Gerald Genta Octo Bi-Retro Watch OBR.Y.50
View Similar Items
Gerald Genta Octo Bi-Retro Watch OBR.Y.50
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 21st Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Southampton, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: 1854821stDibs: LU6829583902
Gérald Genta
It’s safe to say that Gérald Genta radically changed contemporary watchmaking. As a designer and engineer, he transformed both the overall appearance of timepieces and how they function. He’s also one of the few watchmakers whose creations for brands other than his own earned him worldwide acclaim.
Born in Geneva, the capital of the Swiss watch industry, Gérald Charles Genta was hired by watch manufacturer Universal Genève at the age of 20 after finishing his training as a jewelry goldsmith. That his career would be in horology was pretty much set in stone when at 23 years old he was assigned to create a timepiece for Scandinavian Airline Systems (SAS) to celebrate its inaugural flight from Copenhagen to Los Angeles via the North Pole. The first models of the watch, named the Polerouter, were given to the cabin crew upon landing at Los Angeles International Airport.
In the late 1950s and early ’60s, Genta worked for Omega on its line of Constellation watches, which further cemented his position as a star designer. In 1958, his relationship with Patek Philippe began with the Golden Ellipse, whose oval case was a stylish departure from the house’s more serious, round Calatrava.
Genta created his most iconic designs in the 1970s — a difficult time for the Swiss watch industry, when Japanese battery-powered quartz timepieces challenged the primacy of traditional mechanical models.
The octagonal case for the Royal Oak, introduced by Audemars Piguet in 1972 and perhaps Genta’s best-known creation, was based on vintage diving helmets that attached to the rest of the suit with screws. Genta had a thing for screws, and the Royal Oak had eight of them arranged in a symmetrical pattern on the bezel. The design marked the first time stainless steel was used for a luxury sports watch, kicking off the now ubiquitous trend for sports-chic stainless-steel timepieces with steel integrated bracelets — metal watch bands designed to fit seamlessly, in terms of both aesthetics and function, with the case.
In addition to devising the Royal Oak and the Nautilus during this period, Genta famously redesigned IWC’s Ingenieur in 1976, adding five screws to the bezel in an asymmetrical pattern.
In 1977, he created the Bulgari Bvlgari, based on a Roman coin, and later, an updated version of the Pasha de Cartier, originally designed in 1931 by Louis Cartier as a one-off for the pasha of Marrakech. Genta reconceived the piece as a luxury sports watch with a round case that distinguished it from other Cartier watches, like the Tank and the Baignoire.
He and his wife, Evelyne Genta, formed their own firm in 1969, producing haute timepieces for private clients, who included royalty, like Great Britain’s Queen Mother and the sultans of Brunei and Oman, in addition to business magnates, sports figures and entertainers.
“It was an unusual brand, doing mostly prototypes,” recounted Evelyne. “His passion was creating a new watch every day. He expressed himself as he wanted.”
Even after Bvlgari acquired Genta’s firm, in 2000, he continued making watches under the name Gérald Charles. However, despite his enviably long run and the indelible mark he made on every facet of watchmaking, Genta will always be best remembered for popularizing the steel sports watch.
Find vintage Gérald Genta watches on 1stDibs.
