The year 2025 marks the brand's 25th anniversary, and the brand kicks off with a modern reissue of the Maestro GC39, a watch that embodies the vision of founder Gérald Charles Genta. The latest additions include the tennis-related Sport model and a Chronograph with a Clou de Paris patterned dial. Each is a masterpiece that showcases Genta's ingenuity.
Photographs by Eiichi Okuyama
Text by Shigeru Sugawara
Text by Shigeru Sugawara
Edited by Yuzo Takeishi
Edited by Yuzo Takeishi
[Article published in the July 2025 issue of Kronos Japan]
Gerald Charles' masterpiece reborn as a 25th anniversary model
The brand's 25th anniversary model recreates the 2005 masterpiece "Maestro GC39," a timepiece whose design and mechanism are imbued with Genta's signature creativity and aesthetic sense, while incorporating contemporary touches throughout. In addition to a jumping hour display with three hour numerals, the watch features a blue skeletonized minute hand. The dial, too, incorporates a new design based on the original's distinctive coloring. The blue central element is lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone that Genta loved and used frequently in his designs, as can be seen in his original sketches from 2005. The most striking feature is the "meta-guilloché" pattern, in which light appears to radiate from the lapis lazuli across the entire dial. This innovative decorative pattern is the result of a new precision micro-chemical engraving technique developed exclusively by Gérard Charles. Automatic movement (Cal. GC4.0). 38 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 50 hours. Ti case (42mm x 42mm, 11mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 100 pieces worldwide. Price: 7,757,750 yen (tax included).
To commemorate the brand's quarter-century anniversary, the brand has revived the Maestro GC39, a watch that fully demonstrates Gérald Charles Genta's exceptional creativity. This masterpiece, for which Genta himself drew the design and the original model still exist, was born exactly 20 years ago in 2005. The brand's 25th anniversary model faithfully preserves the unique styling and rare mechanism, but is not simply a reproduction; it fully utilizes modern technology to brilliantly update the master's unparalleled masterpiece.
The Jumping Hour movement, a complication in which the hour numerals advance every hour using a rotating disc, is a favorite of Genta himself and is famous as his signature movement. For this 25th anniversary model, Genta developed the Caliber 4.0 Jumping Hour. It is worth noting that the majority of the movement components are manufactured in-house, marking an important step in the brand's vertical integration.
The new dial design is also noteworthy. The blue in the center, featuring the 25th anniversary logo, is lapis lazuli, a favorite of Genta, which he used on many of his models. What sets it apart from the original Maestro GC39 is the unique decoration, created using a proprietary micro-chemical engraving technique called "meta-guilloche." The dynamic radiating pattern gives the dial a gorgeous sparkle, creating a striking impression throughout the entire watch.
No other watch is as unique in every respect as this one, and it has a special charm that draws even the most discerning watch enthusiast into the world of Genta at a glance.
A new masterpiece marks the 25th anniversary of the iconic Maestro, a modernized design
This latest model is reminiscent of a tennis ball. The hand-grained, textured dial with a vibrant optic yellow coating creates a striking aura, and the dark-blasted grade 5 titanium case makes it stand out. Automatic movement (Cal. GCA 3002). 28 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 50 hours. Ti case (41.7mm x 39mm, 8.7mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 200 pieces worldwide. Price: 3,792,250 yen (tax included).
This year's highlights go beyond the Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary model. The latest addition to the "Maestro GC Sport" collection, which was developed in collaboration with tennis players and has attracted attention for being worn by them during matches, adds "tennis" to the name. This model features a dark-blasted grade 5 titanium case and a vibrant yellow dial, literally resembling a tennis ball. The matte texture and gradient color create a visual effect that makes it appear as if the ball is embedded in the case, creating an exquisite effect. Genta himself once designed playful dials featuring golf and tennis balls, reminiscent of his stylish sense.
Designed as a sports watch suitable for tennis, this model features a lightweight titanium case, a left-handed crown, and a gradient dial with Arabic numerals. It was first added to the collection in 2022 and has now become one of the brand's flagship models. Automatic movement (Cal. GCA3002). 28 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 50 hours. Ti case (41.7mm x 39mm, 8.7mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Priced at 3,197,700 yen (tax included).
Since its founding, Gerard Charles has used a Clous de Paris pattern on the Maestro's vulcanized rubber bracelet, and for the latest Maestro 3.0 Chronograph, he has expanded this pattern to the dial. The dial, with its fine pyramidal pattern, is also reminiscent of the GC33 Chronograph designed by Genta in 2006. The new dial comes in two colors: a refreshing ice blue and a chic gray. The gray model, like the Maestro GC Sport Tennis, features a dark-blasted grade 5 titanium case and a white rubber bracelet, creating a new color combination.
These represent the Maison's ongoing pursuit of new originality and progress, 25 years after its founding.
A new design has been introduced to this chronograph, inspired by Genta's own original (GC33/design drawing on the right). The striking gray and ice blue dial features a delicate Clous de Paris motif, creating depth and a sense of three-dimensionality, and also emphasizes the unity with the strap. Automatic winding (Cal. GCA 3022/12). 46 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel or titanium case (41.7mm x 39mm, 11.7mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. (Right) 4,966,500 yen, (Left) 5,197,500 yen (both prices include tax).
8 Sparkling Rare Pieces from "Maestro"
Automatic winding (Cal. GCA 3002). 28 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (41.7mm x 39mm, 9mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 4,004,000 yen (tax included).
Automatic movement (Cal. GCA 3024/12). 33 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (41.7mm x 39mm, 9.3mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 50 pieces worldwide. Price: 21,213,500 yen (tax included).
Automatic movement (Cal. GCA 3024/12). 33 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (41.7mm x 39mm, 3.9mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 50 pieces worldwide. Price: 21,213,500 yen (tax included).
The bezel is set with tsavorite. Automatic movement (Cal. GCA 3002). 28 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (41.7mm x 39mm, 8.7mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 5,139,750 yen (tax included).
The bezel is set with an orange sapphire. Automatic movement (Cal. GCA 5482). 29 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (41.7mm x 39mm, 8.35mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 10 pieces worldwide. Price: 21,848,750 yen (tax included).
The bezel is set with diamonds. Automatic movement (Cal. GCA 3002). 28 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (41.7mm x 39mm, 8.7mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 5,139,750 yen (tax included).
The bezel is set with a blue sapphire. Automatic movement (Cal. GCA 3002). 28 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Ti case (41.7mm x 39mm, 8.7mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 539 million yen (tax included).
The bezel is set with a violet sapphire. Automatic movement (Cal. GCA 5482). 29 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (41.7mm x 39mm, 8.35mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 10 pieces worldwide. Price: 21,848,750 yen (tax included).
