Independent watchmakers join Zidane's Cartier in Geneva auction for ELA

Dual Time Art for ELA, by Atælier Haute Complication, with the hand-painted ELA logo. Lot 130. © Christie's

Christie's will auction in Geneva on 9 November the 21 unique watches of Watches for ELA, in aid of the European Leukodystrophies Association. Details of four pieces by independent watchmakers now join the already announced Cartier Pasha of Zinedine Zidane.

The sale forms part of Christie's Rare Watches auction at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, at 12:30 Geneva time. The watches can be viewed at the same hotel from 5 to 8 November. The proceeds go to ELA, which supports research into leukodystrophies, rare genetic diseases, and the families affected.

The Dual Time Art for ELA (lot 130), by Vladimir Victor Négault's Atælier Haute Complication, has a 41 mm steel case. The 24-hour aperture was moved to 6 o'clock, freeing the dial for the hand-painted ELA logo. The hand-wound calibre has German silver plates and bridges. Estimate: CHF 15,000 to 25,000.

Abyss, by Cédric Johner, with Tavannes calibre 586. Lot 133. © Christie's

The Abyss (lot 133), by Cédric Johner, pairs a polished black lacquer dial with a vintage Tavannes 586 calibre, gilded and hand-engraved with neuron motifs. The watchmaker regulated it to within five seconds a day, plus or minus. Estimate: CHF 20,000 to 40,000.

Projekt 01, by Kollokium, with 488 cylinders applied to the dial. Lot 139. © Christie's

The Projekt 01 (lot 139), from Kollokium, the brand of Manuel Emch, Barth Nussbaumer and Amr Sindi, is a monochrome version with a pink seconds hand and 488 cylinders applied to the dial. It uses the La Joux-Perret G101 calibre, with a 68-hour power reserve, and its case back bears a laser-engraved illustration by Ivy, Barth Nussbaumer's daughter. Estimate: CHF 4,000 to 8,000.

Seneca II, by Konstantin Chaykin, in titanium. Lot 140. © Christie's

The Seneca II (lot 140), by Konstantin Chaykin, has a titanium case and the Wristmon module, here dedicated to the Stoic philosopher Seneca. The date includes Latin letters that, over the month, spell out the phrase Non fructum beneficiorum sequi. The calibre is the La Joux-Perret G200, with a 70-hour power reserve. Estimate: CHF 15,000 to 25,000.

Zidane is donating the personal Cartier Pasha he has owned for decades, the first of the former footballer's watches to go to auction. François-Henri Pinault, whose family owns Christie's, sits on the ELA board.

Find out more on the initiative's website.