Geneva is preparing to host a significant event in the philanthropic and horological calendars as Christie’s Rare Watches sale approaches. On Monday, November 9, the historic Hotel Les Bergues in Geneva will be the venue for "Watches for ELA," a high-profile charity auction benefiting ELA International. The upcoming auction comprises 21 distinct lots, consisting entirely of unique or one-of-a-kind pieces contributed by a diverse array of prominent brands and celebrated independent watchmakers.
ELA International serves as an overarching organization uniting seven distinct ELA associations across Europe, spanning Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland. Since the 1990s, the coalition has maintained an unwavering fight against leukodystrophies. These rare, severe genetic neurodegenerative diseases relentlessly attack the central nervous system, leading to profound physical disabilities and, tragically, early death in both children and adults.
Proceeds generated from the auction will be directly channeled into funding vital medical research while simultaneously providing comprehensive support to affected patients and their families. The momentum behind the initiative is substantial; the inaugural charity watch sale, also held in partnership with Christie’s, raised close to $1 million, establishing a high benchmark for the philanthropic endeavor.
Ahead of the gavel coming down, horological enthusiasts and industry insiders were given an exclusive closer look at the physical collection in Geneva. The lineup showcases a compelling mix of historical personal pieces from global sports icons, cutting-edge independent creations, reimagined mainstream staples, and avant-garde artisanal work.
Zinédine Zidane’s Cartier Pasha
Among the most culturally resonant lots in the catalogue is a personal timepiece belonging to football royalty. Zinédine Zidane, celebrated universally as one of France’s greatest footballers and currently the manager of the French National team, has parted with a deeply sentimental watch. Early in his career, while playing as a young player for the French league club FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Zidane purchased his first proper watch.
The timepiece he chose more than 35 years ago was a Cartier Pasha. The design famously pushed creative boundaries for the French jewelry powerhouse at the time of its introduction and is widely credited to the legendary Swiss designer Gérald Genta. Zidane’s specific watch serves as a prime example of a typical footballer’s choice for that era. Unusually round for a Cartier creation—bearing a visual resemblance to a soccer ball—the chronograph features distinctive oval subdials, is driven by a reliable quartz movement, sits on a steel bracelet, and displays a gentle, attractive patina across the dial.
In an interview conducted in June, Zidane reflected on the acquisition, noting to Hodinkee that the watch was chosen with meticulous care and specific intent. "For me, watches are works of art," the French sports legend explained. "You don’t buy a watch by chance; you choose something you love. I’m not someone who wears a watch every day, but I appreciate having a beautiful object. And this one is round like a ball, which is significant." The lot carries a pre-sale estimate of CHF 10,000 to CHF 20,000.
Felipe Pikullik Mondphase 1 Skeleton
Representing the bleeding edge of contemporary independent watchmaking, Berlin-based watchmaker Felipe Pikullik has contributed a unique skeletonized Mondphase 1. According to the maker, this piece will stand as the final example of this specific astronomy-complication timepiece ever to leave his workshop.
Pikullik operates as a singular independent voice outside the traditional Swiss watchmaking hubs, based instead in Berlin. His distinct finishing approach has helped his creations carve out a prominent space among the new wave of young horologists vying for international attention. Mark Kauzlarich previously documented Pikullik and his meticulous process in 2023, a period when the Mondphase 1 earned recognition as a GPHG Finalist.
The iteration created exclusively for Watches for ELA utilizes skeletonized black rhodium-plated brass bridges accented by hand-polished bevels, designed explicitly to exhibit a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Pikullik’s signature three-dimensional moon takes on even greater prominence within the open-worked composition, better showcasing the delicate balance of handcrafted artistry and industrial design. The watch is estimated between CHF 20,000 and CHF 40,000.
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Duo Box Set of Two Unique Watches
It is far from hyperbole to declare the Tissot PRX an undisputed icon of modern, mass-produced watchmaking. Launched in 2020 as a modern, impeccably designed, and approachably priced integrated-bracelet sports watch boasting an impressive 80-hour power reserve, it drew direct inspiration from a historical model released by the brand in 1978. The design became an instantaneous, massive commercial hit and is now a core pillar of the storied Swiss manufacturer’s permanent collection.
For the charity auction, Tissot has produced a special duo box set comprising two unique pieces. Each model features solid 18k gold bezels framing the familiar waffle-patterned dials rendered in a rich green hue—a color chosen by the brand to signify hope and renewal for the ELA cause. Housed in a special presentation box bearing the signature of French Rugby Union star Romain Ntamack, the PRX pair includes one model sized at 40mm and a second companion piece measuring 35mm.
The successful bidder will secure a pair of truly exceptional variations of a flagship Tissot model while simultaneously acknowledging the Swatch Group’s generous participation in the philanthropic initiative. The lot is estimated to fetch between CHF 3,000 and CHF 6,000.
