Since brand Gérald
Genta was revived in 2023 with the support of la Fabrique du Temps – Louis Vuitton, under the supervision of master watchmakers Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, both of whom worked with Genta, it is the Gentissima Oursin collection that has been at the forefront of this resuscitation. Oursin, meaning ‘sea urchin’ in French’, was conceptualised in 1994, when the Genta family was on vacation in Corsica, Greece. Inspired by the sea urchin’s spiny exterior, Genta crafted a round case adorned with beads, a design that is today its signature. For LVMH Watch Week 2025, the brand has unveiled a fourth addition to this line, the Oursin Fire Opal.
Matthieu Hegi, Artistic Director, Gérald Genta
Fire Opal is a gem that is found in Mexico, specifically deep in volcanoes there. Its distinct yellow, orange, or red hue is thanks to water that gets trapped in lava. A symbol of creativity, self-confidence, joie de vivre, and well-being, it also reflects Genta’s love for meaningful and powerful stones. “The Oursin was among Gérald’s few creations that he was proudest of; he actually almost didn’t want to sell them and produced only very few for very close friends and clients," says, Evelyn Genta, Gérald Genta's wife. "Seeing the new Oursin Fire Opal reminds me so much of Gérald, how much he loved adorning stones on his watches and looking at them through various light sources. The multiple ways a stone catches light was for him an endless source of fascination and its own definition of beauty."
137 individual pieces of Fire Opal adorn the yellow gold case case of the watchThis striking Fire Opal adorns the entire circumference of this new limited edition watch, where 137 individual pieces have been screwed on the 3N yellow gold case with the help of 3N yellow gold pins. The dial is crafted from orange cornelian, with 3N yellow gold hands and dots for the 5-minute markers. The case is about 36mm, features a glass-blasted finish, and is topped with a faceted sapphire crystal.
Caliber GG-005 with a redesigned oscillating mass featuring a bead motifPowering the watch is the Caliber GG-005, a Zenith Elite movement with a redesigned oscillating mass in 18K yellow gold. The movement has a power reserve of 50hrs, and a 4Hz frequency.
Images: Courtesy brand