Tag Archives: ElkaWatchCo

ELKA x Ace “Essence” MD09: When Less Truly Becomes More

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In a world where luxury watches often compete through complex complications and increasingly elaborate dials, the ELKA x Ace “Essence” MD09 takes the opposite approach. It strips away everything that isn’t essential, proving that true elegance often lies in restraint. Inspired by ELKA Watch Co.’s philosophy of “Form Follows Feeling,” the MD09 is a watch designed to be experienced rather than simply read.

A Collaboration Rooted in Minimalism

Created in collaboration with Ace Jewelers, the Serie D “The 36” Essence is a celebration of pure design. Limited to just 50 pieces worldwide, the watch removes traditional hour markers and numerals, allowing the dial itself to become the focal point. Instead of measuring time with visual precision, the MD09 invites the wearer to appreciate time through emotion and simplicity.

The Beauty of an Uninterrupted Blue Dial

The first thing that captures your attention is the stunning sunray blue dial.

Free from indices and numerals, the uninterrupted surface allows light to move effortlessly across the dial, creating changing shades of deep navy and electric blue depending on the viewing angle. The absence of visual clutter gives the watch a calming, almost meditative presence that is increasingly rare in modern watchmaking.

Designed to Feel Natural

Housed in ELKA’s signature 36mm pebble-shaped case, the MD09 reflects the brand’s focus on comfort and organic design. Its smooth contours recall vintage pocket watches, while the compact proportions make it equally suited to both contemporary and classic wrists.

Completing the design is ELKA’s distinctive Chevé-box sapphire crystal, whose generous curvature evokes the charm of vintage acrylic crystals while delivering the scratch resistance expected from modern sapphire.

Less Design. More Emotion.

The MD09 isn’t about displaying technical complexity. It’s about creating an emotional connection with the wearer.

By removing every unnecessary element, ELKA allows the dial, proportions and light to become the watch’s defining features. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most memorable designs are those confident enough to leave space for simplicity.

EyesOnTime’s Take

The ELKA x Ace “Essence” MD09 Blue Minimalist is a refreshing reminder that minimalism doesn’t have to feel empty. Every design choice has a purpose, from the uninterrupted blue dial to the perfectly balanced 36mm case.

For collectors who appreciate independent watchmaking, understated elegance and thoughtful design, the MD09 offers something increasingly rare in today’s market: a watch that whispers instead of shouting.

Elka Watch Co. and Christian Coigny Present “Noir et Blanc”: A Monochrome Tribute to Art and Time in Geneva

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The Art of Monochrome: Christian Coigny and Elka Watch Co. Unveil an Exclusive Collection in Geneva.

The Diorama exhibition space in Geneva is set to become the stage for a major artistic collaboration this autumn. From November 4 to December 10, renowned Swiss photographer Christian Coigny and Hakim El Kadiri, founder of the watch brand Elka Watch Co., are joining forces to present “Noir et Blanc” (Black and White), an exhibition celebrating the timeless aesthetic of monochrome.

The Dialogue Between Light and Shadow

Christian Coigny, based near Lausanne, is celebrated for his mastery of traditional black and white photography. Coigny prioritizes analog film and darkroom work, ensuring unadulterated images that capture the pure essence of a moment. His elegant and timeless body of work spans still lifes, nudes, and landscapes, along with famous campaigns for luxury houses such as Hermès and Chopard.

“I’ve always used film… I like knowing that people are seeing a photograph that has not been altered in any way… and I will continue to do so until the end.”

This philosophy of authenticity and craftsmanship deeply resonates with the vision of Hakim El Kadiri. The collaboration brings together Coigny’s dedication to purity of image with Elka’s commitment to lasting, high-quality design.

ELKA Watch Co.: A Tribute to Photography

The watches being unveiled are two Monochrome Editions of the S Series, a genuine tribute to the black and white aesthetic:

· The Black Edition: A total immersion in shadow. This entirely black watch embodies the dramatic contrasts and bold sophistication of classic photography.

· The White Edition (Monochrome White Edition): A study of light. This entirely white piece celebrates the highlights, soft whites, and subtle gradients of a perfectly exposed image, symbolizing design clarity and purity.

Technical Details and Availability

Exclusivity and Pricing

The collection comprises four distinct models (The Black Edition and The White Edition, each offered in 40.8 mm and 36 mm sizes).

· Limited Edition: Each of the four models is strictly limited to only 100 individually numbered pieces (0/100 per model).

· Retail Price: 1855 CHF (Swiss VAT 8.1% included) per model.

