KERBEDANZ 65’27” Tree Of Life: A Unique Watch For ELA

Created for the 2026 Watches for ELA charity auction, this one-of-a-kind titanium timepiece combines independent Haute Horlogerie, miniature hand-painted artwork and a mechanical display that aligns every 65 minutes and 27 seconds.

The KERBEDANZ 65’27” Tree Of Life is a unique creation developed specifically for the 2026 Watches for ELA charity auction, scheduled for 9 November in Geneva with the support of Christie’s. Made in collaboration with artist Gezim Meta, the watch brings together the Maison’s unconventional approach to displaying time and the intricate art of miniature painting. Its two hand-painted compositions, one on the rotating hour disc and the other on the oscillating mass, transform the watch into a piece with a story that extends beyond its mechanical function.

The project also gives a particular meaning to the idea of transmission. The Tree of Life, painted on the back of the watch, represents continuity, resilience and the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next. Within the context of Watches for ELA, this symbolism takes on an additional significance, connecting the work of the watchmaker and artist with a charitable initiative supporting the European Leukodystrophy Association.

KERBEDANZ Tree Of Life: When Time Becomes Art

The 65’27” collection is built around an unusual way of displaying time. Rather than relying on a conventional central hour hand, the watch uses a rotating hour disc and a separate minute hand. Every 65 minutes and 27 seconds, the two indications align perfectly with a diamond hour marker, creating a fleeting moment of visual harmony before the display continues its cycle.

This mechanical choreography is the defining feature of the collection. It encourages the wearer to observe and anticipate a particular moment instead of treating time solely as a sequence of readings. For this unique ELA creation, KERBEDANZ has taken the concept further by turning the rotating hour disc into a canvas.

The disc is decorated with a composition of geometric forms in several shades of blue, from deep, nocturnal tones to brighter azure. The artwork interacts with the mechanical architecture beneath it, while its appearance changes with the movement of the disc, the light and the viewing angle. As a result, the dial-side painting is never entirely static.

Gezim Meta And The Art Of Miniature Painting

The artistic dimension of the watch comes from Gezim Meta, whose work focuses on hyperrealism, micro-painting and enamelling. His interest in miniature techniques developed further after discovering Grand Feu enamelling in 2019. Since 2023, he has been part of Geneva-based Mu-Tech, continuing to develop his knowledge of traditional métiers d’art while pursuing his own artistic projects.

For the KERBEDANZ 65’27” Tree Of Life, the scale of the work presented a considerable challenge. The micro-painting on the rotating hour disc required approximately 24 hours of meticulous work. A further 36 hours were devoted to the Tree of Life on the systemic oscillating mass, with around six additional hours of firing across the two components to fix and reveal the depth of the colours.

In total, the two compositions required approximately 66 hours of artistic work and firing. At this scale, even the smallest variation in colour, proportion or line can affect the final result. The process therefore reflects a shared philosophy between miniature painting and mechanical watchmaking: both demand precision, patience and years of accumulated expertise.

The Tree Of Life: A Symbol Of Transmission

Turning the watch over reveals its second artistic composition. Across the titanium systemic oscillating mass, Meta has painted his interpretation of the Tree of Life as a mosaic of blue tones. Its roots extend through the composition, its trunk rises at the centre and its branches reach towards the light.

The symbolism is deliberate. The Tree of Life has represented origin, continuity, resilience and renewal across cultures and generations. Its roots evoke memory, identity and inherited knowledge, while the trunk represents the present and the strength needed to move forward. Its branches, meanwhile, suggest hope and the possibilities that can be passed on to future generations.

The image also connects naturally with the movement of the watch itself. The oscillating mass moves with the wearer and contributes to winding the mechanism, transforming human movement into mechanical energy. In this context, the Tree of Life becomes a metaphor for transmission: something received, transformed and passed forward.

Around the artwork is the sentence: “What you wish to ignite in others must first burn within you.” It provides an additional layer of meaning to a watch conceived around craftsmanship, artistic expression and a charitable purpose.

Titanium Engineering Beneath The Artwork

The 38 mm Grade 5 titanium case provides a restrained setting for the two painted compositions. The choice of material is also reflected in the rotating hour disc, which uses a honeycomb structure to reduce mass while preserving the rigidity required for reliable operation.

The same principle is applied to the systemic oscillating mass, also made from titanium with a honeycomb architecture. Its construction is designed to optimise weight distribution and winding efficiency while maintaining the slender proportions required by the movement.

Inside is the extra-thin automatic KRB10 calibre. The watch displays the hours through its rotating disc and indicates the minutes with a separate hand, with the diamond hour marker providing the reference for the distinctive alignment event. The caseback is fitted with sapphire crystal, allowing the painted oscillating mass to remain visible.

The technical architecture is therefore closely connected to the artistic concept. The rotating disc and the oscillating mass are not merely functional components; they are the two surfaces that carry the story of this unique creation.

A Unique Piece For Watches For ELA

The KERBEDANZ 65’27” Tree Of Life is a one-of-a-kind watch created for the 2026 Watches for ELA charity auction, taking place in Geneva on 9 November with the support of Christie’s. Its significance lies in the meeting of independent watchmaking, miniature painting and a symbolic theme centred on resilience and transmission.

For a future owner, the watch represents more than a rare addition to a collection. It is a unique collaboration between KERBEDANZ and Gezim Meta, created for a specific occasion and connected to a charitable initiative supporting the European Leukodystrophy Association.

Every 65 minutes and 27 seconds, the indications return to alignment for a brief moment. The artwork on the front evolves with the rotating disc, while the Tree of Life on the reverse offers a reminder of continuity and the knowledge passed from one generation to the next. Together, these elements make the 65’27” Tree Of Life a timepiece in which mechanical precision and artistic expression serve a purpose beyond the measurement of time.

Technical Specifications

For more information, please visit the official Kerbedanz website.

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