Gerald Charles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Industry | Luxury good |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Gérald Genta |
| Headquarters | Switzerland |
Key people |
|
| Products | Watches |
| Website | www |
Gerald Charles SA is an independent family-owned watch company based in Switzerland, founded by Swiss watchmaker and artist Gérald Charles Genta.[1][2][3][4]
Foundation
Gérald Charles Genta (1931–2011), a Swiss watchmaker and artist, founded his eponymous company in 1969, which was sold by Genta in 1996 to The Hour Glass. In 2000, Gérald Charles Genta founded a new watch brand, Gerald Charles SA. Gérald Charles Genta is best known for creating the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. He collaborated with watch manufacturers, such as Omega, IWC, and Cartier, contributing to models like Omega's Constellation and Cartier's Pasha de Cartier.[5][6][3][7]
Early years
In 2000 Mr Gérald Charles Genta founded Gerald Charles, a brand that bore both his first names, establishing a connection between himself and his creations.[1][8][9]
In 2003 the company started to be owned and controlled by the Ziviani family, who were already distributors of Genta's watches and had a collaborative history with him. Gérald Genta continued to serve as the Chief Designer until his passing in 2011, and Giampaolo Ziviani assumed the role of the company's CEO.[1][6]
Between 2011 and 2018 the company focused on creating bespoke timepieces for a selected group of collectors, using original designs originated by Genta.[6]
Recent history
In 2019 Federico Ziviani joined the brand as CEO and the company started to expand internationally.[1][2][6]
The brand chose to maintain the Maestro case, an octagonal design originated by Genta in 2005, while implementing some design modifications to make the watches available to a wider audience. The Maestro case variations were redesigned by the creative director Octavio Garcia and featured diverse dials, a skeletonized style, and rubber straps in colors like blue and green. Garcia, with a significant background in watch design, brought his expertise to Gerald Charles. Having spent 11 years at Audemars Piguet (AP), including five years as its Chief Artistic Officer, Garcia is widely regarded as a prominent figure in the industry, often seen as the successor to Gerald Genta's legacy in terms of design innovation.[2]
In 2020 Gerald Charles released the Maestro Anniversary, inspired by Gérald Genta's 2005 Maestro design. This limited edition saw a successful sell-out of its 252 stainless steel pieces.[6]
In 2021 the "Premier 2021" chronograph and three hands watches have been launched in a limited edition of 25 pieces each.[4]
In May 2021 Gerald Charles introduced the Maestro 2.0 Automatic in Stainless Steel.[2]
In 2022 Gerald Charles launched the new Maestro 8.0 Squelette watch, distinctively designed under Octavio Garcia, featuring an ultra-thin, iconic Maestro case with an open-worked movement and 100 meters water resistance.[2][10][11]
In 2023 Gerald Charles introduced the GC 9.0 Tourbillon Ref. GC9.0-A-01, a tribute to founder Gerald Charles Genta, featuring a 60-seconds Titanium flying tourbillon cage developed in collaboration with creative director Octavio Garcia.[12]
In April 2024 Gerald Charles took part for the first time at Watches and Wonders at the Palexpo in Geneva. The company was one of the 6 new entrants to the event and showcased its new Masterlink collection.[13][14]
In 2025, during its 25th anniversary year, Gerald Charles presented the Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition at Watches and Wonders Geneva.[15][16] As part of the Watches and Wonders "In the City" program, the company also opened the Gerald Charles archives to the public for the first time at its Geneva museum and atelier.[17]
Later in 2025, Gerald Charles participated in Dubai Watch Week 2025, where it presented a selection of archival material from its Geneva museum outside Switzerland.[18][19]
In 2026, Gerald Charles returned to Watches and Wonders with the Masterlink Perpetual Calendar, described by trade press as the brand's most complex watch since its modern relaunch.[20]
Market impact
In 2023, Gerald Charles expanded its presence to North Europe and the USA through the establishment of new retail locations.[21]
On January 30, 2024 Office Mugino and Gerald Charles announced a partnership at the Swiss Ambassador's residence in Japan and launched Gerald Charles' distribution in Japan.[22]
In February 2024 Gerald Charles opened its first boutique and showroom in Geneva on Rue du Mont-Blanc.[23]
In 2025, Gerald Charles expands to Hong Kong and Singapore with new retailer partnerships.[24]
In December 2025, the company opened its first directly managed boutique in Japan, at JR Nagoya Takashimaya Watch Maison in Nagoya.[25][26]