Carrying on the spirit of the legendary eponymous designer, the Gérald Genta has just introduced yet another incredible watch to their repertoire! This time, they have taken on one of horology’s most beloved complications: The minute repeater.
The legacy of Gérald Genta can be felt throughout the modern watch landscape. Looking at his achievements, how could it not be? He invented and popularised the integrated bracelet sports watch through many of his remarkable designs. These include the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the Universal Genève Polerouter, the Credor Locomotive, and the IWC Ingenieur, among countless others. So it seems almost ironic that the industry once lobbied against him when he founded his own watch company. Though he passed away in 2011, the Gérald Genta brand – along with its later offshoot, Gérald Charles – continues to uphold the mythos surrounding one of watchmaking’s most important figures.
Though it had remained dormant since its acquisition by Bvlgari in 2000, the larger LVMH conglomerate had long planned to revive the Gérald Genta brand in honour of the legendary designer. This came to fruition in 2023, when the late Genta’s designs were placed under the stewardship of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. LFT-LV is renowned not only for developing movements for the likes of Jacob & Co., Speake-Marin, and Laurent Ferrier, but also for the expertise of its two master watchmakers, Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, who had worked closely on many of Genta’s projects first-hand. With their intimate understanding of his philosophy, and the resources of LFT-LV behind them, they unveiled Gérald Genta’s latest creation at Geneva Watch Days 2025: the Geneva Minute Repeater.
Measuring 40mm in diameter and just 9.6mm thick, the 18k yellow gold case is slim for a minute repeater, yet dense with gold and engineered for maximum resonance. Ultra-thin walls, as slender as 0.6mm in places, and a sapphire crystal reduced to 0.8mm create a resonant cavity, amplifying the acoustics of the complication while maintaining its refined profile. Single central lugs integrate the black leather strap seamlessly, while the slim repeater slider and gadroon bezel provide understated stylistic detail.
The Geneva Minute Repeater’s proportions strike a rare balance between wearability and technical ambition, making it comfortable on the wrist yet maintaining the presence expected of a grand complication. The aesthetics are equally refined, with a polished deep black onyx dial paying tribute to Genta’s fondness for stone dials. Applied yellow gold indices and hands complement the case, reinforcing both warmth and sophistication. The minute track adds a subtle geometric flourish: an inner circular segment for the indexes transitions to an outer track echoing the cushion-shaped case. Alternating polished and brushed surfaces enliven the case, while the crown is topped with a matching onyx cabochon.
Powering the watch is the manual wind Calibre GG-002, developed at the aforementioned LFT-LV. A direct evolution of the movement used in the Only Watch Mickey Mouse Minute Repeater, it beats at 3Hz (21,600VpH) and delivers a robust 80-hour power reserve. Unlike the Mickey Mouse edition, it does away with the jump-hour mechanism, focusing complexity solely on the minute repeater. Finishing is delicate yet architectural, combining Côtes de Genève, perlage, and hand-bevelled angles, while the octagonal inertia wheel pays tribute to Genta’s favourite geometric form.
If you’re unfamiliar with how a minute repeater works, here are the basics: the two black-polished gongs and hammers are individually tuned by hand, while a centrifugal governor ensures a consistent tempo, producing a clear, crystalline chime amplified by the case. When activated, the sequence unfolds in three parts: first, a series of tones marking the hours; second, a double chime signalling the quarters; and finally, a set of notes to indicate the exact minutes. It’s a difficult concept to convey in writing, but fortunately fellow writer Sam has an article dedicated to the subject.
My Thoughts
At first glance, the idea of a fashion company – or fashion conglomerate, take your pick – is enough to make the uninitiated watch snob clutch their pearls. I don’t blame them, though: At face value, it may seem like brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel and countless others have no business being in the watch game to the degree that they are. Yet, dig a little deeper into what they offer beyond bags and miscellaneous luxuries, and you’ll find they harbour a genuine respect for the horological arts, along with a heritage that may surprise you.
It’s the reason I wrote about how and why so-called ‘fashion’ watches matter. Far beyond the runway, they provide opportunities for brands like Gérald Genta to continue honouring the designs and ideals of this extraordinary individual. Without them, perhaps we would never have seen the Geneva Minute Repeater – or if we had, it might not have been as faithful to Genta’s original aesthetic and technical ethos. The watch demonstrates that Genta’s spirit is not merely preserved but actively reinterpreted, with every detail – from case geometry to dial materials and movement architecture – serving both form and function. Limited to just 10 pieces per year, the Geneva Minute Repeater balances rarity, technical mastery, and aesthetic elegance, offering collectors a modern window into the mind of one of horology’s most influential figures.
Reference: N/A (Gérald Genta Geneva Minute Repeater)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 40mm case diameter x 9.6mm thickness
- Case Material: 18k yellow gold with gadrooning
- Dial: Black onyx stone with yellow gold accents
- Movement: Manual wind Cal. GG-002 with minute repeater complication
- Power Reserve: 80h
- Beat Rate: 3Hz (21,600VpH)
- Water Resistance: TBC
- Strap: Black leather strap with 18k yellow gold buckle