Autumn 2023: Gerald Charles Two "Chocolate Brown" New Timepieces
Maison Gerald Charles has launched two new watches: the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin, Ref. GC2.0-RG-05, and the Maestro 3.0 Chronograph, Ref. GC3.0-RG-05, both in 18K Rose Gold 4N with a Chocolate Brown vulcanised rubber strap.
As autumn comes, colours warm up
While the classic colours of watchmaking are most often found in shades of black, white, grey, beige and blue, Gerald Charles introduces chocolate brown into the Core Collection, the colour of tradition, serenity, stability and timeless classic elegance.
As autumn comes, the Maison introduces a new colour for the already existing Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin and Maestro 3.0 Chronograph. Carrying the elegance and sophistication of the earlier editions Gerald Charles timepieces in Rose Gold and Royal Blue, these new additions feature a unique shade of dark brown, which perfectly suits the seasonal change.
The Chocolate Brown sunburst dial and vulcanised rubber strap, featuring the Clous de Paris motif on the top side and GC’s logo tapisserie on the other, match perfectly the 18K Rose Gold 4N of the Maestro case and the polished pin buckle with brushed applied plate and GC logo engraved.
Thanks to the sunburst finish, a play of lights is created: different layers of colour emerge, sometimes warmer, sometimes cooler, depending on the light it reflects.
The iconic Maestro case: CNC crafted and assembled by hand
It takes time to look at all the details that make the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin and the Maestro 3.0 Chronograph unique and to understand the perfectionism behind these creations.
The tiniest elements, including those that cannot be seen, have been technically perfected and hand-decorated to the highest standards. The Gerald Charles signature is evident not only in its singular shape but also in its attention to detail and finish.
The distinctively shaped 40mm Maestro case is based on Mr. Gérald Charles Genta’s original drawing, inspired by Francesco Borromini’s Roman Baroque architecture from the 17th century.
The Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin and the Maestro 3.0 Chronograph cases feature 35 and 39 components respectively, CNC numeric machine crafted, all made one by one and then assembled into a case. The result is a brighter timepiece, due to the corners of each component which reflect the light, and a case which seems to be crafted in just one piece, thanks to the extremely accurate engineering studies.
Furthermore, the special case construction, which involves the screw-down crown and the bespoke gasket, enables the timepieces to be water-resistant to 10 ATM. The case is enclosed between a flat sapphire crystal on the top, with multi-layer, internal and external anti-reflection treatment, and another one on the bottom, which allows appreciate of the architecture and finishing of the mechanical movement. However, the thinness has been maintained: the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin is just 8.7mm while the Maestro 3.0 Chronograph is 11.5mm.
Extremely thin and highly technical timepieces
The two new references feature mechanical calibers developed by our longtime Swiss partner Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier and customised for Gerald Charles. The Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin is powered by the caliber Ref. GCA 3002 Manufacture, a 3.7 mm thick automatic movement that delivers time and date functions, with Fleurier quality standard of hand finishing and precision measured in five positions. While the Maestro 3.0 Chronograph houses the caliber Ref. GCA 3022/12, an automatic chronograph based on the GCA 3002, with just 6.07 mm of thickness.
Both have a high-grade oscillating weight set on a low-friction ceramic ball bearings system, a twin-barrelled 50-hour power reserve, elevated levels of accuracy and vibration and 5G shock resistance.
It is all a matter of finishings and details
Attention to details and finishings is crucial for the Maison. The central oscillating weight features the Gerald Charles "honeycomb" motif, colimaçon and soleil finishings, while the movement bridges are finely decorated with colimaçon, côtes de Genève and perlage finishes, with the special addition of yellow gold colour engravings.
Mr. Gérald Charles Genta used to be inspired by art and architecture. This involves not only the asymmetric Maestro case, but the oscillating weight too that displays the hexagonal “honeycomb” motif, inspired by the baroque architecture and introduced by Octavio Garcia, Creative Director.
Gerald Charles’ journey through history and heritage
Since the Maison’s aesthetics is firmly rooted in its history and heritage, both models show features directly coming from Mr. Gérald Charles Genta’s original drawings: the iconic indexes, the peculiar hands shape and the Clous de Paris, an unmistakable signature feature now.
The Maestro 3.0 Chronograph is a one-to-one representation of the Gérald Charles Genta’s original design, with the exception of the originally round pushers, that takes the typical and asymmetric Maestro case shape. The hours, minutes and seconds gold colour counters perfectly fit in the Maestro case due to its “smile” at 6 o’clock. Furthermore, each counter features a polished applique to reflect the light and catch the eye.
Also in the Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin the case is in constant evolution since the launch of the Maestro Premier 2021. This clearly shows Gerald Charles’ uncompromising commitment to exploring new options and pursuing a higher standard, while carrying the legacy of “Artistic Creativity and Technical Mastery” forward into the future.
For the Maison Gerald Charles, precision, accuracy, as well as ergonomics and wearability are key features to develop a timepiece. Furthermore, as the case-back, the lugs and the strap are on the same straight line, the timepiece sits flat on the wrist and it’s perfect to be worn on any occasion.
