I was blown away seeing this surprising watch from Gerald Genta. Most of the brand's watch impress me, but I this one came out of no where, and likely cost them years of development. I assume once the Arena Metasonic watch is available, there will be very few of them to go around. The watch continues the brand's obsession of watches with a musical twist. Starting in the mid 1990s hey began to great ultra complex minute repeater and striking watches. These two complications either repeat the time to you on command (either exactly or to the nearest 5 minute or quarter hour), or automatically chime at various intervals (such as at "6:00" or when each hour passes). There are many iterations the sonnerie watch, and the most complex of which embody multiple of these musical complications.

This new Arena Metasonic starts with a 46mm wide case made of titanium and other special metal alloys designed to enhance the sound coming from within. One of the hardest parts of making watches such as this is designing the case to carry the sounds as well as possible. There is also the highly stylized construction and technical looking pushers and levers. The manually wound movement is ultra complex, being visible through the dial and caseback behind sapphire crystals. The front displays the off-centered time, tourbillon escapement, and in the lower left hand side you can see the hammers that beat playfully when the sonnerie is activated.

The rear of the watch has more of the fascinating movement and dual power reserves (for the watch and the minute repeater). I have a feeling that you'll need to be winding this watch often. The various sonnerie functions also include a silence mode (no striking unless you want to hear it), and a grande and petite sonnerie option. This chooses between louder or more soft strikes. More details will be released sooner to when the watch is made available. No word on pricing yet. UPDATE. Price has been announced to be about $900,000.

Gerald Genta has however discussed the wild box that will come with the watch. First, it is all automatic and electronic. Gaze inside as a light goes on and the watch comes out of the nether to greet you. To access the watch, you'll need to place your finger on the biometric reader on the box, as this watch is meant for your wrist only. Crazy stuff, crazy unnecessary, and crazy fun.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

The last few months have seen a series of bad-news stories regarding Bulgari and its attempts to survive and adapt to the change in economic times. When things were good, Bulgari started to snatch up other watch makers such as Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta. As I feel the need to be clear, the men themselves Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta are not in some state of bondage, but rather that Bulgari owns the rights to the brands (the trademarks). I've mentioned this before, but I still find it odd that the namesakes of these brands no longer have a place at the brands - and perhaps only a small stake in the success thereof. Nevertheless, if the brand releases a bad product, it will still effect the men negatively from a PR standpoint.

Well, the brands have fine products, but are about to lose 50 employees between them. Some one out there is bound to get pissed at Gerald and Daniel even though they have no part in this. We go back to Bulgari who is attempting to stay afloat by terminating the employment of 50 out of just 130 employees. Over 40 percent of the work force. There will likely be a consolidation of efforts and less redundancy of roles between Bulgari, Gerald Genta, and Daniel Roth. As the demand for luxury watches is currently low, this makes sense. Even though this is bad news for fans of the brands as well as the employees of the companies (especially those losing their jobs), Bulgari isn't in a significantly worse position than other luxury brands these days.

Via World Tempus (in French).

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Does this watch remind you of the snow capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa? Me neither, but that is its intended purpose. Forgive the lack of obvious association with its namesake and appreciate what is so nice about this Gerald Genta Gefica Kilimanjaro watch. The Gefica watch line has been around for a while and here is made in bronze - a metal that isn't often used for watches (case is 46.5mm wide at its largest point). There is also titanium in the construction (all the little beads are titanium). The bronze metal will slowly adopt a different color over time.

Complications include a retrograde minutes scale and date, with a jumping hour window and traditional seconds hand (in red). I love the art deco numbers all over the face that remind of me several conga line-esque dancing groups. The whole dial has a lively "movement" to it that is warm to look at. Gerald Genta is also a master of the bulbous hands that look like geometric circle stencils. Perhaps that was originally part of the influence behind their design. The Kilimanjaro edition Gefica watch will be part of a limited edition of just 100 and looks stunning in which - as part of the new white watch trend.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Mickey is 80 years old and Disney Tokyo (we say "Tokyo Disney") is 25 years old. As a kid I recall wanting to visit all the Disney Lands/Worlds around the globe. So far I have hit up two. Not very good follow-through. In celebration of the anniversary, Gerald Genta (who has partnered with Disney for a while to make Mickey Mouse watches) will release this limited edition Disney Tokyo Resort watch.

