Gérald Genta Retro Solo Ref. RSO.M.10 - 'Jump Hour' W/ Box & Papers

The story of Gerald Genta begins not as a company or brand, but as the vision of its namesake and founder, Gérald Genta. Beginning in the 1950s with Universal Genève, Genta quickly cemented his name as a go-to designer for new and bold designs for some of the most prestigious manufactures in Switzerland, including but not limited to Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Omega. In the late 1960s, he sought a platform where his creativity would have no influence or restrictions from committee or convention and founded his own brand in 1969. He turned his attention to highly complicated, expressive, and often whimsical aesthetics, combines with traditional Swiss watchmaking.

The piece that we have here, a 'jump hour' from the 1990s, is an wonderfully-executed neo-vintage offering that is dripping with design characteristics closely associated with the brand. The high-polish 'tonneau' case, matching multi-link bracelet, the stylized crown, and the text on the dial are all textbook Gérald Genta brand.

Coming in at 32mm x 44mm, the case features a gentle curve on the caseback, with a domed bezel that seamlessly transitions into the sapphire crystal, 'concave' case profiles, and a bracelet that also seamlessly integrates into the case, though is removable and can be fitted to a leather strap, etc. The dial within features an attractive and flawless satin silver base, with printed stylized 'exploding' numerals, minute track, and a fine line frame around them. The 'jumping' hour aperture is framed at the 6 o'clock position and bears 'Swiss Made' text tucked away below. The aforementioned bracelet has a 5-link design with a signed 'butterfly' deployant clasp and feels amazing on the wrist.

Furthermore, whimsical piece with its incredibly charming 'jump hour' display is accompanied by its box and papers.

These pieces are surprisingly rare and do not often surface on the open market, and with the rise in popularity of artistic, design-forward watches such as this showing no signs of stopping (good, we're here for it), this is a great opportunity to scoop up a piece packed with design pedigree, impeccable build quality, and simply a piece of well-executed design.