Gérald Charles Genta founds Gerald Charles, giving the Maison his first two names.

REINASSANCE is the first Gerald Charles collection, whose name perfectly describes Gérald Charles Genta’s artistic revival. A bolder expression of the soft line which he has always been so fond of.

In 2003, Gérald Charles Genta entrusts the Maison to the Ziviani family, because of his long-time friendship with Franco Ziviani, to focus entirely on his creative work and serve as Chief Designer until 2011, with Giampaolo Ziviani appointed as General Manager.

For his iconic Maestro case, Mr. Genta takes inspiration from the distinctive 17th-century Baroque architecture of Francesco Borromini. Two visionary figures, united by a cultural bridge between Switzerland and Italy: Genta, of Italian origin and deeply inspired by art; Borromini, born in a village in Italian-speaking Switzerland before bringing his genius to Italy.

From this architectural reference, Genta translates movement into geometry. The Maestro case, suspended between a square and an octagon, captures the elegance of Baroque architecture on the scale of watchmaking. Its signature “smile” at 6 o’clock is the clearest expression of this inspiration as the subtle concavity recalls Borromini’s curved façade.

During this period, the Maison produces bespoke timepieces for a niche of collectors. Some of Mr. Genta’s early creations have the designer’s signature engraved on the case back, as an artwork of an artist.

With Federico Ziviani appointed CEO, the Maison enters a new chapter. Born and raised in the watch industry, and driven by a passion for technology and innovation, Federico has guided Gerald Charles from a team of three and just few watches into a growing Maison of 40 employees, producing around 2,000 watches a year and represented by a curated network of leading retailers worldwide.

Gerald Charles faces a key challenge: how to relaunch a brand that has existed for 20 years, yet remains largely unknown to a wider audience. The answer comes through the Maestro Anniversary, a limited edition of 252 pieces created to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary, with each piece representing one month since the brand’s founding.

The Maestro 2.0 Ultra-Thin and the Maestro 3.0 Chronograph Premier 2021 are launched, expanding the collection with refined elegance and a sportier spirit while preserving Mr. Gérald Charles Genta’s original Maestro design.

From its first collection, Gerald Charles captivates collectors worldwide. By 2022, the brand earns the confidence of Europe’s finest retailers with particular resonance in Italy and establishes a presence across the Middle East. Distribution expands into Northern Europe and the United States in 2023, before entering into Japan the following year, together with Hong Kong and Singapore.

After a 38 years career at Audemars Piguet, Mr. Franco Ziviani joins Gerald Charles as Chairman to support the company’s growth. The Maison also launches new iconic watches, such as the Maestro GC Sport family and the Maestro 9.0 Tourbillon.

Gerald Charles inaugurates its Atelier, a new home and cultural hub in Geneva city centre. The same year marks the brand’s first participation in the Watches & Wonders fair and the birth of a new collection: the Masterlink.

The Maison celebrates 25 years of watchmaking excellence with the launch of the Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition, a remaster of the original GC39 Sliding Hours designed by Mr. Genta. The “meta guilloche” dial finishing was introduced as a further development of proprietary savoir-faire.

In 2026, Gerald Charles opens its first directly managed brand boutique in Japan at JR Nagoya Takashimaya Watch Maison. A curated selection of flagship locations will follow as part of the brand’s long-term expansion.

The first asymmetric perpetual calendar in Gerald Charles history and the brand’s most complex watch to date. A bold new chapter in grand complications, presented for the first time at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026.