The timepiece features two classically styled Mickeys on the dial. The larger of the two on the top is reaching out and grabbing an actual diamond located at the "25" marker on the retrograde minute dial. You surely know what that 25 stands for. The hours are shown through a jumping hour widow located off center to the left of Mickey, while the seconds are displayed normally around the whole dial. The lower part of the dial is a retrograde date indicator with the hand being Mickey's arm. The case of the Gerald Genta watch is in titanium and inside is an automatic mechanical movement with a solid gold rotor. The strap is sporty and rubber. Certainly the cream of the crop for Disney watch collectors, and to a slightly lesser degree Gerald Genta watch collectors. Available in just 80 pieces.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

This watch from master watch designer (and maker) Gerald Genta looks like a really high class art deco gambling table right? This is the Octo (for the type of case) Sunray Tourbillon, and boy does it shine. The combination of industrial design with luxury appointments makes it the Gerald Genta flagship watch of 2009 (at least so far). While it seems larger, the 42.5mm wide yellow gold case holds the caliber GG9051 tourbillon movement (with a power reserve of 64) hours. This gold look is not the only version of the Sunray watch available. There is also a tri-composite, platinum, or gold with tantalum insert case available. The latter actually has a white gold and red laquer dial that should look great. The alligator strap is very wide between the lugs, and the entire look of this watch is quite 'regal' if I may use the term. Don't miss the fact that the dial has retrograde hours (that jumps over the tourbillon as to not hinder the view), with a standard minute hand. Price will certainly be at least around $80,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

In my opinion this watch represents a refined version of the typical Gerald Genta design. The watch maker is known for their common use of particular themes. These include use of retrograde time displays, three dimensional dial designs, use of "points" and "dots," and highly complex case designs. This watches takes each of those concepts and applies them is a beautifully cohesive manner. The new Arena Tourbillon Retrograde Hours watch is akin to a flagship model for Gerald Genta, featuring the best of what the watch maker has to offer, without going overboard.

The movement is the automatic Gerald Genta caliber GG9053 that was released a year ago, and known for its tourbillon balance wheel and retrograde hour display (the hour hand does not circle the full length of the dial and "jumps" to pass over the tourbillon area). The minute hand still revolves around the entire dial, while the seconds are displayed in the tourbillon carriage. The 45mm wide case is constructed in platinum, with rich use of brass on the dial. As you can notice, the dial features a layered look using multiple levels to add depth when viewing the face. The signature Gerald Genta bezel is wide and smooth adding a sense of robustness to the watch's character. Despite the luxury nature of the timepiece, it is still a capable sports watch with a 64 hour power reserve and 100 meters of water resistance. This is the Gerald Genta watch I'd like to be seen wearing.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

At 39mm wide in size the Octo Place de l'Etoile by Gerald Genta is a large watch for a woman. That's OK because this bold women's watch is about making a statement with its 18k red gold case, purple tone (mauve) enamel and strap, and diamond decoration. Gerald Genta's signature complication is a retrograde minute hand, usually with a jumping hour indicator aperture. While the dial is round, the minute hand only travels across the top half of the dial starting at "zero" and then moving to "sixty." Once the hand reaches "sixty,"it jumps back to "zero" instantly. The off-center hour window is well placed assisting with the "perspective" design of the watch. Powering these complications is an automatic mechanical movement.

Using their famous Octo case, Gerald Genta offers this watch as a tribute to the famous Place de l'Etoile in Paris (also know as the Place de Charles du Gaulle). If you aren't familiar with the name, this is the popular roundabout in Paris where twelve major streets converge including the west end of the Champs Elysees. In the center of the Place de'Etoile lays the Arc de Triumph. I see the design of the watch dial as being a snapshot of three roads converging into the Place de l'eEtoile if seen from a bird's eye view.

Gerald Genta places its knobbed crown with cabochon setting into the Octo case solidifying that this is undoubtedly a Gerald Genta watch despite the lack of branding on the dial. 199 diamonds decorate the dial and bezel making this a a true jewelry watch. In addition to the red gold case with purple Aqualino (variety of snake) leather strap, the watch is also available in 18k white gold, with black enamel and a black snake leather strap for those who prefer a more traditional look.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gerald Genta, part of the Bulgari Group, will be debuting this unique watch at the upcoming SIHH 2006 fair. The Octo Black Spirit Tourbillon has a platinum octagon-shaped case with double sapphire crystals. The case which measures 42.5mm has a tantalum bezel and the crown features a cabochon sapphire. The 18K white gold dial is embellished with a dramatic geometric configuration of 22 black sapphires and 14 rubies.The automatic movement is exclusive for Gerald Genta by Bulgari, caliber GG99051 with 54 jewels, a sapphire tourbillon bridge and a power reserve of 64 hours. The watch is also available in rose gold.

Time Zone features the Arena Sport Quattro Retro from the Bulgari Group company Gerald Genta. The watch has retrograde functions and a Dubuis-Depraz caliber 4900 movement with 45 jewels and Cotes de Geneva finish. The case is in titanium and measures 46mm. It has a rubber strap and sells for $25,000. Definitely another entry into the gorgeous yet inscrutable category. I love the speedometer styling but it looks like it would take a while to figure out what time it is every time you look at it.