Elka Watches

Mr. Hakim El Kadiri - known by his nickname Elka - is the founder of Elka Watch. A lifelong horology enthusiast, he built a long and distinguished career in the industry, working with major groups such as the Swatch Group and its brands Hamilton and Rado. But Hakim El Kadiri always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. Drawing on 20 years of product development experience, he took the natural next step and launched his own Swiss luxury watch brand. Born in the 1960s, he found inspiration in that era and the vintage aesthetic it evokes today, channeling it into his first watch designs.
When he went to register the name Elka, he discovered that a brand of the same name had been created in 1913 by Dutch entrepreneur Louis Edouard Kiek in Amsterdam. Elka Watch was an abbreviation of "Edouard Louis Kiek Amsterdam." Known for its bold designs, the brand disappeared in the 1970s with the rise of quartz watches.

Without reviving the original brand, Hakim El Kadiri set out to pay tribute to his namesake through his first two collections: the Elka D Series and the Elka X Series.
The Elka D Series draws inspiration from iconic vintage design. Eye-catching dial colors - from baby pink and baby blue to classics like green, red, black, and silver - bring a modern edge to the vintage aesthetic. The Elka X Series takes a sportier approach, inspired by the aviation instruments created for the original Elka Watch brand. Crafted in stainless steel and available on NATO or leather straps, these watches deliver an authentic vintage feel. Explore both collections on Ocarat and find the watch that will be your everyday companion.