Gérald Genta has unveiled its latest offering, a pair of time-only watches inspired by the charm of Geneva, marking a notable addition to their collection just in time for LVMH Watch Week 2026. These new models, which follow the previous year's exquisite Minute Repeater, are available in two elegant shades of gold—rose and white—both featuring beautifully textured dials that enhance their visual appeal.
But here's where it gets intriguing: these designs are not drawn from Genta’s famous archives but are the work of Matthieu Hegi, the Artistic Director at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. This fresh creation captures the essence of Genta’s iconic style, showcasing a rounded square shape that feels completely at ease alongside his legacy. The thoughtful details inherent in this design remind us of the masterful touch Genta was known for, prompting us to appreciate how this new piece fits into his broader portfolio.
At first glance, you might think this watch is reminiscent of the previous model launched last September—it indeed shares a familial resemblance with the brand's Minute Repeater. However, there have been subtle adjustments to its dimensions, shrinking from an original size of 40mm in diameter and 9.6mm in thickness to a sleeker 38mm wide and 8.15mm thick. Remarkably, the design has been carefully crafted to retain its character, featuring a singular central lug—a design choice often seen in ladies’ dress watches—ensuring that elegance remains at the forefront.
The stepped, rounded bezel adds an extra dimension of shine, reflecting light beautifully and complementing the rounded baton markers and hands. This clever design trick not only enhances the watch’s aesthetic but also creates the illusion of a more compact size, drawing the eye towards the dial.
Both gold variations offer unique dials tailored to harmonize with the respective metal color. The rose gold version features a gradient that transitions from a deep brown at the edges to a lighter sandy hue at the center, while the white gold option showcases a gradient that shifts from black to silvery gray. Each dial boasts a finely grained texture, which not only enriches the visual experience but also plays beautifully with light, accentuating the gradients as they shift in the light.
The dial itself maintains a minimalist approach, showcasing only the brand's name and slender baton markers to minimize distraction. Surrounding these hour markers is a meticulously designed minute track that mirrors the movement of the hands, creating a seamless integration with the watch's 'squircular' case design.
Flipping the watch over reveals a Zenith Elite movement, an automatic caliber that traces its roots back to 1994 and has undergone significant improvements over the decades. Originally developed by Zenith—now part of the LVMH family—this movement was engineered to deliver a reliable automatic performance that meets high standards. The current iteration provides a power reserve of 50 hours while operating at a frequency of 4Hz, which, while standard for its market segment, serves the purpose of complementing the watch's impressive design more than its technical specifications.
If you're intrigued by this new Gérald Genta Geneva collection, it's available now at a price point of CHF 25,000, a reflection of both the craftsmanship and the brand’s legacy.
Specifications:
- Brand: Gérald Genta
- Model: Geneva
- Case Dimensions: 38mm (Diameter) x 8.15mm (Thickness)
- Case Material: Rose or White Gold
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Dial: Textured brass in beige (rose gold) or grey (white gold)
- Strap: Calfskin leather matching the case color
- Movement: Zenith Elite, automatic
- Power Reserve: 50 hours
- Functions: Hours and minutes
- Availability: Now
- Price: CHF 25,000
What do you think about this modern take on Gérald Genta’s legacy? Does this new design do justice to the visionary designer’s reputation, or do you feel it veers too far from his original spirit? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
