GERALD GENTA HAS DIED AT AGE 80

Gérald Genta, designer of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus, IWC Ingenieur, Omega Constellation, Cartier Pasha, Bulgari Bulgari, and other icons of the modern era has passed away on 17th August, 2011. He was 80 years old.

Born in Geneva in May 1931 of humble origins, Genta was imbued not only with an Italian flair for design, but also with a meticulous, rigorous and disciplined technical approach – qualities inherent to the Swiss watchmaking tradition.

He established himself in 1961 as the world’s first ‘watch designer’. By 1969 he formed Gerald Genta, his own highly successful watch manufacture. In addition to his own line of timepieces, Genta also contributed significantly to the designs of Swiss luxury watch brands including IWC, Universal Geneve, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, among several others. His influence on contemporary watchmaking will remain for decades to come.