Auctions: Our Top Picks From The Watches For ELA Charity Auction

Watches for ELA, a charity auction benefiting ELA International, will take place as part of the Christie’s Rare Watches sale in Geneva on Monday, November 9. The sale comprises 21 lots, all unique or one-of-a-kind pieces from a range of brands and independent watchmakers.

ELA International brings together seven ELA associations across Europe (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland) and has been fighting leukodystrophies since the 1990s. These rare, severe genetic neurodegenerative diseases attack the central nervous system, causing profound disability and early death in both children and adults. Proceeds will fund medical research and support affected patients and families. The first charity watch sale, held at Christie’s in 2024, raised close to $1 million.

We got a closer look at the watches in Geneva this week, and below are our picks of the top lots, with all proceeds going to a worthy cause.

Zinédine Zidane’s Cartier Pasha (Estimate CHF 10,000 – CHF 20,000)

One of France’s greatest footballers (soccer for those in North America), Zinédine Zidane is now the manager of the French National team. But when he was a young player, and early in his career at French league club FC Girondins de Bordeaux, he bought his first proper watch.

The one he chose, more than 35 years ago, was a Cartier Pasha. It’s a design that pushed boundaries for the French jewelry powerhouse at the time and is credited to legendary Swiss designer Gérald Genta. Zidane’s watch is a prime example of a typical footballer’s choice for the period. Unexpectedly round for a Cartier, not unlike a soccer ball, this chronograph example with oval subdials is powered by a quartz movement, comes on a steel bracelet, and shows slight signs of patina on the dial.

In an interview in June, Zidane told Hodinkee that the watch was chosen with specificity and care. “For me, watches are works of art,” the French athlete said. “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,” he added.

Felipe Pikullik, Mondphase 1 Skeleton (Estimate CHF 20,000 – CHF 40,000

Berlin-based independent watchmaker Felipe Pikullik brings a unique skeletonized Mondphase 1, which he says will be the last example of this specific astronomy-complication timepiece to leave his workshop.

Pikullik is a singular independent watchmaker based outside the traditional watchmaking hubs in Berlin, with a distinct finishing approach that makes his creations stand out among the new wave of young horologists vying for attention. Mark Kauzlarich crafted a closer look at Pikullik and his process way back in 2023 when the Mondphase 1 was a GPHG Finalist.

The Mondphase 1 created exclusively for Watches For ELA utilizes skeletonized black rhodium-plated brass bridges with hand-polished bevels aimed to exhibit the interplay of light and shadow. Pikullik’s three-dimensional moon takes greater prominence in the open-worked composition, better showcasing its handcrafted, industrial design.

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Duo Box Set of Two Unique Watches (Estimate CHF 3,000 – CHF 6,000)

It isn’t hyperbole to declare the Tissot PRX an icon of present-day, big-brand, volume-production watchmaking. Launched in 2020 as a modern, well-designed, approachable-priced integrated bracelet sports watch for the masses with an impressive 80-hour power reserve, it was based on a previous model from 1978 and became a massive hit. The PRX is now a core element of the storied Swiss brand’s collection.

With two unique pieces for the charity auction, Tissot delivers solid 18k gold bezels on each model with the familiar waffle dials in green, a color the brand says signifies hope and renewal for the ELA cause. With a presentation box signed by French Rugby Union star Romain Ntamack, the PRX pair includes one model in 40 mm and the other in 35mm.

The buyer will secure a duo of special versions of a flagship Tissot model and join the industry in tipping a hat in thanks to the Swatch Group for participating in such an event.

Kollokium Projekt 01 Unique Piece (Estimate CHF 4,000 – CHF 8,000)

There’s a certain kind of collector that Kollokium, a platform created by a trio of Swiss watch industry vets, hits hard. Defined by its innovative and confounding dial work and inventive use of luminous material on both its neo-brutalist Projekt 01 and Projekt 02 pieces, Kollokium does it differently. So for its Watches For ELA offering, it’s doing things a little differently again.

While this looks quite similar to the first Kollokium model we know, what’s missing is what makes this dial unique. No lume. A bold choice for a watch well known for its glow.

The flipside of the die-cast steel case features a delightful, unique piece of artwork created by someone close to the brand. An original drawing by Ivy Nussbaumer, daughter of Kollokium co-founder Barth Nussbaumer, is laser-engraved on the case back.

Alpina Alpiner Carrée Automatic Made For ELA (Estimate CHF 1,000 to CHF 2,000)

Swatch Group isn’t the only major conglomerate donating timepieces to the ELA auction. Japan’s Citizen Group is also stepping up, with unique pieces from both its Swiss brands, Alpina and Frederique Constant.

With an elegant two-toned salmon dial in a classic square case measuring 32.5 x 39mm, I can’t see how this handsome watch will stay within that estimate range. It’s a piece that reminds one of Alpina’s deep heritage as a brand founded in 1883 that’s still cranking out well-priced, thoughtfully designed, Swiss-made watches.

Montblanc Iced Sea Automatic Date 0 Oxygen (Estimate CHF 8,000 – CHF 16,000)

From Richemont’s Montblanc brand comes a serious tool watch with a wild take on the wooden-dial concept. The Montblanc 41mm dive watch promises 300 meters of water resistance and comes in a black PVD-coated steel case with a matching steel bracelet in the brand’s ‘distressed’ treatment, giving it an almost lived-in look.

But it’s the dial that demands attention. Montblanc says it uses fragments of ancient subfossil wood sourced near the mountain in France that gives the brand its name. Cut into shavings, the old wood is arranged in the dial pattern, and black resin is applied below to form a sheet. Another layer of lighter resin mimics ice crystals, mirroring the look of the time-worn wood when it was found.

Finally, the brand removes any oxygen in the case using a process it developed. This helps preserve the dial material and reduces the chance of condensation forming.

Dennison Capsule Made For ELA (Estimate CHF 3,000 – CHF 6,000) and Gerald Charles Maestro Ultra-Thin 2.0 Prototype (Estimate CHF 15,000 – CHF 25,000)

Finally, a couple of shaped watches with stone dials, giving off glam vibes and retro-chic cool. First up is the Dennison Capsule for ELA, featuring the brand’s signature 33.5mm x 37mm steel case and a design by Emmanuel Gueit, with four different materials on the sectioned dial: lapis lazuli, tiger eye, onyx, and amazonite.

The bezel is set with natural diamonds totaling 1.16 carats, and the watch comes on a woven steel bracelet. As with all Dennison watches since its rebirth a few years ago, it’s powered by a Swiss quartz movement. We saw Dennison managing director Stephane Cheikh wearing this piece around town in Geneva recently, and it looked mighty nice.

The Gerald Charles gives off similar vibes, but with a much higher level of fit and finish. This is the original prototype model for a special edition of 20 pieces for UAE retailer Ahmed Seddiqi. With an individually selected, minimalist tiger eye dial, the Maestro Ultra-Thin measures 39mm x 41 mm, uses a ‘colormix’ finish on the case for a metallic bronze-brown sheen, and is powered by an automatic movement. The brand says the balanced proportions make it suitable for all genders and most wrist sizes.

We didn’t get a chance to highlight the entire offering, but visit the website below to see everything. Watches For ELA, benefiting the European Leukodystrophy Association, takes place on Monday, November 9, during the Christie’s Rare Watches auction in Geneva at the Hotel Les Bergues.

For more info, click here.