Lot 227

Gerald Genta

Arena BiRetro Grade Sport

An extroverted, heavy wristwatch in practically new condition, with jumping hour display and retrograde date and minute displays

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This model is truly extroverted with its case made of 18 K pink gold in combination with tantalum, a rare graphite grey, shiny transition metal. Tantalum is mainly used for condensers; it is non-toxic and not susceptible to body fluids. The most distinguishing mark of this timepiece is the complexity of the two-colour dial featuring delicate white hands, retrograde minutes in the top half of the dial and retrograde date in the lower half. The jumping hours are displayed in a trapeze-shaped window at 12 o’clock. The watch comes with a brown alligator strap with 18 K pink gold deployant clasp.

Gérald Charles Genta, better known by his short name (Gérald Genta) (Geneva 1931 - Monaco 2011) was a luxury watch designer and artist. He is one of the few watch designers that we know by name as he created and designed some of the most iconic and precious mechanical timepieces of the contemporary history; currently highly demanded by watch enthusiasts and collectors. He is noted for his eponymous line of timepieces as well as his design work with other high-end watch Manufacturers. These including IWC, Universal Genève, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, among others. Christie's auction house of New York called Genta's work "the Fabergé of watches", while The Wall Street Journal has called them the "world's most complicated and pricey watches".