Gerald Charles donates the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin Tiger's Eye prototype to Watches for ELA at Christie's Geneva, November 2026. Collectors in the Middle East take note.
Worth Noting
- Donated to the Watches for ELA charity auction inside Christie’s Rare Watches sale in Geneva on 9 November 2026, this prototype is the very first expression of a series limited to 20 pieces, created by Gerald Charles and Ahmed Seddiqi to mark the retailer’s 75th anniversary and the watchmaker’s 25th.
- Reference GC2.0-SSMX-ET05-RSPN-SDQ; case in stainless steel with a proprietary brown Colormix finish, 39 mm × 41 mm, total thickness 9 mm.
- Dial in Tiger’s Eye stone, with no indices or minute track; powered by Calibre GCA2000, 3.7 mm thick, 189 components, 50-hour power reserve.
- All auction proceeds benefit ELA International, the European Leukodystrophies Association.
At Christie’s Rare Watches sale in Geneva on 9 November 2026, one lot carries particular weight for collectors across the Gulf. The prototype of the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin Tiger’s Eye, reference GC2.0-SSMX-ET05-RSPN-SDQ, goes under the hammer in support of ELA International, with every dirham of the proceeds directed to the European Leukodystrophies Association.
The Story Behind It
The Maestro 2.0 Tiger’s Eye was first unveiled in Dubai a year before the Christie’s donation. It originated from the friendship between Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, CEO of Ahmed Seddiqi, and Federico Ziviani, CEO of Gerald Charles, and was conceived to celebrate two parallel milestones: 75 years for Ahmed Seddiqi and 25 years for Gerald Charles.
Limited to 20 pieces, the edition was never a volume exercise. Donating the prototype to Watches for ELA transforms the origin piece into something beyond a collector’s acquisition: the first of the series now carries a medical-research mandate alongside its horological one.
Dial & Materials
Tiger’s Eye is a fibrous quartz prized for its golden shimmer and chatoyancy. Cutting it demands diamond-tipped tools and slow, controlled lapidary work; each dial passes a strict visual and structural selection before it reaches a case. Gerald Charles took the further step of removing all indices and the minute track entirely, leaving the stone to occupy the full face.
For the case, the maison applied its first-ever external Colormix finish: a metallic bronze-brown achieved through a proprietary mix of chemical and physical treatments, previously reserved for internal components and now reinforced for exterior wear. A sand-toned vulcanised rubber strap, textured on both sides, grounds the palette in a reference to the UAE landscape.
Movement & Finishing
Calibre GCA2000 measures 3.7 mm in height and comprises 189 components across 28 rubies. It runs at 4 Hz with a 50-hour power reserve. Bridges carry colimaçon, Côtes de Genève, and perlage finishing; a flat sapphire caseback makes the decoration legible from the rear. Total case thickness is 9 mm, water resistance 10 ATM.
Where It Sits in the Line-Up
Gerald Charles produces around 1,500 timepieces per year, all complying with Qualité Fleurier standards. The Maestro 2.0 Tiger’s Eye sits at the top of the Maestro family in terms of material complexity: no previous external Colormix finish, no previous dial without any track or index, and no previous stone of this lapidary difficulty. Owning the prototype means owning the piece from which the other 20 were calibrated.
| Movement | Swiss Manufacture Calibre GCA2000, automatic, 3 hands, 189 components, 28 rubies, 4 Hz, 50-hour power reserve |
| Case size | 39 mm × 41 mm; total thickness 9 mm |
| Case material | Stainless steel, brown Colormix finish, 35 components |
| Dial | Tiger’s Eye stone, no indices or minute track; baton hands with white SuperLumiNova (green at night) |
| Strap | Sand vulcanised rubber; polished Colormix stainless steel pin buckle with GC logo engraved |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM / 100 m |
| Price | Not stated (auction piece) |
| Availability | On request from the maison or an authorised retailer in the Middle East |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reference number of the Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Tiger's Eye?
The reference is GC2.0-SSMX-ET05-RSPN-SDQ. It is a limited edition of 20 pieces, created in collaboration with Ahmed Seddiqi.
Why is the Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Tiger's Eye prototype being auctioned at Christie's?
Gerald Charles donated the prototype to the Watches for ELA charity auction, held within Christie's Rare Watches sale in Geneva on 9 November 2026. All proceeds go to ELA International, the European Leukodystrophies Association.
What movement powers the Maestro 2.0 Tiger's Eye?
The watch houses the Swiss Manufacture Calibre GCA2000, an automatic movement 3.7 mm thick with 189 components, 28 rubies, a 4 Hz frequency and a 50-hour power reserve.
Is the Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Tiger's Eye available to buy in the Middle East?
The edition is limited to 20 pieces and the prototype is being offered at Christie's Geneva. Collectors in the Middle East should contact the maison or an authorised retailer directly to enquire about availability.
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