Gérald Genta Heritage Association. February marked the formal establishment of the Gérald Genta Heritage Association, which aims to pay tribute to one of the greatest watch designers in history and to encourage and reward young talents.
Last February marked the formal establishment of the Gérald Genta Heritage Association, which aims to pay tribute to one of the greatest watch designers in history and to encourage and reward young talents.
Chaired by Evelyne Genta, who worked alongside her late husband for almost 20 years as Commercial Managing Director of their joint business, the advisory committee of the Association includes international leaders and experts in the luxury watchmaking sector.
The activities of the Association will include events, exhibitions, conferences, contributions, publications, digital communications and press relations. geraldgenta-heritage.com
Gérald Genta short biography
Charles Gérald Genta was born in Geneva on May 1st 1931; to a Swiss mother and an Italian father. After his studies as a goldsmith and jeweller, he was recruited by Universal Geneva, one of the most renowned watchmaking manufacturers. In 1954, at just 23, he designed the SAS Polerouter, a watch which commemorated the polar flights of the SAS airline (Copenhagen-Los Angeles via the North Pole). Polerouter became one of the brand’s greatest successes.
Following this collaboration which lasted into the mid-sixties, many Swiss watchmaking firms called upon the young designer. For Omega he renewed their Constellation collection. In 1970, Audemars Piguet approached him to design the Royal Oak, which later became their most iconic model. A few years later, Gérald Genta created the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the IWC Ingenieur. He collaborated also with Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet, Hamilton, Bulgari, Seiko, Timex, and many other brands.
Genta created his own company in 1969, developing his eponymous brand and producing exceptional pieces for exclusive clients, including the King of Morocco, the Sultans of Oman and of Brunei, the King of Spain, the King of Saudi Arabia, the Queen Mother of England, statesmen, leading businessmen, sportsmen, artists, singers, and actors. After the divestiture of this company, he launched the “Gérald Charles” brand in 2001.
He passed away in August 2011 at the age of 80. In the course of his life he designed more than 100,000 watches for the most prestigious watchmaking companies and his eponymous brands. He is often remembered as the “Picasso of watchmaking”.
Chaired by Evelyne Genta, who worked alongside her late husband for almost 20 years as Commercial Managing Director of their joint business, the advisory committee of the Association includes international leaders and experts in the luxury watchmaking sector.
The activities of the Association will include events, exhibitions, conferences, contributions, publications, digital communications and press relations. geraldgenta-heritage.com
Gérald Genta short biography
Charles Gérald Genta was born in Geneva on May 1st 1931; to a Swiss mother and an Italian father. After his studies as a goldsmith and jeweller, he was recruited by Universal Geneva, one of the most renowned watchmaking manufacturers. In 1954, at just 23, he designed the SAS Polerouter, a watch which commemorated the polar flights of the SAS airline (Copenhagen-Los Angeles via the North Pole). Polerouter became one of the brand’s greatest successes.
Following this collaboration which lasted into the mid-sixties, many Swiss watchmaking firms called upon the young designer. For Omega he renewed their Constellation collection. In 1970, Audemars Piguet approached him to design the Royal Oak, which later became their most iconic model. A few years later, Gérald Genta created the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the IWC Ingenieur. He collaborated also with Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet, Hamilton, Bulgari, Seiko, Timex, and many other brands.
Genta created his own company in 1969, developing his eponymous brand and producing exceptional pieces for exclusive clients, including the King of Morocco, the Sultans of Oman and of Brunei, the King of Spain, the King of Saudi Arabia, the Queen Mother of England, statesmen, leading businessmen, sportsmen, artists, singers, and actors. After the divestiture of this company, he launched the “Gérald Charles” brand in 2001.
He passed away in August 2011 at the age of 80. In the course of his life he designed more than 100,000 watches for the most prestigious watchmaking companies and his eponymous brands. He is often remembered as the “Picasso of watchmaking”.
COMMENTS