Even after 25 years, Gerald Charles is still creating firsts, with the introduction of the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin Lapis Lazuli being the first watch in its history to showcase a hardstone dial.
Skirting the boundaries between sports watch and dress watch, the model spotlights the legendary founder Gérald Charles Genta’s favorite stone.
From cutting of the raw stone, it’s intricate cutting and polishing, to its final assembly, the production of this dial takes a painstaking 24 hours per piece, with only 50 out of 150 dials deemed perfect enough to make the final timepieces.
Carving an elegant, asymmetric outline which distinguishes the Maestro’s silhouette, the watch’s shape is inspired by baroque motifs from art and architecture, and was one of Genta’s last great works, making the model a fitting celebration for the milestone anniversary.
The standout dial is framed by a polished stainless-steel case that’s enhanced by a blue Colormix coating to the bezel, enhancing the juxtaposition of the applied hour markers which are inlaid with white Swiss Super-LumiNova.
The dial design is completed by a new logo for the brand, with ‘Geneve’ now signed beneath the Gerald Charles word mark, emphasizing the brand’s deep connection to its atelier and Swiss excellence.
Powered by the Swiss Manufacture 2.0 caliber – an automatic movement hand-finished to Qualité Fleurier levels – it has a 50-hour power reserve, measures just 3.7mm thick, and is finished with a customized oscillating rotor that commemorates the brand’s 25th anniversary.
In addition to the celebrations, Gerald Charles has also released an updated Maestro 9.0 Tourbillon in hammered white gold.
First launched in 2005 as the first ever Maestro case with a tourbillon, the model’s signature smiling case is set off with a hand-stitched blue alligator strap.
A 50-piece limited-edition collection that’s inspired by Roman architecture and art, it features Roman numerals to the dial, surrounded by a case of pure, uncoated 18K white gold dial, alloyed with palladium.
An equally arduous process of creation, there are only a few artisans that can work with this dial technique meaning only two pieces per month can be produced
This new model features a 60-seconds flying tourbillon with the unique skeletonized cage in the shape of the GC logo, and is detailed by a blue indicator applied to the “G” of the cage that serves as a small seconds indicator.
It is water resistant up to100 meters, has 5G shock-resistance, and offers 50 hour of power reserve, despite the very high technicality.
Both watches are £POA. geraldcharles.com