Christie's: Watches for ELA International
ELA International (European Leukodystrophy Association) to benefit from a collection of rare watches donated by renowned brands, to be sold by Christie’s Geneva Rare Watches Live Auction, 11 November 2024.
A collection of exceptional watches will be offered at Christie’s Rare Watches auction on 11 November to benefit The European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA), which supports research into leukodystrophies and the families affected by these diseases. Andersen Genève x BCHH, ArtyA, Atelier Haute Complication, Bovet, Girard-Perregaux, Konstantin Chaykin, Louis Erard, Montblanc, Richard Mille, Swatch, and Ulysse Nardin are the eleven brands who have each generously donated timepieces for this charity auction. All watches will be offered without a reserve price, and each of the eleven watches will come with a tamper-proof passport provided by Watch Certificate™, ensuring traceability and authenticity for their generous owners over time.
Funds raised by the auction will be used to further support researchers as well as support for patients and their families on a daily basis. ELA International is dedicated to research, awareness-raising and international collaboration in order to better understand leukodystrophies and advance research.
François-Henri Pinault: “My personal commitment to ELA goes back many years. The association does remarkable work, both with patients and researchers. This charity sale represents new hope for parents who fight every day. It would not have been possible without the commitment of the Christie's teams and the generosity of the watch manufacturers, whose invaluable support I would like to acknowledge. I am deeply grateful to them.”
Guy Alba, President of ELA International: “Watches for ELA has been made possible due to the unparalleled support of Christie's and its teams, the very generous contributions of renowned watchmakers, Zinédine Zidane, ELA's longstanding Ambassador, and François-Henri Pinault’s exceptional commitment and friendship. Our only goal is to combine the talent of watchmakers, the passion of collectors with the hope generated by medical research, to save the lives of children who are just longing to grow up.”
Remi Guillemin, Head of Watches, Christie’s Europe and US: “Christie’s is incredibly proud to support ELA again with this offering of 11 outstanding timepieces, each one a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and social engagement. It is an honour to bring together the generosity of leading watch brands and the dedication of collectors to help fund critical treatment trials and provide much-needed support to families affected by leukodystrophies.”
The pieces will be on display at Christie's New York from the 4th to the 9th of October, in Shanghai from the 19th to the 20th of October, Christie’s Hong Kong from the 23rd to the 27th of October, and in Geneva from the 8th to the 10th of November 2024.
The watches being offered in support of ELA:
ANDERSEN Genève X BCHH | Celestial Voyager – Unique Piece for ELA. Circa 2024.
This two-crown World Time wristwatch has been crafted exclusively for this occasion and is an exceptional edition of the renowned Celestial Voyager. It features a one-of-a-kind cloisonné enamel world map dial and a customized 24-hour ring, with "ELA" positioned at the 12 o'clock mark, symbolizing the sun at noon. It is a watch showcasing both the minimalistic elegance and the high craftsmanship of the Celestial Voyager.
Estimate: CHF40,000-60,000 | US$48,000-71,000 | €43,000-64,000
ANDERSEN Genève X BCHH is proud to support ELA, the European Leukodystrophy Association. This exceptional and highly sophisticated two-crown World Time wristwatch has been crafted exclusively for this occasion. Pierre-Alexandre Aeschlimann, Svend Andersen and Benjamin Chee said: 'This has been made possible thanks to the help of Artists and Swiss Partners; some of whom worked for free to support this special project. We are happy to donate 100% of the hammer price to ELA. This is the very modest contribution we can make for such a noble cause. We also want to congratulate all ELA staff members & partners & Christie’s for their work and support.'
The present 'Celestial Voyager - Pièce Unique ELA' combines a platinum case, aventurine city ring, with a unique 'map of the world' cloisonné enamel dial of pure elegance and harmony. It is a watch that showcases both the minimalistic elegance and the high craftsmanship of the Celestial Voyager, in the most luxurious and alluring way. In celebration of this 'Pièce Unique ELA', the 24-hour ring carries 'ELA' in the position of the sun at 12pm. A discreet way to highlight this unique Celestial Voyager made exclusively to raise funds for ELA.
