diamond on its crown. It was labelled a “one-off” masterpiece, never to be replicated again.

Bidding opened in March 2006 with a threshold of $65,000. By July, Ezra, the only bidder from Africa, had received word from Emirates Airline that his bold $250,000 offer was the winning bid.

In September, he flew to Dubai to complete the transaction. The timepiece was formally handed over by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and chairman of Emirates Airline, in a private ceremony at the ruler’s office.

“The winning bid was almost four times the minimum amount required,” Sheikh Maktoum remarked. “It’s is the biggest transaction ever made in the travel retail industry.”

All proceeds from Ezra’s purchase,  the full $250,000 were donated to an Emirates charity foundation, earmarked to support food, medicine, housing, and education for disadvantaged children worldwide.

The acquisition elevated Ezra’s profile back home. In December 2006, he was named Man of the Year in a public poll conducted annually by New Vision. It was recognition of a figure who had fascinated the nation with his wealth, ambition, and global exploits. Interestingly, Ezra had been runner-up in the poll four times — in 2003, 2004, 2005, and later in 2007.

For Ugandans, this was a moment of both intrigue, as Ezra’s extravagant purchase etched the country’s name into luxury and philanthropy history.