Description:
Gérald Genta is universally regarded as one of the most influential and visionary watch designers of the 20th century. His unmistakable aesthetic language gave life to some of the most iconic timepieces ever created, including the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus and Golden Ellipse, Omega Constellation, IWC Ingenieur and Cartier Pasha.
In 1969, Genta founded his own eponymous manufacture, allowing him full creative freedom to explore complex horology combined with bold yet harmonious design. In addition to delivering exceptional masterpieces in the realm of Haute Horlogerie (such as the Grande and Petite Sonnerie, minute-repeaters, cathedral gongs, perpetual calendars, split-seconds chronographs, etc.), the Genevan manufacture also produced quartz watches, both with and without horological complications.
The present example belongs to this production of quartz watches with complications. It features a perpetual calendar with moonphase and is distinguished by a full titanium case paired with an integrated titanium bracelet. The grey carbon dial is further enriched by mother of pearl and lapis lazuli subdials.
This timepiece is part of a special series commissioned by the royal court of Brunei from the Geneva-based house of Gérald Genta, as indicated by the floral emblem positioned at 4 o clock.
These watches feature the emblems of Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei since 1967, as well as those of members of his family. Among them is his brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah —represented in the present example by a stylised floral motif, believed by some to incorporate the initials “JB” — or his nephew, Prince Abdul Hakeem, whose initials ‘AH’ are presented in a stylised form on other examples.
These so-called ‘presentation’ watches are often given by a leader (Emperor, King, President, Prime minister, business magnate, etc.) or in their name, as a gesture of recognition or gratitude towards a third party.