The Dial design – Cloisonné Mastery
In cloisonné enamel, the enamel is held in place by microscopically thin strips of gold wire. These are bent and soldered to the dial to form compartments (cloisons) that are filled with powdered enamel, which is then fired in a kiln to fuse it into a smooth and vibrant surface.
For the Celestial Voyager 'Pièce Unique ELA', the wire provides an outline for a map of the world. Since each colour requires a different melting temperature, dozens of firings in the oven are required – any mistake puts the entire dial at risk of warping or cracking. It is an exhaustive process requiring immense patience and experience, conducted at a level accessed only by very few watch brands. The cloisonné enamel dial was created by outstanding craftsmen in the canton of Neuchâtel. This cloisonné map is surrounded by a city ring made from sparkling aventurine, on which ANDERSEN Genève 'A logo' is highlighted above 'GENEVE'.
The Movement
The slimline 'haute horlogerie' movement exhibits a variety of handfinishing techniques, including chamfering, Geneva stripes, snail decoration of wheels, mirror polishing of screws and even polishing of the teeth of the crown wheel. The complex world time module is made in-house by ANDERSEN Genève watchmakers, and has been repeatedly refined over several years. This world time module received a yellow gold treatment in order to bring a striking contrast with the platinum case and the rhodium plated movement. Despite the complex three-layered dial and complication module, the watch is just 10.1mm thick, maintaining its air of exceptional elegance.
The back ring around the movement is made of beautiful mother-of-pearl, adding further luxury and refinement, while the winding rotor is made of 21 carat BlueGold that has been heated to a beautiful “light blue” colour, and decorated with an intricate, interlocking waveform guilloché ('écaille' in French). 21ct BlueGold is an ANDERSEN Genève exclusivity, and a material that is exceptionally difficult to work with. To achieve it, 24ct gold is mixed with iron elements and heat-treated to turn it a radiant shade of blue – a technique that, in watches, ANDERSEN Genève alone has mastered. Achieving this shimmering shade of 'light blue colour' is extremely difficult and requires the very highest skill.
ArtyA | Butterfly Damascus Micro-Rotor – Unique Piece for ELA
ArtyA unveils a unique timepiece, the Butterfly Damascus Micro-Rotor, featuring a Damascus steel case with carbon fiber inserts. The dial is crafted from a genuine butterfly wing, while the watch is powered by a new in-house micro-rotor movement, which took three years to develop and offers a 80-hour power reserve, a technical feat for such a small movement. This watch blends ancient and modern materials to highlight ArtyA’s innovative approach to horology.
CHF15,000-25,000 | US$18,000-30,000 | €16,000-27,000
On this special occasion, for a very special cause, ArtyA is proud to unveil this one-of-a-kind wristwatch. With its mesmerizing design, it seamlessly combines artisan craftsmanship with both contemporary and historic materials. This timepiece also marks a groundbreaking achievement for the ArtyA brand, as it debuts a new in-house caliber - an automatic movement with a micro-rotor, which took three years to develop and offers a 80-hour power reserve, set to feature in numerous upcoming collections. Introducing a new movement is always a landmark moment for any watchmaker, and what better way to celebrate than by creating a unique piece dedicated to supporting families and children in need?
The watch’s 40mm case brings to life the historic art and craft of Damascus steel. Prized since ancient times for its distinctive physical and visual properties, the Damascus steel in this watch is beautifully contrasted with modern carbon fiber side inserts—a true blend of tradition and technology, as timeless as watchmaking itself.
The crowning feature of this remarkable wristwatch is its iridescent ‘Farfalla’ butterfly wing dial. Crafted from a genuine single butterfly wing, it stands as a testament to the unique expertise that has distinguished ArtyA for the past 15 years. The Butterfly Damascus Micro-Rotor perfectly captures the innovative and artistic essence of ArtyA’s creations.
Ataelier Haute Complication | The Architecture Mécanique No. 1 – special edition ELA
Made by Vladimir Victor Négault this timepiece is a unique dual time wristwatch created to support ELA, featuring a distinctive day/night indicator arc for the second time zone, replacing the traditional 24-hour display, allowing the wearer to easily differentiate between day and night. Négault's innovative avant-garde design, influenced by F.P. Journe, showcases a manually-wound movement visible through the display back, highlighting its intricate hand-finishing.
