Maurice Lacroix 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde Supports ELA

A unique timepiece with pink accents will be auctioned at Christie’s to support research into leukodystrophies and families affected by these rare genetic diseases.

The Maurice Lacroix 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde is a unique timepiece created to support the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA). Featuring distinctive pink accents, the watch will be auctioned at Christie’s Rare Watches sale in Geneva on 9 November 2026, with the proceeds contributing to the fight against leukodystrophies, a group of rare genetic diseases that affect the nervous system.

The auction is part of Watches for ELA, an initiative bringing together around twenty watch brands in support of the association. Zinédine Zidane, an ELA ambassador since 2000, will also participate by auctioning his very first watch. Through this initiative, Maurice Lacroix joins the effort to support affected families and advance medical research.

Pink Accents With A Purpose

For this one-of-a-kind creation, Maurice Lacroix has reinterpreted the 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde, combining two of the Maison’s signature complications: a large date display at 12 o’clock and a retrograde day-of-the-week indication at 6 o’clock. The transparent sapphire dial reveals the mechanical architecture beneath, making the movement an integral part of the watch’s visual identity.

Pink provides the defining detail of this special edition. The colour appears on the minute track and the retrograde day hand, standing out against the visible mechanical components. The same theme continues on the black alligator-embossed leather strap, which features contrasting pink stitching.

The sapphire caseback carries the ELA logo printed in pink, reinforcing the direct connection between this unique watch and the association it supports. Rather than relying on a complete change of design, Maurice Lacroix has used carefully placed accents to give an established model a distinct identity.

The Manufacture ML302 Calibre On Display

At the heart of the watch is the automatic Manufacture ML302 calibre, described by Maurice Lacroix as the 26th Masterpiece calibre developed by the Maison. It brings together the grand date and retrograde day indications, while its construction remains visible through both the sapphire dial and the open caseback.

The movement offers hours, minutes and seconds, alongside the large date at 12 o’clock and the retrograde day display at 6 o’clock. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, and provides approximately 38 hours of power reserve.

Its finishing is also part of the presentation. The rhodium-plated movement features perlage, colimaçon finishing, traits tirés and vertical Côtes de Genève, while the skeletonised rotor and contrasting finishes offer different perspectives on the mechanism. On the dial side, the black rhodium-plated front plate and rhodium-plated details add further depth to the transparent composition.

The 42 mm stainless steel case combines brushed and polished surfaces. A large box-shaped sapphire crystal enhances the sense of depth, while two correctors allow adjustment of the date and retrograde day indications. Water resistance is rated at 50 metres, or 5 ATM.

The faceted rhodium-plated hour and minute hands are filled with white Super-LumiNova, emitting a green glow in low-light conditions. A pink faceted hand indicates the retrograde day, adding another colourful contrast to the otherwise technical aesthetic.

A Unique Watch For A Wider Cause

The 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde created for ELA is a one-of-a-kind timepiece, reference 758008-S1S12-000-3. Its exclusive pink details distinguish it from the regular model, but its significance extends beyond its design and mechanical features.

By contributing a unique watch to Watches for ELA, Maurice Lacroix is using its craft to support an association that brings together families affected by leukodystrophies and helps advance research into these rare diseases. The timepiece will be offered at Christie’s Rare Watches auction in Geneva on 9 November 2026, with the proceeds contributing to the cause.

For this creation, pink is more than a visual signature: it connects the watch to the people and research it has been designed to support.

Technical Specifications

For more information, please visit the official Maurice Lacroix website.

Explore the releases of 2026.