A unique Maurice Lacroix 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde with pink accents goes to Christie's auction on 9 November 2026 in support of ELA research.
A First Reading
- Scheduled for 9 November 2026 in Geneva, the Christie’s Rare Watches sale will offer a unique 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde (ref. 758008-S1S12-000-3) created by Maurice Lacroix in support of the European Leukodystrophy Association, with all proceeds directed to research into rare genetic diseases affecting the nervous system.
- Pink accents on the minute track, retrograde day hand, caseback printing, and strap stitching carry the ELA visual signature throughout the piece.
- The automatic Manufacture Calibre ML302 combines a grand date at 12 o’clock and a retrograde day indication at 6 o’clock, visible through both the sapphire dial and open caseback.
- Football ambassador Zinédine Zidane, an ELA supporter since 2000, will auction his first-ever watch at the same event.
Case, Setting and Finishing
The 42 mm stainless steel case alternates brushed and polished surfaces across its 12.75 mm profile, a controlled contrast that keeps the proportions precise without visual clutter.
A large sapphire crystal box sits above the dial, amplifying the sense of depth. On the reverse, the open caseback carries a sapphire crystal printed in pink with the ELA logo, positioned directly above the rhodium-plated ML302 calibre. The black alligator-embossed leather strap closes the visual loop: pink stitching at its edges mirrors the accents on the dial, extending the ELA signature to the wrist. Water resistance reaches 5 ATM / 50 metres.
Dial and Stone Artistry
Transparency is the organising principle of the dial, and every element around it is chosen to reinforce, rather than interrupt, the view into the movement beneath.
The transparent sapphire dial carries no indexes. A rhodium-plated external flange and white markings supply the necessary readability without closing off the architecture. Pink printing on the minute track stands out over the visible bridges and large date discs below. The pink faceted retrograde hand at 6 o’clock provides the single strongest chromatic accent on the front of the watch. Rhodium-plated trapeze hour and minute hands carry white Super-LumiNova with a green emission for low-light legibility.
Movement and Material Engineering
Powering the piece is the automatic Manufacture Calibre ML302, the 26th in-house Masterpiece calibre developed by Maurice Lacroix.
The calibre runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, stores approximately 38 hours of power reserve, and carries 39 jewels. On the dial side, a black rhodium-plated sandblasted front plate with traits tirés finishing on the bridges provides a dark backdrop that heightens the readability of the grand date discs at 12 o’clock. On the rotor side, perlage, colimaçon-finished bridges and a skeletonised rotor with vertical Côtes de Genève reward any collector who turns the watch over. The “Masterpiece ML302” engraving on the front plate identifies the calibre’s lineage within Maurice Lacroix’s manufacture history. Available exclusively through the Christie’s Rare Watches sale on 9 November 2026 in Geneva, this is a single piece whose auction proceeds go entirely to ELA.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Movement | Automatic Manufacture Calibre ML302; grand date at 12 o’clock; retrograde day of the week at 6 o’clock; approx. 38 h power reserve; 28,800 vph / 4 Hz; 39 jewels |
| Case size | 42 mm diameter; 12.75 mm thickness |
| Case material | Brushed and polished stainless steel; sapphire crystal box; open sapphire caseback with pink ELA logo printing |
| Dial | Transparent sapphire; exclusive pink printing; rhodium-plated external flange; white markings; no indexes |
| Strap | Black alligator-embossed leather; contrasting pink stitching; stainless steel butterfly buckle; easy-change system |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM / 50 metres |
| Price | Auction (Christie’s Rare Watches, Geneva, 9 November 2026) |
| Availability | One-of-a-kind piece; auctioned by Christie’s Geneva on 9 November 2026; proceeds to the European Leukodystrophy Association |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reference number of the Maurice Lacroix ELA charity watch?
The unique timepiece carries reference 758008-S1S12-000-3. It is a one-of-a-kind creation and will not be produced in a regular series.
Which movement powers the Maurice Lacroix 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde created for ELA?
The watch is powered by the in-house automatic Manufacture Calibre ML302, the 26th Masterpiece calibre developed by Maurice Lacroix. It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, offers approximately 38 hours of power reserve, and features a grand date at 12 o'clock alongside a retrograde day indication at 6 o'clock.
When and where will the Maurice Lacroix ELA watch be auctioned?
The watch will be offered at Christie's Rare Watches sale in Geneva on 9 November 2026. Proceeds from the auction will go directly to the European Leukodystrophy Association to fund research into rare genetic diseases.
What decorative finishing does the ML302 calibre receive in the ELA edition?
The ML302 features perlage and colimaçon-finished bridges on the rotor side, a black rhodium-plated sandblasted front plate with traits tirés finishing on the dial-side bridges, and a skeletonised rotor decorated with vertical Côtes de Genève. The ELA logo is printed in pink on the sapphire caseback above the movement.
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