Movement: Manual
Dial: Silvered
Case: 41 mm. diam.
With: Stainless steel Ataelier Haute Complication buckle
Remark: Unique Piece made for ELA
Estimate CHF10,000-20,000 | US$12,000-24,000 | €11,000-21,000
Created by the intriguing and innovative independent watchmaker Vladimir Victor Négault, this highly original dual-time wristwatch is a unique piece and the first Ataelier Haute Complication timepiece offered to raise funds for charity.
In the exciting world of independent watchmaking, the name Vladimir Victor Négault may not be immediately familiar. However, this gifted watchmaker is quickly gaining recognition as one of the most talented and creative horologists to emerge in recent times. Négault, the founder of Ataelier Haute Complications, has always shunned the limelight, yet his career has been remarkably illustrious. He describes himself as “a disciple of François-Paul Journe,” and indeed, his contributions to the legendary F.P. Journe company were significant. In 1994, while working as an architect and 3D modeler, he was approached by François-Paul Journe to create a 3D cast model for a Cartier bracelet. Ten years later, Journe invited Négault to join his company to develop 2D and 3D animated films that demonstrated how Journe’s complications and movements functioned. Négault worked for an impressive 14 years in the research and development department at F.P. Journe. During this period, he studied watchmaking himself and, by 2018, made the decision to start his own company, Ataelier Haute Complication. Currently, five different models are in development, each based on new and unique complications. The first model, the Dual Time wristwatch, was launched in a 19-piece ‘Souscription’ edition in stainless steel, soldout in 6 days, echoing F.P. Journe’s early days. This was followed by steel. The present unique example offers collectors the opportunity to acquire one of the brand’s most important watches, as well as one of the most interesting contemporary independent wristwatches, while simultaneously supporting a worthy cause.
Ataelier Haute Complications – Architecture Mecanique No. 1
Vladimir Victor Négault’s avant-garde take on the traditional dualtime complication features a 12-hour display for the second time zone (current time), rather than the typical 24-hour display, with the hour hand independently adjustable via the winding crown. To indicate whether it is day or night, an indicator arc curves beneath the 12-hour home time display at the top of the dial. A pointer for the home time tracks the 12-hour daytime arc with a sun symbol from 6 am to 6 pm, followed by a nighttime arc with a moon symbol, allowing the user to determine day or night at a glance.
The case, clearly influenced by F.P. Journe, measures 41mm in diameter and 9mm in height. The German silver, manually-wound movement is visible through the display back, showcasing its handfinishing. Almost entirely made in-house, it provides a power reserve of 42 to 45 hours when fully wound.
BOVET | Récital 12 – special edition ELA
A one-of-a-kind, Récital 12 features a black lacquered dial adorned with a vibrant yellow sun. Designed exclusively for this auction by BOVET’s owner, Pascal Raffy, the Récital 12 is the first timepiece BOVET has ever created with a bracelet. This piece showcases a new 40mm case, along with a redesigned and reconfigured manual-wind movement and bracelet. Crafted entirely in titanium, the piece is lightweight, ergonomic, and a testament to high horology.
Signed Bovet, Recital 12 Model, Unique Piece ‘ELA 2024’, Ref. PR-R12-HMS, Case No. 038687, Circa 2024
Movement: Manual
Dial: Black lacquered with yellow sun designed by Pascal Raffy
Case: 40 mm. diam.
With: Titanium Bovet bracelet and double deployant clasp, overall length approximately 220 mm., undated Certificate of Origin and Warranty, product literature, leather folder, presentation box and outer packaging
Remark: Unique Piece made for ELA
Estimate CHF20,000-40,000 | US$24,000-47,000 | €22,000-43,000
This stunning one-off-a-kind BOVET Récital 12 has been especially created for this 'Watches for ELA' auction. The eye-catching black lacquered dial adorned with a bright yellow sun has been designed exclusively for this watch by BOVET owner Pascal Raffy. It is designed to channel good vibes, with the sun representing hope and love.
