As Gerald Charles commemorates its 25th anniversary, the maison is launching a special tribute to its legendary founder, Mr. Gérald Charles Genta, with the Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition. This release not only celebrates the brand’s heritage but also pays homage to the extraordinary creativity and technical prowess of Mr. Genta, who is renowned as one of the most influential watch designers of the past two centuries. The design and function of this particular model are based on the original GC39 model from 2005, which was inspired by the ‘window watch’ style with a sliding-hour complication and was developed together with Antoine Preziuso.
The anniversary edition coincides with the opening of Gerald Charles’ archives to the public, offering a glimpse into the rich history and creative genius of its founder. With a contemporary twist on the original GC39 model, this limited-edition timepiece is set to captivate collectors and enthusiasts with its distinctive design and technical sophistication. Limited to just 100 pieces, the Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition features a striking design characterized by its unique case inspired by Baroque architecture and advanced mechanical movement. Let’s take a closer look.
The Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition is a testament to Gerald Charles’ innovative design ethos, featuring a case that captures the essence of Mr. Genta’s original vision. Crafted from polished Grade 5 titanium, the case offers a lightweight yet robust structure, measuring 42 mm squared. This size makes it the largest in the Maestro collection, expanding 3 mm beyond the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin’s case size. The design is rooted in Baroque style, inspired by Francesco Borromini’s architectural masterpiece in Rome. This becomes evident through the watch’s asymmetric profile, cascading bezel, and the unmistakable convex ‘smile’ at 6 o’clock.
Despite the case’s intricate design and the presence of a jumping hours complication, the watch maintains a slim profile at just 11 mm thick. The use of titanium, a challenging material to work with, reflects the maison’s commitment to innovation and quality, ensuring both durability and comfort. Additionally, the watch is equipped with a screw-down crown, enhancing its water resistance, rated at 100 meters, making it suitable for various environments while retaining its elegant design.
At the heart of the Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition dial lies a piece of lapis lazuli. Its shape mimics the Maestro’s distinctive silhouette and is a nod to Genta’s fondness for this semi-precious stone. Surrounding it is a dial crafted using a new precision micro-chemical engraving technique known as meta-guillochage, which creates a captivating Baroque-style multi-ray star motif. This innovative process involves layered engraving that plays with light to produce a mesmerizing effect, highlighting the intricate beauty of the design.
At 12 o’clock, the watch features a jumping hours complication, an homage to the classic ‘montre à guichet’ style. The time is elegantly displayed via a blued central hour hand, which is skeletonised to allow light to pass through and interact with the dial’s engraved surface. Polished Colormix blue cabochon indexes and a black minute track round off the dial’s aesthetic, providing a harmonious contrast to the vibrant blue frame and adding depth to the overall aesthetic. A special 25th-anniversary logo adorns the dial, marking this edition as a collector’s piece.
At the core of the Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition is the patented Swiss Manufacture 4.0 Calibre Jumping Hours, a marvel of horological engineering developed in-house by Gerald Charles. This automatic movement features a jumping hours complication, a sophisticated function rarely seen in modern watchmaking. The movement comprises 265 components and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), offering a robust 50-hour power reserve.
The jumping hours mechanism, which requires substantial energy to function, is a testament to the maison’s technical prowess and aligns with Mr. Genta’s admiration for this complication. The movement’s bridges are adorned with Côtes de Genève stripes and perlage finishes, showcasing the meticulous hand-finishing techniques perfected by Gerald Charles’ artisans. The rhodium-plated module wheels enhance the aesthetic, while the golden oscillating weight, visible through the sapphire case back, features a honeycomb motif designed by Octavio Garcia. This intricate design is complemented by the 25th-anniversary logo, underscoring the watch’s celebratory nature and the brand’s commitment to excellence.
The Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition is equipped with a Royal Blue vulcanised rubber strap, which embodies both luxury and functionality. This strap features a Clou de Paris pattern on the top side and a Gerald Charles logo tapisserie on the rear.
The choice of a rubber strap is in line with the maison’s philosophy of creating versatile watches that seamlessly transition from day to night and casual to formal settings. The strap is secured with a butterfly deployant buckle made from polished Grade 5 titanium, matching the case’s finish and ensuring a cohesive aesthetic. This combination of materials and design elements not only provides exceptional comfort and durability but also offers a sporty yet sophisticated look.
The Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition is a limited-edition release, with only 100 pieces available worldwide. Priced at 36,000 euros, the watch reflects the brand’s prestige and the exceptional craftsmanship involved in its creation. Given its limited production, the watch is expected to attract significant interest from the watch community. The first 40 pieces will be delivered at launch, with the remainder to follow, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a unique timepiece that celebrates the legacy of Mr. Gérald Charles Genta and the maison’s 25-year haute horlogerie journey.
