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Lot Essay
Instantly recognizable by their distinct styling, neo-vintage complicated wristwatches made and sold under Gerald Genta’s own name in the 1980s and 1990s are increasingly sought-after and prized by collectors. As Genta’s genius becomes ever more understood and appreciated, the incredible standard and finishing of his own complicated wristwatches never fails to impress. This very rare 18K gold minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch with phases of the moon and full 18k gold bracelet is a superb and classic Gerald Genta complicated wristwatch which has survived in excellent condition. Incredibly, the original box and accessories have also survived.
Featuring two of the most admired watch complications – minute repeating and perpetual calendar, it is also highly attractive with a massive circular case with curved stepped bezel, glazed screw back and T-lugs. The minute repeating mechanism is activated by depressing the rectangular-shaped button in the band at 9 o’clock. Striking and repeating mechanisms are some of the most challenging and expensive for watchmakers to create, not only in the miniaturization of the mechanism but also in their acoustic qualities and tone. When the button on the side of the case is depressed, it strikes the hours, quarter-hours and minutes on two finely tuned coiled gongs. Visible through the crystal case back, the gilt-finished movement is beautifully hand-engraved and bears the Seal of Geneva quality mark. The perfectly proportioned white dial with Roman numerals and luminous dot hour markers has four subsidiary dials indicating phases of the moon, days of the week, months combined with leap year indicator and date.
Showcasing the highest standards of watchmaking from one of the most respected of watchmakers, the harmonious aesthetics and classic complications mark this splendid watch is a great prize of exceptional quality that would make a superb addition to any serious watch collection.
Gerald Genta (1931-2011) was truly one of the greatest watch designers of all time, the genius behind several of the most famous and enduring wristwatch models that have become the foundation for success for several of the great watch brands including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier. For the watches Genta made under his own name, he is remembered as the world record holder for consecutive years in the mid-1990s for creating the world's most complicated watch, his masterpiece the ‘Grande Sonnerie’. More recognizable are the limited edition pieces that Gerald Genta created under license from The Walt Disney Company, these wristwatches featured Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Scrooge and Goofy. Still in much demand today and becoming classic in their own right, Genta's designs transcend time and fashion and remain to this day beacons of haute horology of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Without a doubt Gérald Genta has left an enduring mark in the history of watchmaking. Since his youth, he felt a strong artistic drive and dedicated himself to painting. At the age of 27, he discovered his enormous talent for the designing of timepieces, consequently inventing the profession of a ‘watch designer’, a vocation in which he immediately excelled. Amongst the world's most famous wristwatches designed by Genta are celebrated models such as Audemars Piguet's ’Royal Oak’ (1972); Patek Philippe's ’Nautilus’ (1976); Omega's ‘Constellation’ (1959); Patek Philippe's ‘Golden Ellipse’ (1968); IWC's ‘Ingenieur’ (1976); Cartier's Pasha de Cartier (1985) and IWC’s ‘Da Vinci’.
In 1969, Gerald Genta founded his own brand and launched a series of unique creations, from the ‘Répétition Minutes’ with automatic movement in a case just 2.72 mm. thick, launched in 1981, to the stunning million dollar model, the ‘Grande Sonnerie’ in 1994, at the time the most complicated wristwatch in the world.
In over 20 years of creativity, Gérald Genta has given life to some one hundred different watch models, amongst which many are true masterpieces, created with a handcrafted spirit. In 1996, Gérald Genta decided to return to his first passion, painting, and sold his company.
Taken over in 2000 by the Bulgari Group, Gérald Genta SA continues offering small series of complicated, in-house designed and produced movements combined with avant-garde design. For private requests, Genta hand-designed the movements, dials and cases of his timepieces and employed limited or no external assistance, outsourcing or mechanization during the process; it was not unusual for a single watch to take up to 5 years to complete.
Gerald Genta's clients have included athletes, businesspeople, musicians, movie stars, politicians, and royalty, including Prince Ranier III of Monaco, King Hassan II of Morocco, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and H.M. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother of England.
Featuring two of the most admired watch complications – minute repeating and perpetual calendar, it is also highly attractive with a massive circular case with curved stepped bezel, glazed screw back and T-lugs. The minute repeating mechanism is activated by depressing the rectangular-shaped button in the band at 9 o’clock. Striking and repeating mechanisms are some of the most challenging and expensive for watchmakers to create, not only in the miniaturization of the mechanism but also in their acoustic qualities and tone. When the button on the side of the case is depressed, it strikes the hours, quarter-hours and minutes on two finely tuned coiled gongs. Visible through the crystal case back, the gilt-finished movement is beautifully hand-engraved and bears the Seal of Geneva quality mark. The perfectly proportioned white dial with Roman numerals and luminous dot hour markers has four subsidiary dials indicating phases of the moon, days of the week, months combined with leap year indicator and date.
Showcasing the highest standards of watchmaking from one of the most respected of watchmakers, the harmonious aesthetics and classic complications mark this splendid watch is a great prize of exceptional quality that would make a superb addition to any serious watch collection.
Gerald Genta (1931-2011) was truly one of the greatest watch designers of all time, the genius behind several of the most famous and enduring wristwatch models that have become the foundation for success for several of the great watch brands including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier. For the watches Genta made under his own name, he is remembered as the world record holder for consecutive years in the mid-1990s for creating the world's most complicated watch, his masterpiece the ‘Grande Sonnerie’. More recognizable are the limited edition pieces that Gerald Genta created under license from The Walt Disney Company, these wristwatches featured Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Scrooge and Goofy. Still in much demand today and becoming classic in their own right, Genta's designs transcend time and fashion and remain to this day beacons of haute horology of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Without a doubt Gérald Genta has left an enduring mark in the history of watchmaking. Since his youth, he felt a strong artistic drive and dedicated himself to painting. At the age of 27, he discovered his enormous talent for the designing of timepieces, consequently inventing the profession of a ‘watch designer’, a vocation in which he immediately excelled. Amongst the world's most famous wristwatches designed by Genta are celebrated models such as Audemars Piguet's ’Royal Oak’ (1972); Patek Philippe's ’Nautilus’ (1976); Omega's ‘Constellation’ (1959); Patek Philippe's ‘Golden Ellipse’ (1968); IWC's ‘Ingenieur’ (1976); Cartier's Pasha de Cartier (1985) and IWC’s ‘Da Vinci’.
In 1969, Gerald Genta founded his own brand and launched a series of unique creations, from the ‘Répétition Minutes’ with automatic movement in a case just 2.72 mm. thick, launched in 1981, to the stunning million dollar model, the ‘Grande Sonnerie’ in 1994, at the time the most complicated wristwatch in the world.
In over 20 years of creativity, Gérald Genta has given life to some one hundred different watch models, amongst which many are true masterpieces, created with a handcrafted spirit. In 1996, Gérald Genta decided to return to his first passion, painting, and sold his company.
Taken over in 2000 by the Bulgari Group, Gérald Genta SA continues offering small series of complicated, in-house designed and produced movements combined with avant-garde design. For private requests, Genta hand-designed the movements, dials and cases of his timepieces and employed limited or no external assistance, outsourcing or mechanization during the process; it was not unusual for a single watch to take up to 5 years to complete.
Gerald Genta's clients have included athletes, businesspeople, musicians, movie stars, politicians, and royalty, including Prince Ranier III of Monaco, King Hassan II of Morocco, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and H.M. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother of England.