Pascal Raffy has issued the following statement in support of ELA: 'I've always believed in the power of innovation to change lives,' says Pascal Raffy, owner of BOVET. 'Nothing has moved me more deeply than the courage of children battling leukodystrophy. Their resilience in the face of such a devastating disease is truly inspiring. That's why we've chosen to partner with ELA - because every child deserves a chance at a healthy future. By supporting research into leukodystrophy, we're not just investing in medical breakthroughs; we're investing in the dreams and potential of countless young lives. I am proud to stand alongside these brave children and their families in their fight against leukodystrophy.'
BOVET’s Récital 12 was in development for more than two years, as owner Pascal Raffy was keen to respond to requests made by many collectors around the world for an everyday-wear timepiece, specifically on a bracelet. The beautifully finished handcrafted manually wound movement is semi-skeletonised to reveal the fascinating inner mechanics, the dial is offset with the seconds to the left indicated by a delicately beautiful three-armed blued steel hand. A seven-day power reserve indicator above the dial tells the wearer when the watch is due to be wound.
Girard-Perregaux | Laureato Eternity – special edition ELA
Girard-Perregaux has created a unique piece based on its iconic Laureato model. First released in 1975, the Laureato embodies Girard-Perregaux’s unique approach to design with its octagonal bezel and its interplay of straight lines and curves and finishes. Featuring a dial enriched with a guilloché pattern and a deep purple Grand Feu enamel, the Laureato ELA Edition showcases the many talents working at the Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. True to its origins, Girard-Perregaux powered the Laureato ELA Edition with an in-house movement.
Signed Girard-Perregaux, Laureato Model, Unique Piece, Ref. 81010-11-3285-1GM, No. 13199, Circa 2024
Movement: Automatic
Dial: Guilloché purple enamel
Case: 42 mm. diam.
With: Stainless steel Girard-Perregaux bracelet and double deployant clasp, overall length approximately 200 mm., Special Edition Certificate, International Warranty, sales tag, product literature, travel pouch, presentation box and outer packaging
Remark: Unique Piece made for ELA
Estimate CHF20,000-30,000 | US$24,000-36,000 | €22,000-32,000
This one-of-a-kind example of Girard-Perregaux’s flagship Laureato model has been created exclusively for this auction, featuring a ravishingly attractive, artisan handmade guilloché purple enamel dial. Designed and crafted in Girard-Perregaux’s independent Manufacture, the raised octagonal bezel, a defining feature of the iconic Laureato collection introduced in 1975, is what ultimately inspired the model's name.
The dial showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of the métier d’art enamelling. Creating a flawless enamel dial is a complex and highly skilled process, mastered only by artisans with years of experience. Once the perfect enamel powder color is selected, it is meticulously applied before the dial is fired at least five times at very high temperatures. After cooling, the surface is polished to perfection. The mesmerizing translucent enamel reveals beautiful plays of light and depth, thanks to the guilloché engine turning of the baseplate beneath the enamel. Enamel dials are highly prized because they are not only beautiful but also resistant to aging and oxidation, ensuring their color and beauty last for eternity. It takes a minimum of seven hours of artisan labor to produce a single dial.
The edge of the transparent display case back is engraved with “Unique Piece,” through which the in-house caliber GP1800 movement can be admired. The steel bracelet flows seamlessly from the case for ultimate comfort. Subtle yet stunning, this one-of-a-kind Laureato possesses an undeniably captivating appeal.
Konstantin Chaykin | Seneca - special edition ELA
The Seneca Piece Unique watch is a tribute to the Stoic philosopher Seneca, featuring a distinctive mask-like design inspired by ancient Roman theatre masks. It integrates philosophical and historical elements, including a moonphase and date display, with the date numerals forming the Latin phrase "Recte facti fecisse merces est" over the course of a month. The watch is the first Wristmon to include a date complication, honouring the Roman origins of the modern calendar.
Signed Konstantin Chaykin, Seneca Model, Pièce Unique for ELA, Circa 2024
Movement: Automatic
Dial: Sandblasted gold plated and rhodium coated
Case: 40 mm. diam.
With: Stainless steel Konstantin Chaykin buckle
Remark: The first Wristmon with date feature, Unique Piece made for ELA
Estimate CHF15,000-25,000 | US$18,000-30,000 | €16,000-27,000
The Wristmonification of (the Stoic) Seneca – A Unique Wristwatch for ELA
The maverick genius independent watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin’s Wristmons offer a fresh perspective on watchmaking, and with this extraordinary creation, the ‘Seneca’ pièce unique, also reflect a philanthropic vision.
