Jamie Weiss
Legendary Late Watch designer Gerald Genta is best known for his iconic and architectural clock designs, but he was also known as a particular lover of stone dials. Many of Genta’s most famous works included the Stone Dial variants, including the Rolex Cellini King Midas, Universal Genève Golden Shadow, and numerous models produced under his eponymous brand. However, there was one stone he was said to like the most: Lapis Lazuli. So Gerald Charles’ latest Maestro 2.0, the last watch brand to be named by a noble designer, is a proper compliment and reinforces the current trend of stone dials.
case
The case of Gerald Charles Maestro is one of the few asymmetrical designs that Genta has written over his long career, and the lower half of the incident was designed by the eccentric 17th century Roman Rome, San Carlo Alec Inspired by the concave façade of Trofontein. Architect Francesco Boromini. Like many of the later designs of Genta, it is clearly neoclassical. It contrasts with the more industrial patterns that defined his early career.
Made from reinforced stainless steel, the bezel of the Maestro 2.0 Lapis Lazuli Ultra-Thin features a blue Colormix coating. Combining the physical and chemical surface treatments described by GeraldCharles, it provides a very navy bluefinite and improves scratch resistance. Certainly, the bezel looks almost glassy at several angles, frames the Lapis dial neatly.
As the obvious name of this watch suggests, it is only 9mm thick in that case. While he won’t challenge Constantine Chaikin or Bvlgari with any title, his slinky bezel slides beautifully under the cuff. It is slightly longer in width, measured at 39mm x 41mm, and the lug is hardly added to the overall length.
Dial
The Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Lapis Lazuli Ultratin dial is the main event here and is worth tuning. This represents the first hardstone dial from Gerald Charles, and they haven’t half done it. “When each dial is cut and polished from the initial 5mm thick disc to a final thickness of just 0.55mm, the majority are discarded as previously invisible defects are revealed. 50 dials will be necessary to make at least 150 discs,” explains the brand.
They detail that it takes an average of 24 hours for individual dials to complete. They explain that shaping lapis lazuli into the distinctive silhouette of a maestro is the most difficult part. In my opinion, it’s worth it. Due to the nature of the stone, each dial is unique, making it difficult to compare the Lapis dials on their own. However, the example we had for reviews did not disappoint with the fascinating pyrite and calcite spots.
This semi-priority stone dial is found on a fine track of white printed chemicals with indexes filled with inconspicuous but functional Super Luminova – you can’t complain there – found at 6 o’clock There is a date window, with a lowercase maestro “smile”. The model also debuted Gerald Charles’ fine-tuning logo, slightly prominently including the inclusion of “Genève” under the lettering and logotype.
strap
Complementing the Maestro 2.0 Lapis Lazuli Ultra-Thin’s Blue Dial and Bezel are robust royal blue vulcanized rubber straps with a Clous de Paris-esque textured upper and stainless steel pin buckles. It’s a sporty choice for an otherwise somewhat dressy watch, but it suits the hybrid vibe of a Maestro well.
Movement
Under the hood, the GC2.0-A movement is an automatic caliber developed in collaboration with the Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier SA (based on the VMF 3002) and customized for Gerald Charles. It is an aesthetically laid out movement, and the combination of sculptures in Cote de Geneve, Parage, Coli Massonage and yellow gold gave it a decent standard. It bears at 4 Hz, has a 50-hour power reserve and is topped with a special gold-activated rotor with a hexagonal design to commemorate the brand’s 25th anniversary. Vaucher is widely regarded as one of Biz’s finest athletic suppliers, representing a significant upgrade to Soprodo Source’s movements utilizing the previous Gerald Charles model.
verdict
Stone Dial is experiencing an unprecedented revival that has been popular so far, so this Gerald Charles Maestro arrives at perfect timing. It’s a clear standout among the current Maestro 2.0 range. This means it’s quiet yet visually exciting, and leaning towards a dressy atmosphere while still remaining particularly sporty for the stone dial watch. This is the Gerald Charles model I get.
Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Lapis Lazuli Ultra Sin Pricing and Availability
Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Lapis Lazuli Ultra Tin is currently part of the brand’s main collection and can be pre-ordered from Gerald Charles’ online boutique. Deliveries are scheduled for two months after pre-order. Price: $36,600, US$21,900, CHF 18,600, 18,600 Euro, £16,700
Brand Gerald Charles Model Maestro 2.0 Lapis Lazuli Ultra Sin Reference Number Crystal Sapphire Front and Back Dial Lapis Lazuli Lug Width 22mm Strap Royal Blue Liquid Rubber Strap, Steel Pin Buckle Movement GGC2.0-A, Vaucher VMF 3002 Base, Automatic Power Reserve 50 Hours Function Current availability dates at feature reservation price A $36,600
21,900 US$
CHF 18,600
€18,600
£16,700