- Bvlgari Octo Velocissimo Chronograph Watch 102116By BulgariLocated in Southampton, PAThe simple yet complex look of this timepiece is also one of Gerald Genta's designs. The Bvlgari Octo Velocissimo ref.102116 features a 41mm-wide case fin...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
- MB & F Horological Machine No. 3 Sidewinder Rose Gold Leather Watch HM3Located in Southampton, PAThe watch to wear when you want ingenuity on your arm. This MB&F HM3 Sidewinder features a unique 'spaceship' case in 18K rose gold measuring 47 x 50 x 16 mm. You have a three-display layout: a half-circle showing the date indicated by a rotating disc, and two time-indicating cones displaying hours and day/night indications. The front side of the watch offers a full display of the machine's super finish. On the case back are two large ceramic bearings. Inside this timepiece is a 36-jewel Sowind-base three-dimensional engine with 304 components. The movement was designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht and Agenhor. This pre-owned MB&F Horological Machine No. 3 Sidewinder Rose Gold Leather Watch...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Grande Complication Watch 26065OR.OO.D088CR.01By Audemars PiguetLocated in Southampton, PAWho can say no to this exquisite rose gold Grande Complication from Audemars Piguet? A rare gem, this Royal Oak Grande Complication ref. 26065OR.OO.D088CR.01 is a skeletonized wristw...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Patek Philippe Vintage Carré-Tortue Watch 2488By Patek PhilippeLocated in Southampton, PAA unique piece to add to your collection is this unassuming yet highly sought-after Patek Philippe Carré-Tortue ref.2488 from the 1950s. It bears a 28mm square-turtle case in 18K yellow gold with a silvered dial and a thick crystal that gives depth to the watch. On its simple and unpretentious dial are thin gold baton indexes and hands, and a seconds sub-dial at 6. The top-quality, full-bridge manually-wound caliber 10-200 is behind this timepiece. The watch is worn on a black leather strap with a yellow gold tang buckle. This is a pre-owned Patek Philippe Carré-Tortue 18K Yellow Gold Square Watch...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Lacoste Capbreton Stainless Steel Watch 2010944By LacosteLocated in Southampton, PAThis is the Lacoste Capbreton watch, reference number 2010944. It is presented with a stainless steel case that measures 46 mm in diameter. The case is water-resistant to 50 meters ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Breguet Classique Perpetual Calendar Watch 5327BB/IE/9V6By BreguetLocated in Southampton, PAIt's easy to see why this Breguet Classique is gaining in popularity among watch collectors. The Breguet Classique Perpetual Calendar Watch ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, White Gold
- Gerald Genta Retro Classic Stainless Steel Watch Ref G.3624By Gérald GentaLocated in Surfside, FLGerald Genta Retro Classic Jump Hour in stainless steel. Quartz. 27 mm case size. With box and booklets. Ref G.3624. Circa 1990's. Fine Pre-...Category
1990s Wrist Watches
MaterialsSteel, Stainless Steel
- Gerald Genta Retro Sport Jumping HourBy Gérald GentaLocated in Antwerp, BEGerald Genta Retro Sport Jumping Hour Reference number: RSP.X.10 Movement: automatic Functions: jumping hour Case: stainless steel, bezel set with diam...Category
Early 2000s Swiss Artist Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Stainless Steel
- Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse Quartz Watch Red Leather StrapBy Gérald GentaLocated in Antwerp, BEGerald Genta Mickey Mouse Quartz Watch Red Leather Strap Very rare and exclusive collectors watch ! Movement: Quartz Functions: Hours, Mi...Category
20th Century Artist Wrist Watches
MaterialsQuartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
- Gerald Genta Custom Watch with Exquisite 5 Carat Pink Diamond and 18K Gold BezelBy Gérald GentaLocated in Sherman Oaks, CAThis custom designed Gérald Genta watch was created for the President of Gabon, Omar Bongo. The stunning watch features over 5 carats of pink diamonds - 28...Category
1990s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
$499,999 Sale Price33% Off - Ladies Gerald Genta-Bvlgari Tubogas Wristwatch, Prototype Piece UniqueBy BulgariLocated in Antwerp, BEGerald Genta / Bvlgari Tubogas wristwatch. Propably Prototype from Gerald Genta,piece unique , the Patek Philippe Nautilus Designer a...Category
20th Century Italian Artisan Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Gerald Genta Steel Chronograph Sport, Ref CHS-X-10, Automatic & DiamondsBy Gérald GentaLocated in Antwerp, BEGerald Genta Chrono Sport, Ref CHS-X-10, Automatic, Stainless Steel Strap & Diamonds with Box & Papers Collectors Watch from the designer of th...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Steel, Stainless Steel