Unmistakable in its styling, with the now-famous ‘Joker’ indications for the hours at 10 o’clock and minutes at 2 o’clock, this one-of-akind watch is dedicated to Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger, a Stoic philosopher and moralist of ancient Rome. Fittingly, for a timepiece made for charitable purposes, the design is inspired by one of Seneca’s sayings: “Recte facti fecisse merces est” – “The reward for a good deed is its accomplishment.”
For this special watch, sold to benefit ELA, Chaykin has also added the complication of moon phases and, for the very first time, a date indication. The date display on the Seneca is particularly fascinating, as it weaves Latin letters into the date numerals, spelling out Seneca’s phrase “Recte facti fecisse merces est” over the course of a month. As this is a unique combination of complications for the Wristmons collection, Chaykin developed a new caliber for this watch, the K.18-1.
In anticipation of this remarkable charity auction, Konstantin Chaykin has released the following statement:
“Konstantin Chaykin believes that supporting charitable initiatives is one of the missions of modern watchmaking. The watches that Konstantin Chaykin makes for charity are undoubtedly attractive to watch connoisseurs because he approaches such projects responsibly and thoughtfully. He always offers unique pieces that have no equivalent in the regular collection which makes the offer even more attractive for a collector. Incidentally, this does not only apply to the design: Chaykin often develops new movements for such watches, which was particularly the case with the Joker Selfie and the Martian Tourbillon. With these and other watches, he has supported the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies since 2017, for which he donated the unique Joker Sandmann this year. On May 10, 2024, this watch was sold at Christie’s for 110,000 Swiss francs. One of the most recent examples of Chaykin’s philanthropy is the Joker for Encore Charity watch, which was sold for around 435,000 US dollars at the Encore Charity Auction in Moscow on March 16, 2024. This is currently the highest amount ever paid for a Konstantin Chaykin wristwatch at auction.
The independent watchmaker’s responsible approach to developing watches for charity is also reflected in its latest project: the Seneca Pièce Unique watch, which is being offered here for the benefit of the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA). This watch, is unique in its concept, complications and design”.
The Seneca Wristmon
It is believed that the Roman Republican calendar, which preceded the Julian calendar, was introduced by Numa Pompilius, the legendary second king of Rome. This calendar was based on the lunar month. Consequently, Konstantin Chaykin decided to equip the Seneca watch with both a date display and a moon phase. The lunar ‘smile’ created by the moon phase display, which is inverted compared to the traditional orientation, has been a feature of the Wristmons since their introduction in 2017, when the now-legendary ‘Joker’ made a sensation. Since 2019, some Wristmons have been equipped with a day-of-the-week display, but never with a date. The Seneca watch is, therefore, the first in the series to feature a date display.
In his creations, Konstantin Chaykin often seeks connections between philosophical ideas, design concepts, and the evolution of watchmaking to add new dimensions to his projects. During the development of the Seneca watch, he chose to highlight the fact that the origins of the modern calendar trace back to ancient Rome and that all the major events related to its introduction occurred around the turn of the first millennium, when Lucius Annaeus Seneca lived. The widely recognized 12-month system, whose month names have survived to this day, was introduced through Julius Caesar's reforms in 45 BC. Around the same time, the Romans adopted the sevenday week, creating the precise combination that defines the modern calendar.
The beautiful tonal dial is designed to resemble a golden mask, as Seneca the Younger was one of the greatest playwrights of ancient Rome, where actors almost always appeared on stage wearing masks. A mask for the Seneca Wristmon, therefore, seems a perfectly natural choice.
Louis Erard | Noirmont Marqueterie – special edition ELA
The independent watchmaking maison Louis Erard continues its pursuit of blending métiers d’art with contemporary watchmaking in a bold, accessible way. This unique masterpiece features miniature marquetry, showcased on a single, meticulously handcrafted dial. The dial comprises over 70 wooden pieces, with natural walnut burl wood at its centre and tulip tree wood, stained in three shades of green, forming captivating geometric cubes handcrafted by artisan Bastien Chevalier, based in St. Croix.
