A flamboyant opal timepiece from gérald genta
The latest and perhaps the most Gentissima piece, the Oursin Fire Opal radiates warmth and energy in every detail. This fourth piece in the Gentissima Oursin collection comes straight from the gérald genta lab, where design and creativity push the boundaries of horological traditions
The legacy of Mr. Genta strikes at first sight in terms of aesthetics and construction, with individually screwed fire opal gems surrounding the circumference of the yellow gold case of this limited-edition watch. The fire opal gems hail from the depths of volcanoes throughout Mexico, where water gets trapped in the lava, giving it a distinct yellow, orange, or red pigment.
This complex gem is made of a particular chemical composition that has perplexed geologists for centuries. The fascinating orange hue of this stone and its significance as a symbol of increased creativity and self-confidence inspired Matthieu Hegi, Artistic Director of gérald genta.
The Oursin story begins in Corsica in 1994, where the Genta family was on vacation. Oursin means “sea urchin” in French, and one captivated Gérald, who immediately began sketching his first design instinctively, as he always did. The spiny, globular exteriors found horological form in a round case adorned with beads that gave the watch its particular aesthetic in all its variations. Thirty years later, Oursin opens a profoundly intimate new chapter for the Maison gérald genta. The fourth piece in the collection further explores Mr. Genta’s unique sense of beauty and attraction to meaningful and powerful stones.
The most flamboyant piece of the collection yet, with the orange cornelian dial echoing the warm hue of the fire opal gems, every curve of the Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal speaks of confidence, elegance, and powerful inner force. The design of this watch allows the legacy of Gérald to live on through its vivid design, which catches any wandering attention and radiates playfulness, igniting a spark of fire at first glance.
Channelling the instinctive creative approach of its original designer, the new Oursin Fire Opal has been designed instinctively and will speak to those who appreciate the complexity of combining extraordinary design with timeless elegance and refinement. Mr. Genta’s classic design principles can be found throughout, with a modern twist.
The dial is crafted from orange cornelian, with the faceted crystal, Mr. Genta’s signature shape, which can also be found in the slightly octagonal innermost edge of the case. With a diameter of about 36mm, the case in yellow-gold 3N features a glass-blasted finish, contrasting with the brilliance of the 137 fire opals individually screwed into the case one by one with a yellow gold 3N pin. To complement the design, the maison has designed the Caliber GG-005 – Zenith Elite with redesigned oscillating mass in 18 karat yellow gold – which boasts a power reserve of ~50 hours.