Exclusive Pre-Sale and Delivery

The watches will be available for pre-sale exclusively at the Espace Diorama for the entire duration of the exhibition, marking a world exclusive. Deliveries to clients are scheduled for around December 10, 2025.

Key Technical Specifications

The collection is powered by a La Joux-Perret G101 Automatic movement (Swiss Manufacture, La Chaux-de-Fonds), offering a substantial 68-hour power reserve at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). The crystal is a Chevé-Box Sapphire, a design that mimics the domed, warm appearance of vintage Hesalite crystals while ensuring the superior scratch resistance of sapphire.

Brand and Venue Information

The Story of Elka Watch Company

Founded by Hakim El Kadiri, a veteran of the watch industry, Elka Watch Company (re-established in 2022) draws inspiration from the aesthetics of the 1960s. The name is both Hakim’s childhood nickname and a tribute to the historic ELKA Watch Company once operated in Amsterdam. Elka’s modern collections are guided by a philosophy focused on simplicity, clarity, and human connection.

Espace Diorama

Espace Diorama is an exhibition space in the heart of Geneva where the medium of photography serves as a common thread. It is dedicated to the discovery of Switzerland’s cultural diversity and its diasporas.

 

Elka Watch Co. Launches Arinis x Loch Lãt: An Amber-Hued Swiss Dive Watch Embracing 4,000 Years of History

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Elka Watch Co., the independent Swiss watch brand re-launched by Hakim El Kadiri, is proud to announce the debut of Arinis x Loch Lãt. This new dive watch is the result of an exceptional collaboration, blending Swiss watchmaking precision with the rich millennia-old heritage of Saint-Blaise. It pays tribute to the ancient feats of the Romans and the civilizations that shaped the shores of Lake Neuchâtel.

More than 2,000 years ago, in 80 BCE, the Roman Empire quarried stones from Arinis (the ancient name for Saint-Blaise) to build Aventicum, its future Helvetian capital. For a decade, ten barges a day transported sandstone across the lake, a monumental feat of ancient engineering. Centuries earlier, around 2600 BCE, the Wheel of Saint-Blaise – one of the oldest wheels ever discovered – already testified to the ingenuity of local civilizations. Today, this ancestral wheel is the symbol of Loch Lãt Whisky, named after a small lake nestled in Saint-Blaise.

“Arinis x Loch Lãt is much more than a watch; it’s a tangible link to history,” says Hakim El Kadiri, founder of Elka Watch Co. “We wanted to create a timepiece that captures the spirit of these ancient engineers. Its amber hues reflect both the nuances of the whisky and the color of the stones transported by Roman barges. Its robust design embodies the resilience and durability rooted in Saint-Blaise’s history. It’s the perfect union between Arinis’s heritage and Loch Lãt’s soul.”

Arinis x Loch Lãt: When a dive watch dons amber, history meets precision.

Key Technical Specifications:

  • Caliber: La Joux Perret G100 automatic (4 Hz / 28’800 A/h), with stop-second function and an impressive 68-hour power reserve.
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds.
  • Case: 41 mm diameter in 1.4404 steel, 11.85 mm thick, 46.50 mm lug-to-lug.
  • Bezel: Unidirectional rotating (120 positions) with a ceramic insert filled with Superluminova.
  • Crown & Case Back: Screw-down in stainless steel for enhanced security.
  • Hands: Brushed nickel, filled with Superluminova for optimal readability.
  • Crystal: “Chevé box” type sapphire crystal, scratch-resistant, with anti-reflective treatment on one side.
  • Water Resistance: 200 meters / 20 bars, ideal for diving and water activities.

About Elka Watch Co. and Hakim El Kadiri:

Elka Watch Co. is an independent Swiss watch brand, re-launched in 2022 by Hakim El Kadiri, who previously held senior development positions at several Swatch Group brands, including Rado, Hamilton, Endura, and Swatch. The brand draws on a rich watchmaking heritage, as Elka was founded in 1877 by Edouard Louis Kiek in Amsterdam (hence the acronym Elka). Kiek was notably the watchmaker to Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. Elka Watch distinguishes itself with its neo-vintage Swiss watches, which are elegant and minimalist, drawing inspiration from this long history and a product philosophy focused on creating objects designed to last a lifetime.

Elka Watch’s motto today is “Form Follows Function,” reflecting a design approach where aesthetics serve utility and durability. The brand aims to create high-quality, unique, and timeless watches, reminiscent of the pure and colorful aesthetic of the 1960s. The case shapes of several models are inspired by pocket watches, seeking to create an “organic” and pleasant-to-touch object.