Signed Louis Erard, Bastien Chevalier, Excellence Marqueterie Model, Unique Piece, Ref. 34237AA59, Circa 2024
Movement: Automatic
Dial: Geometric marquetry handmade by Bastien Chevalier
Case: 42 mm. diam.
With: Stainless steel Louis Erard buckle, Certificate of Authenticity, International Warranty dated 2024, additional leather brown strap, polishing cloth, presentation box and outer packaging
Remark: Unique Piece made for ELA
Estimate CHF4,000-8,000 | US$4,800-9,500 | €4,300-8,500
Manuel Emch, CEO of Louis Erard, has issued the following statement in support of ELA: "I believe in the power of giving back. Giving back enriches both the giver and the community, creating a ripple effect of kindness and positive change. It transforms lives, builds connections, and fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Donating a unique and powerful watch to ELA is our way of contributing to the hope and future of families in need, and make a positive impact on our world."
Independent watch Maison Louis Erard continues to enliven métiers d’art with a contemporary perspective and an impossible challenge: to make the most exclusive craftsmanship accessible, this time with the extreme practice of miniature marquetry featured on the dial. Each dial is handmade, piece by piece, by an independent artisan, Bastien Chevalier.
At such a size, marquetry is pushing the boundaries of its own discipline. With such a pattern, marquetry becomes madness. Louis Erard offers this beautiful one-off-a-kind Marquetrie automatic watch to support the important work of ELA.
Louis Erard strives to break barriers and explore a fresh, creative side of horology. While their roots are proudly and firmly entrenched in the world of traditional Swiss mechanical watchmaking, they do not simply repeat the past.
Whether its reinterpreting the fundamentals, collaborating with other watchmakers and artists or offering a modern touch to centuriesold handcrafts, Louis Erard goes where no other Swiss brand dares. Louis Erard disrupts the status quo, making artisanal craftsmanship accessible. Its artistic crafts timepieces defy tradition with a contemporary edge, shaped by boundary-breaking artisans. Since 1929, independence has fuelled their fire, inspired by the untamed spirit of the Swiss jura and building upon the iconic regulators and mechanical watches. Under Manuel Emch's leadership, Louis Erard prioritizes innovation over conformity and lasting excellence over rapid growth, forging a new path in watchmaking. Collaborating with visionaries such as Alain Silberstein, Vianney Halter, and Konstantin Chaykin, the brand transcends artistic boundaries, seizing and playing with new codes to design timepieces disrupting the very essence of time itself.
Montblanc | Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph 43mm – special edition ELA
The Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph 43mm showcases a groundbreaking iteration of the Maison’s iconic chronograph model. Encased in sleek 43mm black DLC-coated stainless steel, the dial features a 19th-century drawing capturing the thrilling moment when four jockeys and their horses approach the finish line at Paris’s Champ-de-Mars racecourse.
Movement: Automatic
Dial: Black with beige surround depicting an historic horse racing scene
Case: 43 mm. diam.
With: Black DLC-coated stainless steel Montblanc double deployant clasp, International Guarantee Certificate dated 2024, presentation box and outer packaging
Remark: Unique Piece made for ELA
Estimate CHF15,000-25,000 | US$18,000-30,000 | €16,000-27,000
In support of L’Association Européenne contre les Leucodystrophies (ELA), Montblanc unveils a Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph 43mm that presents a never-before-seen iteration of the Maison’s famous chronograph model.'' said Laurent Lecamp, Global Managing Director of Montblanc.
Tracing the roots of the collection, it depicts an historic horse race scene inspired by a 19rh century drawing of jockeys and their horses approaching the finish line of the Champ de Mars race track in Paris. This was the very race track at which Nicolas Rieussec set up his inking chronograph to record the precise times of the horses as they crossed the finish line on Saturday 1st September 1821.
Montblanc and ELA hope that this one-of-a-kind piece will catch the eye of discerning collectors so that the important work of the association can continue to reach even more patients and their families in the years to come.
The Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph
The original idea for the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec chronograph was based on the precise timing system that Rieussec, the sixth royal watchmaker to the Kings of France, invented and applied to the scientific recording of horse races. Big business at the time, Rieussec’s system was a game changer for the sport.
