Gerald Charles has unveiled the "Masterlink Gem-Set Stone Dial," a limited-edition model in the "Masterlink" collection that features natural stones on the dial. It will be available in three variations: green aventurine, blue spectrolite, and black iron eye, each with a gem setting that matches the color of the dial.
The "Masterlink" features a stone dial with a thickness of 0.55mm.
Gerald Charles has unveiled a new addition to its "Masterlink" collection: the "Masterlink Gem-Set Stone Dial." Available in three variations, each is a rare timepiece with only 10 pieces available worldwide.
Automatic movement (Cal. GCA1000). 29 jewels. Power reserve of approximately 50 hours. 18K white gold and stainless steel case (38mm x 38mm, 7.99mm thick). 10 ATM water resistance. Limited edition of 10 pieces worldwide. Estimated price: 2090 yen (including tax).
Automatic movement (Cal. GCA1000). 29 jewels. Power reserve of approximately 50 hours. 18K white gold and stainless steel case (38mm x 38mm, 7.99mm thick). 10 ATM water resistance. Limited edition of 10 pieces worldwide. Estimated price: 2090 yen (including tax).
Automatic movement (Cal. GCA1000). 29 jewels. Power reserve of approximately 50 hours. 18K white gold and stainless steel case (38mm x 38mm, 7.99mm thick). 10 ATM water resistance. Limited edition of 10 pieces worldwide. Estimated price: 2090 yen (including tax).
The Masterlink collection features an iconic asymmetrical case and a bracelet that seamlessly connects to it. This new collection continues Gerald Charles Genta's passion for experimental work, incorporating natural stones into the dial. Gerald Charles felt that natural stones, with their unpredictable nature—changing in color, shape, and pattern depending on the time and conditions of crystallization—reflected Genta's adventurous spirit.
Three natural stones, each with a different texture and origin, were prepared. One is "Green Aventurine" from Brazil, a rock rich in quartz that has been repeatedly compressed and heated deep within the Earth's crust over many years, resulting in the inclusion of countless and diverse types of microscopic minerals. Next is "Blue Spectrolite" from Finland, a type of labradorite that exhibits vivid colors due to an internal layer that refracts light, known as "labradorescence," formed in igneous rock as magma slowly cools and solidifies. Finally, there is "Black Iron Eye" from South Africa, a sedimentary layer rich in iron and silica that has been compressed and recrystallized over an unimaginable period of approximately 25 billion years, resulting in a layering of three minerals: hematite, jasper, and tiger's eye.
These stone dials are sliced into areas with suitable patterns, and then hand-polished to a thickness of 0.55 mm, thinner than a credit card. Due to their non-linear shapes, the risk of breakage at each stage is extremely high, with approximately one in ten being lost during the polishing stage alone. Furthermore, in the process of grinding them together with brass bases and other materials to create the final product, losses can reach up to 65%.
Considering this risk, the brand prepared 150 stones in advance for the production of 50 dials. Then, from the raw stone to the finished product, more than 24 hours of meticulous work were repeated for each piece.
The indices and the 18K white gold bezel are set with a total of 60 baguette-cut blue sapphires, red sapphires, and tsavorites, each chosen to match the color of the dial. In particular, the gem setting on the bezel follows the asymmetrical case shape, making the striking dial even more magnificent.
The case, measuring 38mm vertically and 38mm horizontally, boasts a slim package with a thickness of just 7.99mm. A major contributor to this thinness is the in-house Cal.GCA1000 movement. By incorporating an offset micro-rotor, the movement's thickness is reduced to a mere 2.67mm, while simultaneously providing a practical power reserve of approximately 50 hours.
