Swiss luxury watch brand Maurice Lacroix has partnered with the Association européenne contre les leucodystrophies (ELA) to create a unique timepiece for the Watches for ELA 2026 charity event. The watch, based on the 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde, features a stainless steel case and a transparent sapphire dial showcasing its mechanical movement. This special edition will be auctioned off at Christie's in Geneva on November 9, 2026.
The Maurice Lacroix 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde boasts a 42mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 12.75mm. Its case features alternating brushed and polished surfaces, while a large sapphire glass protects the face and a transparent case back allows the wearer to view the movement. The watch is powered by the ML302 manufacture caliber, a self-winding mechanical movement with a 38-hour power reserve.
The watch's dial is made of transparent sapphire, showcasing its mechanical components and displaying the time and complications. The dial features a retrograde day indicator at 6 o'clock and a large date display at 12 o'clock. The watch also features a pink minute hand and a rhodium-plated hour and minute hand with white Super-LumiNova.
The ML302 caliber is a manufacture movement developed by Maurice Lacroix, featuring a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and 39 jewels. Its movement is decorated with a perlage, spiral-motif bridges, and a Geneva-striped oscillating weight. The watch's case is paired with a black alligator-embossed leather strap and a stainless steel butterfly clasp.
The Watches for ELA 2026 charity event, which takes place on November 9, 2026, in Geneva, will feature approximately 20 luxury watch brands and will include an auction of unique timepieces. The event aims to raise funds for leukodystrophy research and support families affected by the condition. Zinédine Zidane, an ambassador for the ELA association since 2000, will also be participating in the event by auctioning off his first watch.
The Maurice Lacroix 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde is estimated to sell for between 6,000 and 12,000 Swiss francs (CHF) at the Christie's auction. The funds raised from the event will go towards supporting families affected by leukodystrophies and financing medical research. More information about the charity event can be found on the official Watches for ELA website.
This limited-edition timepiece is a significant addition to the Watches for ELA 2026 charity event, showcasing Maurice Lacroix's commitment to philanthropy and high-end watchmaking. The brand's participation in the event highlights its dedication to supporting a worthy cause.
Key points
- The Maurice Lacroix 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde will be auctioned off at Christie's in Geneva on November 9, 2026.
- The watch features a unique transparent sapphire dial and a self-winding ML302 mechanical movement.
- The Watches for ELA 2026 charity event aims to raise funds for leukodystrophy research and support families affected by the condition.