Nicolas Rieussec’s device worked by using a fixed nib that would place a drop of ink on two rotating counters (one for the minutes, the other for the seconds), each time a horse crossed the finish line. His invention was a success and, a few weeks later he presented it to the Academy of Sciences in Paris, whose members were fascinated by the timing device and named it a “Chronograph”, taken from the Greek word ‘Chronos’ for time and ‘graphein’ to write. The word ‘Chronograph’ was thus born and Nicolas Rieussec became the inventor of the world’s first inking chronograph, a milestone in the history of watchmaking.
Montblanc has taken direct inspiration from Rieussec’s inking chronograph in the design of the Star Legacy wristwatch that bears his name. In addition to being a dual time watch – able to show the time in two time zones via the additional skeleton hour hand in conjunction with a day and night indicator, the chronograph registers for the elapsed 30-minte and 60-minutes operate in a unique way. Instead of each register having a separate hand, in the Nicolas Rieussec chronograph the registers themselves actually rotate, the timings being read from a fixed double-ended hand sited between them.
Powered by the automatic caliber MB R200, Montblanc’s first inhouse produced movement, it features twin barrels and a black oscillating weight with ‘clous de Paris’ decoration – a further homage to the City of Light. The date and hour hand for the second time zone can be rapidly set for the convenience of the regular traveller.
Richard Mille | RM65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph Dark Yellow Quartz TPT®
The culmination of five years of meticulous development, REF. RM65-01 FQ/3787, NO. 048/120, CIRCA 2024 represents the most intricate automatic timepiece ever produced by Richard Mille. It exemplifies the brand's technical mastery, seamlessly combining multiple advanced functions, unique architecture, and a refined aesthetic. Limited to just 120 pieces in a striking dark yellow Quartz TPT®, this is the first example to come to auction.
Estimate CHF350,000-450,000 | US$420,000-530,000 | €380,000-480,000
Richard Mille enthusiasts and collectors worldwide will immediately recognize the significance of this exceptional and awesomely attractive RM65-01 limited edition dark yellow carbon TPT® Automatic split-seconds chronograph. To the best of our knowledge, the present watch is the first of its kind to be offered at auction, providing collectors with the early opportunity to obtain one of the most important and exclusive of Richard Mille’s contemporary timepieces without delay. Furthermore, it is being sold to benefit the important research of ELA.
The RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph is the pinnacle of five years of meticulous development, making it the most intricate automatic timepiece ever produced by Richard Mille. Limited to just 120 pieces in a striking dark yellow Quartz TPT®, this model epitomizes the brand’s technical prowess, blending multiple advanced functions, a unique architecture, and a sophisticated aesthetic. It represents a remarkable achievement in mechanical watchmaking, requiring patience, precision, and unwavering dedication.
The calibre RMAC4, featuring a six-column wheel, expertly manages time measurement. This automatic movement boasts a highfrequency balance with variable inertia, oscillating at 36,000 vibrations per hour. A pusher at 8 o'clock allows for rapid recharging of the fast-rotating barrel's spring. The chronograph's motor offers a 60-hour power reserve, powered by a variable geometry rotor. The crown's function selector lets the wearer seamlessly switch between winding mode (W), date setting (D), and hand-setting (H).
The RM 65-01 leverages the exceptional properties of Quartz TPT®, developed by NTPT™ (North Thin Ply Technology). Giving life to this composite are multiple layers of silica fibres, saturated with a yellow resin specially developed for Richard Mille and heated to 120° at a pressure of 6 bars. The result is not only extraordinarily durable but also enhances the watch's elegance with a distinct aesthetic.
OMEGA X Swatch | Bioceramic MoonSwatch, Mission to Neptune, Moonshine Gold
The “Mission to Neptune, Moonshine Gold” chronograph is the one millionth MoonSwatch, a true milestone engraved inside the watch for posterity. Additionally, this timepiece features a seconds hand coated with OMEGA Moonshine™ Gold, an alloy invented by OMEGA. Finally, a trophy-stand engraved with ‘1,000,000’ accompanies the watch to highlight its unique status.
