Baselworld 2010 Sneak Peak - Bvlgari for Gerald Genta

The wait is finally over, at last we get a sneak peak at the new Bvlgari/ Gerald Genta combination. Up until January 2010, Gerald Genta and Daniel Roth have been independent brands operating beneath the Bulgari group; however, times have become tougher and Bulgari has been struggling financially, thus Bulgari decided to merge Gerald Genta and Daniel Roth to make them a Bvlgari brand. The Bvlgari brand name will appear on any future watches.
Our first sneak peak of this fusion is the Bvlgari for Gerald Genta Jump Hour Biretrograde Watch. Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta no longer have their original watch designers and all the marketing, sales, design, distribution and manufacture are all unified with Bvlgari.

The Bvlgari For Gerald Genta (should be Gerald Genta for Bvlgari) Jump Hour Biretrograde Watch is a handsome timepiece, but the name Bvlgari on a clearly Gerald Genta Octo timepiece renders me a tad uncomfortable. Name aside, the 43mm case sports jumping hours, retrograde minute indication and a retrograde calender. What's interesting about the watch is the bezel, which is comprised of satin-finished black ceramic and accentuated with seven bezel studs forming an arc over the retrograde minute display. The onyx-capped beaded winding crown serves as a nice touch. The watch is powered by a GG7722 caliber, self winding mechanical movement capable of a 45 hour power reserve and a balance frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The jumping hour and retrograde minute time display renders the timepiece extremely easy to read with a lovely retro design dial. Bvlgari's name is below the jumping hour towards the center of the dial, and Gerald Genta's logo together with "Cal 7722" is below the retrograde date.

I have a feeling in a couple years, Gerald Genta and Daniel Roth will be completely phased out, with just the distinctive case shapes and jumping hour/ retrograde displays remaining.

Daniel Roth and the Moon!

The marvelous thing about the brand new Athys Moon 2134 is its stamina. The moon phase calender will not need to be adjusted for then next 125 years. One small hitch, the 125 year mark can only be achieved if you remember to wind the watch regularly. The Athys Moon 2134 is a manual wound watch meaning that it has no semi-circular rotor like that of an automatic watch and cannot be wound merely by the swinging motion of ones arm.

The uniqueness of the moon phase complication lies in its Daniel Roth Calibre 2300 (DR2300) which contains a large than normal gear with more teeth. The additional teeth and intricate mechanisms enable precise change of the moon phases for 125 years; although, one may have difficulty proving the longevity of the timepiece.

The Athys Moon 2134 is crafted in either 18k red or white gold. The depiction of the moon on the moon phase disc is strikingly similar to its much larger counterpart. In addition the watch displays the time with a subsidiary seconds dial and a date. The Ellipsocurvex shape of the watch is a signature element of Daniel Roth. The blued steel hands are perfectly tempered to achieve the traditional sky blue color.
It comes at no surprise that Daniel Roth has unveiled such a remarkable feat of engineering, every Daniel Roth timepiece is crafted in its entirety in the Le Sentier workshop, where a team of 30 expert technicians and watchmakers craft a timepiece from an idea to the final product. They can make every possible complication and improve on previous complications. The Athys Moon 2134 took months of meticulous work to create striking watch with a remarkable feature, a feature that will be admired for generations to come.

The Distinct Daniel Roth Watch.

When one thinks of Daniel Roth, an very definite watch case shape comes to mind. The very watch shape case that Daniel Roth had in mind when he established the company in 1989. Although, the company was relatively new it was charged with extreme creativity and Daniel Roth's passion for perfection and the Tourbillon. In a 2004 interview with The Purists, Daniel Roth said,
" I feel tourbillons are alive; they give a watch joy and soul."

Today the company Daniel Roth is churning out superb complications encased in Daniel Roth's original form.
Daniel Roth Perpetual Calendar Moonphase Mens' Watch Platinum Grey Dial on Black Leather Strap

Daniel Roth Premier Retrograde Mens' Watch Automatic Stainless Steel Blue Dial Diamond Bezel

In Daniel Roth's Le Sentier workshops, master watchmakers added to its Masters Grandes Complication line with its Perpetual Calender Moonphase Timepiece. Two superimposed dial sections display the moonphase readout. The date, leap years, month and week are displayed on the lower dial. Daniel Roth Premier Retrograde Mens' Watch Automatic Stainless Steel Blue Dial Diamond Bezel
Daniel Roth's tireless creativity is evident in this striking retrograde timepiece. The date display is in a sub dial at the 6 'o'clock position. The retrograde hour markers are extremely unique. The 12 o'clock is in its traditional position and as the numbers on either side of the 12 extend outwards, tradition is replaced by intriguing design, so much so the hour display are book-ended by two 6 'o'clocks. In every Daniel Roth's timepiece there is always a little surprise. Daniel Roth timepieces are considered highly prestigious amongst watch collectors.

Daniel Roth, the company still bares the name, although Daniel Roth in person is no longer affiliated with the Company. Daniel Roth SA was sold to the Bvlgari Group in 2000, the same year that it acquired Gerald Genta SA. The company continues to amaze watch enthusiasts with its complicated marvels.