ELA International (European Leukodystrophy Association) is pleased to announce its second charity auction, Watches For ELA, with the valuable support of Christie’s. This event will showcase timepieces donated by generous watchmaking brands. The watches will be auctioned by Christie’s as part of the Rare Watches Live Auction on 9 November 2026 in Geneva.
Building on the encouraging success of the first Watches for ELA auction in 2024, ELA International and Christie’s are honored to present this second edition. Once again, the talent and generosity of watchmaking houses will support sick children. As in 2024, the objective of this sale is to strengthen funding for medical research on leukodystrophies and to support affected families.
Thanks to the funds raised during the 2024 edition of Watches for ELA, ELA International launched a call for projects amounting to €500,000 to finance preclinical studies on a particularly rare leukodystrophy: Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. The remaining funds €400,000, allow ELA associations to organize essential respite opportunities for European families (more than 1,200 people have already benefited from these extended weekends).
In 2026, Watches for ELA will present a selection of watches generously donated by some of the world’s most creative watchmakers: Alpina, Artya, Atælier Haute Complication, Bovet, Cédric Johner, Felipe Pikullik, Frédérique Constant, Gerald Charles, Kollokium, Konstantin Chaykin, Louis Erard, Louis Moinet, Maurice Lacroix, Mauron Musy, Montblanc, Pequignet, Tissot. Additional brands are expected to join the initiative by November 2026.
François-Henri Pinault: “The ELA association, which I have supported for many years, does extraordinary work alongside researchers as well as the children and families affected by leukodystrophies. It is more necessary than ever to mobilize and support them in this fight. I sincerely hope that this charity auction will be a great success. I would like to thank the watch manufacturers who took part in this auction for their generosity, as well as the Christie’s teams for their commitment to this cause.”
Zinédine Zidane: “We must stand up to this disease, fight it, and try to eliminate it and defeat it. It’s not easy, because daily life is difficult, but we must believe that one day all of this will end. Even if it is hard for families, hope must remain. As for me, I will always be there for ELA.”
Guy Alba, President of ELA International: “Watches for ELA came to life thanks to the talent of renowned watchmaking houses, the support and expertise of Christie’s and its teams, the long-standing loyalty of Zinédine Zidane who has stood beside ELA for 25 years, and the sincere and exceptional friendship and commitment of François-Henri Pinault. We also express our gratitude to all collectors and future buyers, whose generosity brings real hope to families affected by leukodystrophies.”
Rémi Guillemin, Head of Watches Department, Christie’s Europe & US: “At Christie’s we are very much looking forward welcoming WATCHES FOR ELA back to our auction room in Geneva. We like to express our gratitude to brands which have already expressed their commitment and hope many more will follow to raise funds for a much-needed support to families affected by leukodystrophies.”
The watches will embark on a global world tour before being exhibited at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues ahead of the auction taking place on 6 November 2026.
About ELA
Founded in 1992 in France by Guy Alba and sponsored by Zinédine Zidane, the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA) brings together families who are working to defeat these genetic diseases that destroy the myelin (the nerve sheath) of the central nervous system. Every week in Europe, 20 to 40 children are born with these diseases, which progressively lead to the loss of all sensory, motor and other vital functions.
Today, ELA International groups together 7 ELA associations in Europe: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland, and brings together researchers from all over the world. Since its creation, thanks to donations, ELA has funded 601 research programmes for a total amount of €51,9 million. As such, ELA is the world’s leading nonprofit funder of medical research into leukodystrophies.
About Christie’s
This upcoming sale represents Christie’s third collaboration with ELA, following the successful charity auction “The Star’s Hearts Beat for ELA” in Paris in 2021 and the first Watches for Ela sale held in 2024. With over a century of experience in charity auctions, including the Red Cross auction in 1918, Christie’s continues to support research and humanitarian causes worldwide.
Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. Renowned and trusted for its expert live and online-only auctions, as well as bespoke Private Sales, Christie’s unparalleled network of specialists offers clients a full portfolio of global services. Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 6 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history and achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction.
hristie’s is also committed to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide.