Prepare to immerse yourself in the world of horology at WatchTime New York 2023. Hosted at Manhattan’s iconic Gotham Hall from October 20th to 22nd, this exceptional event promises watch enthusiasts a captivating experience— featuring brand presentations, insightful industry panel discussions, and hands-on exploration opportunities with many of the world’s most impressive watchmakers. This year WatchTime welcomes Swiss independent Gerald Charles to the show, who will be showcasing each of their latest novelties for 2023, among them the new Maestro 8.0 Squelette.
Gerald Charles was founded in 2000 by Gérald Genta, one the 20th century’s most important watch designers, who opted to use his middle name, Charles, as part of the brand’s title. After selling the company in 2003, Genta continued as its designer-in-chief until his death in 2011, thereafter leaving a treasure trove of watch designs in the company’s care. Today, each watch created by Gerald Charles is based on one of his original designs, working to carry on the horological legend’s design creativity and mechanical ability through its timepieces.
The Gerald Charles Maestro 8.0 Squelette, Ref. GC8.0-SQ-A-00, is a mesmerizing fusion of the familiar Maestro case shape and an exceptional open-worked movement, being designed by renowned watch designer Octavio Garcia, a previous collaborator of Genta’s. The steel case features a 39mm diameter with a 8.35mm thickness, making use of an asymmetric polygon silhouette inspired by an original design conceived by Genta. The case itself is constructed of 18 separate components, including among them a screw-down crown that assists in the watch attaining an impressive 100m water resistance. The watch is secured to the wrist via a clous de Paris patterned rubber strap, which was first seen on the Maestro Anniversary watch in 2019.
The dial of the Maestro 8.0 Squelette showcases a celestial sky chart theme, a testament to Garcia’s creative vision. Skeletonized bridges are satin-finished and adorned with rhodium plating or deep anthracite NAC treatment. Every angle, bevel, and aperture is hand-polished, and all wheels feature circular graining on each surface. The rehaut— the inner ring between the dial and crystal– held by a series of nine star-shaped screws, and was specially designed for Gerald Charles.
At the heart of the novelty lies the automatic GCA 5482 calibre, exclusively developed for Gerald Charles by Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. Comprising 160 components, this ultra-thin movement measures just 2.6mm in height and includes a star-shaped gold micro rotor running on ceramic bearings, and despite its slimness boasts a solid 50-hour power reserve. The movement’s intricate finishes, including brushing, rhodium-plating, and anthracite NAC-treatment, are each visible through the sapphire crystal case back.
The Gerald Charles Maestro 8.0 Squelette Ref. GC8.0-SQ-A-00 is available for pre-order now with a deposit of $6,380. The final pricing is marked at $63,800 with delivery to begin in November 2023. Production will be limited to 100 pieces per year. The horological gem will also available for a hands-on opportunity at this year’s WatchTime New York event, it alongside hundreds of other watches from over thirty distinct watchmaking houses.
To learn more, visit Gerald Charles, here.
And to purchase tickets for WatchTime New York 2023, click here.