The Man, The Myth, the Legend; The Gérald Genta
The Man Who Changed Modern Watch Design
Gérald Genta was born in Geneva, Switzerland on May first, 1931. After studying jewelry and goldsmithing at the Geneva School of Arts and Crafts, Gérald Genta graduated in 1951 at just 20 years old. Shortly afterward, he joined Universal Genève, where his remarkable career in watch design began. Genta was only 23 years old when Universal Genève recruited him to later design the Polerouter for Scandinavian Airlines, making it one of Universal's Genève’s most successful watches and taking Gérald Genta onto the next level in the luxury watch industry.
OMEGA 1950s - 1960s
In 1959 at the age of 28 Gérald Genta had built momentum after successfully designing the Universal Genève Poleroute. Genta had started to create an impeccable reputation and people were loving him and his work as a young industrial designer. In 1959 during a time where Omega was looking to modernize their collection line, Genta had a unique capability to combine elegance with functionality and Omega wanted in on it. Gérald began to freelance work for Omega, helping them redesign the Constellation collection. Gérald Genta became one of the most sought after freelance designers of his generation. Omega, amazed with his brilliances, offered him a full time job with them, however, Genta chose to continue working independently, which allowed him to to continue designing for multiple brands at the same time.
AUDEMARS PIGUET - 1972
In 1972 the Swiss watch industry was facing the Quartz Crisis, during a time where inexpensive Japanese quartz were threatening traditional Swiss manufacturers due to its cheaper cost and better accuracy. Many people wonder if this will be the end of mechanical watches. At the time AP was a small family owned business that could not compete with mass produced quartz watches on price. However, they did have one key factor that helped them redefine their brand and secure a life lasting spot on the list of best Luxury watch brands. Audemars Piguet decided to go against the current, and to defeat the quartz trend, they asked Gérald Genta to design a luxury sports watch made entirely of stainless steel that could justify a luxury price. Once again, Genta delivered by creating the one and only AP Royal Oak. Audemars Piguet had something that nobody else had ever attempted, and Gérald Genta saved AP from aiming to compete in a market it couldn't. The Royal Oak redirected the luxury watch industry, changing it forever and creating a new luxury sports watch in stainless steel.
PATEK PHILIPPE - 1976
The success from AP attracted more brands towards the Gérald Genta magic, making Patek Philippe the next brand Genta designed for. Audemars Piguet had initiated a new trend, which led to Patek Philippe introducing its first Gérald Genta designed piece; the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3700/1A also known as “The Jumbo”. According to Genta the inspiration came from a sji[s’ porthole and he sketched the timepiece in a few minutes while sitting at a restaurant at the Basel Watch Fair right after spotting the Patek Philippe executives on the other side of the room. Patek Philippe made a bold move with the Nautilus because at this point in time the brand was best known for its elegant gold dress pieces, not for big stainless steel sports watches. Similar to the AP Royal Oak, Patek’s newest design was judged with skepticism, however over time it became one of the most iconic luxury watches ever produced. Today the Patek Philippe nautilus is known as one of Gérald Genta’s greatest achievements and it is still one of the most desirable watches in the world.
GÉRALD GENTA - 1969
After years of designing other popular and well known brands, Genta knew it was time for something truly special, something unique and creative. Gérald Genta spent his entire career designing what we know today are the most iconic, desirable and most famous brands among the luxury watch industry. He was successful, he was known and looked up to, and he was one of the brightest watch designers the industry has seen. However, he was missing one thing: complete creative freedom. Gérald Genta founded his own brand “Gérald Genta” in 1969 allowing him to create watches from his own vision rather than someone else’ s. Genta’s brand became known for, minute repeaters, perpetual calendars, Grande Sonnerie complications, retrograde displays, Disney character watches combined with high complications, and bold geometric case designs. His pieces were not just aesthetically pleasing and beautiful, they pushed the limits of what mechanical watchmaking could achieve. In 2000 Bulgari bought the brand from Genta and sold its watches until 2010 when Bulgari decided to discontinue the Gérald Genta brand altogether and instead chose to incorporate its complications and techincal expertise into Bulgari watch making. After the acquisition Genta fully stepped away from his brand, and decided to create Gérald Charles in 2001 where he continued to design watches.
WHY IS GÉRALD GENTA SO IMPORTANT
Today Gérald Genta’s watches are known as the “Picasso” of watchmaking. Over Genta’s lifetime, he designed more than 100,000 watches and his work shaped some of the most influential timepieces ever created. Genta also contributed to brands like IWC Ingenieur designing the SL and Cartier with the Cartier Pasha. His hard work and dedication are an inspiration to anyone who works for or enjoys the world of luxury watches and although he has already passed his creations continue to be at the top of all collectors lists.
If you are interested in the watches above or looking for your first or next purchase please explore our current selection below and or visit our website for more unique pieces