Kollokium Projekt 01 Unique Piece
There is a distinct segment of collectors that Kollokium—a platform founded by a trio of seasoned Swiss watch industry veterans—captivates with ease. Defined by its innovative, confounding dial architecture and inventive use of luminous materials on both the neo-brutalist Projekt 01 and Projekt 02 pieces, Kollokium has consistently done things differently. For its Watches for ELA contribution, the brand has subverted expectations once again.
At a casual glance, the watch bears a striking resemblance to the initial Kollokium models familiar to enthusiasts. However, the true defining characteristic of this unique dial lies in what has been deliberately omitted: there is no lume. It is a wonderfully bold design choice for a watch that built much of its reputation on its ability to glow brightly in the dark.
Flipping the watch over reveals another bespoke touch. The reverse side of the die-cast steel case features an original piece of artwork created by someone intimately connected to the brand. An original drawing by Ivy Nussbaumer, the daughter of Kollokium co-founder Barth Nussbaumer, has been meticulously laser-engraved onto the caseback. The unique piece carries an estimate of CHF 4,000 to CHF 8,000.
Alpina Alpiner Carrée Automatic Made For ELA
The Swatch Group is not the sole major corporate conglomerate stepping up to donate timepieces to the cause; Japan’s Citizen Group is similarly lending its support through unique contributions from its prominent Swiss marques, Alpina and Frederique Constant.
The Alpina Alpiner Carrée Automatic Made For ELA features an elegant, two-toned salmon dial housed within a classic rectangular steel case measuring 32.5mm by 39mm. It is a handsome dress-oriented piece that vividly recalls Alpina’s deep historical heritage as a brand founded in 1883, long known for producing well-priced, thoughtfully designed Swiss timepieces. Industry observers note that the lot, estimated between CHF 1,000 and CHF 2,000, possesses strong potential to surpass its conservative pre-sale expectations.
Montblanc Iced Sea Automatic Date 0 Oxygen
From Richemont’s Montblanc comes a serious tool watch that offers a radical, uncompromising take on the concept of a natural wood dial. The Montblanc 41mm dive watch delivers robust professional performance, including 300 meters of water resistance, wrapped within a black PVD-coated steel case paired with a matching steel bracelet finished in the brand’s proprietary ‘distressed’ treatment to achieve a naturally lived-in aesthetic.
However, it is the dial that immediately commands intense scrutiny from collectors. Montblanc sources fragments of ancient subfossil wood discovered near the iconic French mountain that shares the brand’s name. These fragments are carefully sliced into delicate shavings and arranged in a precise pattern, beneath which a layer of black resin is applied to form a solid sheet. A secondary layer of lighter resin is then introduced to mimic delicate ice crystals, perfectly mirroring the visual texture of the weathered wood as it was originally recovered from the earth.
To ensure longevity, the brand applies its specialized ‘0 oxygen’ manufacturing process, removing all ambient oxygen from within the case structure. This technical measure effectively preserves the organic dial material while eliminating the possibility of internal condensation forming during extreme temperature shifts. The tool watch is estimated at CHF 8,000 to CHF 16,000.
Dennison Capsule and Gerald Charles Maestro Ultra-Thin 2.0 Prototype
The auction also features a pair of shaped watches defined by decorative stone dials, exuding an undeniable sense of retro-chic glamour. The first is the Dennison Capsule for ELA, which utilizes the brand’s signature 33.5mm by 37mm steel case designed by Emmanuel Gueit. Its sectioned dial cleverly incorporates four distinct ornamental materials: lapis lazuli, tiger’s eye, onyx, and amazonite.
The bezel is meticulously set with natural diamonds totaling 1.16 carats, and the watch is presented on a flexible woven steel bracelet. True to Dennison’s modern identity since its contemporary revival, the watch is powered by a reliable Swiss quartz movement.
Accompanying it is a creation from Gerald Charles, which channels a similar aesthetic pedigree but operates at a significantly elevated tier of mechanical finishing. This particular timepiece serves as the original prototype model for a limited special edition of 20 pieces commissioned by prominent UAE retailer Ahmed Seddiqi. Featuring an individually selected, minimalist tiger’s eye dial, the Maestro Ultra-Thin measures 39mm by 41mm. It employs a distinctive ‘colormix’ finish on the case to yield a warm metallic bronze-brown sheen, driven by an automatic mechanical movement. The brand emphasizes that the balanced proportions of the case geometry make it versatile across genders and wrist sizes alike.
While time constraints prevented a comprehensive review of every single lot in the 21-piece catalogue, the complete offering highlights the extraordinary generosity and creative goodwill circulating within the international watch community. The Watches for ELA charity auction will officially commence on Monday, November 9, coinciding with the broader Christie’s Rare Watches auction at the Hotel Les Bergues in Geneva.