Estimate CHF500-1,000 | US$590-1,200 | €540-1,100
This "MISSION TO NEPTUNE, Moonshine™ Gold" chronograph marks a significant milestone as the one millionth MoonSwatch ever produced. A true testament to the revolutionary success of the Bioceramic MoonSwatch Collection. This particular watch is unique for several reasons. Firstly, it is the one millionth MoonSwatch, a distinction engraved for posterity inside the watch, beneath the battery cover. Additionally, it features a seconds hand coated in OMEGA's proprietary Moonshine™ Gold, an alloy developed by the brand. To emphasize its importance, the watch is accompanied by a special trophy stand engraved with '1’000’000'.
OMEGA X Swatch | Bioceramic MoonSwatch, Mission to Neptune, Moonshine Gold
This one-of-a-kind timepiece showcases deep navy blue bioceramic tones, paired with a black VELCRO® strap with a bioceramic keeper. For contrast, the hands and indexes are in white. The blue bezel frames a white tachymeter scale, while the dial proudly displays the OMEGA X Swatch branding, the iconic Speedmaster logo, and the MoonSwatch logo. The biosourced glass features an "S" engraving at the center, surrounded by a refined circular pattern on the outer ring of the dial and recessed subdials. The tachymeter scale includes the signature "dot over 90," a nod to Speedmaster heritage, alongside the innovative use of Bioceramic. The chronograph hands and indexes are coated with Super-LumiNova®, ensuring they glow brightly in the dark.
Ulysse Nardin | Freak X ELA – special edition ELA
Ulysse Nardin presents a Freak X in a Black DLC Titanium case inspired by ELA’s signature colour pink used for the minuterie, the hands with pink superluminova and a pink round line on the hour wheel. The Freak’s influence on contemporary watchmaking was instrumental: Ulysse Nardin presented a watch with no dial in 2001, no hands and no crown, a mechanical watch using silicon for the first time.
Estimate CHF20,000-40,000 | US$24,000-47,000 | €22,000-43,000
This stunning one-off-a-kind example of the independent Manufacture Ulysse Nardin’s ‘Freak X’ has been especially created in black DLC coated titanium and pink to accord with the signature colours of ELA.
Freak : A Wild Horological Icon That Has Revolutionised 21st Century Watchmaking
Interviewed in 2023, Ulysse Nardin’s chief product officer Jean-Christophe Sabatier comments that 'You cannot overstate the impact of the Freak on Swiss watchmaking'. Indeed, since its debut in 2001, the Freak has been rewriting the rules of conventional highend watchmaking. The Freak’s influence on watchmaking cannot be underestimated, its arrival disrupted the traditional world of Swiss Haute Horlogerie, disposing with aesthetic and technical norms. Here was a watch with no dial, no hands and no crown. And yet it was a mechanical watch, conceived by some of the wildest minds watchmaking had ever known. Not only were the design and engineering groundbreaking, the Freak was also the first Swiss watch with an escapement made of a new watchmaking wonder stuff - silicon. Silicon is light and elastic, frictionless, has high resistance properties, and can be produced to very fine tolerances. Today, the use of silicon in watchmaking is commonplace, but at the turn of the Millennium, it was absolutely revolutionary. The Freak went first.
The watchmaking landscape will never be the same again - because of the Freak. The Freak’s story has continued to gather momentum. Further inventions. New materials. Always the unexpected. And then in 2019, Ulysse Nardin broke the conventions of the unconventional Freak by introducing the Freak X. The concept? Still no dial. Still no hands. But this time, it did have a crown.
The Freak X was aimed at a new generation of Freak collectors. Its form was simplified - with the addition of a crown - but it was still an outlandish expression of analogue watch design. The movement bridges still doubled as the hands, and the movement included advanced developments such as the lightweight silicon balance wheel with nickel flyweights. Beating away at the watch’s heart is the UN-230 self-winding movement, a marriage of the UN-118 and the high-tech UN-250 that gave the Freak Vision its unforgettable look. The watch is water-resistant to 50 meters.
The present unique Freak X, inscribed ‘1/1’, presents pink details on the minuterie, hours and minutes pointers, hour wheel and the strap. It offers collectors the chance to obtain what is undoubtedly the most exclusive individual watch of the model whilst making an important contribution to the medical research of ELA.
For more information, please visit watchesforela.eu or christies.com.
Comments
Leave a comment