Gerald charles gc3. 0 tn 01 172 edit 1 1

Gerald Charles turns to titanium for lightweight Maestro Chronograph

Maestro GC3.0-TN Chronograph weighs less than half its sister model in steel.

You may not be fully familiar with Gerald Charles, but I expect the company’s founder’s name will ring a bell because it was founded in 2000 by the late, great Gérald Genta, the 20th century’s most famous watch designer who conjured up the look of both the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

Most of Mr Genta’s most famous designs were done for major brands, but he also had his own intellectual property, which is owned and used for modern day timekeepers by Gerald Charles.

The Geneva-based company is kicking off this year with a fresh style for its Maestro Chronograph that combines a mirror-finished titanium case and a vivid blue sunray dial.

One of Mr Genta’s great gifts was the ability to sketch new watch designs that would be practical and commercial to make.

He departed somewhat from that tactic with the Maestro, which has an irregular-shaped case full of bends, kinks and curves that is tricky to make, particularly in titanium, which is light and hard but much more difficult to manipulate into complex forms than stainless steel.

It is worth the effort, because the Maestro GC3.0-TN Chronograph weighs less than half its sister model in steel.

It is powered by a GCA3022/12 automatic chronograph calibre developed in partnership between Gerald Charles and Swiss mechanical movement specialists Vaucher Fleurier Manufacture.

Its fine finishing is on display via a sapphire crystal case back.

The 39mm x 41.7mm watch is worn on a blue rubber strap and comes with a five year warranty.

It is on sale now for £20,900.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *