Gérald Genta,
The Gérald Genta Heritage: The Master of Icons
Gérald Genta is a key figure in contemporary watchmaking, recognized as one of the most influential designers of all time. His career began in the 1960s, and he quickly established himself as a visionary. With a unique ability to reinvent the codes of luxury, he signed creations that are today considered timeless icons.
His most famous works include the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (1972), the first steel watch to be sold as a luxury product, the Patek Philippe Nautilus (1976), and the IWC Ingenieur SL (1976). He also worked with Omega, redesigning the Constellation, and for Bulgari, launching the Bulgari Bulgari model, which remains a pillar of the company. In a more daring vein, he also designed the first Disney watches for adults, demonstrating his boundless creativity.
In 1969, Genta founded his own brand, a laboratory of ideas that pushed back the boundaries of design and mechanical innovation. His often daring creations combined extreme complications, unique dials and exceptional craftsmanship. Among them, the Grande Sonnerie watch, created in 1994, remains one of the most complex in watchmaking history.
After decades of success, the Gérald Genta brand became part of Bulgari in 2000, a transition that preserved its avant-garde spirit while benefiting from the group’s industrial expertise. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that the Gérald Genta name resurfaced with a bang. Under the impetus of La Fabrique du Temps, owned by LVMH, the brand is reborn to pay tribute to the master and his immense legacy.
This relaunch is accompanied by extreme care to respect Gérald Genta’s original vision: bold designs, innovative watch complications, and meticulous attention to detail. The new collections perpetuate this boldness by appealing to a new generation of collectors, while remaining true to the values of excellence and creativity that have defined Gérald Genta’s career.
