time-keeper


Gerald Genta Minute Repeater Golden Obsidian - the sound of Geneva

September 2026


Gerald Genta Minute Repeater Golden Obsidian - the sound of Geneva

The Geneva Minute Repeater Golden Obsidian brings back the most poetic complication in watchmaking, transforming time into music, in a new iteration unveiled for Geneva Watch Days. Following the launch of the previous Geneva Minute Repeater Black Onyx, this latest piece is a renewed testament to the Maison’s technical mastery of high watchmaking complications, guided by elegance and creativity. Throughout his career, Mr. Genta became renowned for pushing the boundaries of watch design and mechanical complexity. The minute repeater was among his most cherished complications, uniting technical mastery with the emotional resonance of sound. He collaborated closely with his Master Watchmaker, Pierre-Michel Golay, whose expertise in watchmaking, complemented by his passion for opera, played a key role in perfecting the acoustic richness of his minute repeaters.

T

he Geneva Collection takes its name from the city where the Maison’s story began in 1969, and where its revival continues today. Drawing on the legacy of the Cabinotiers de Genève - the master artisans who shaped the city’s watchmaking heritage - the collection embodies what Mr. Genta referred to as “L’Esprit de Genève”. All of the pieces reflect the union of two defining influences.

The technical precision of its movement and the meticulous construction of its case are firmly grounded in the savoir-faire of the tradition of the Cabinotiers de Genève. In contrast, its sculptural silhouette, rounded proportions and distinctive gadroons express an Italian artistic sensibility, bringing emotion, beauty and a sense of joy to the watch. The result transcends watchmaking alone, becoming art on the wrist.

Rooted in vintage geometries yet contemporary in execution, the signature cushion-shaped case balances architectural structure with sculptural softness. The result is an elegant silhouette that feels fluid and sensual. It is through the architecture of the case that the Minute Repeater Golden Obsidian fully comes alive. Smooth gadroon contours sculpt the case, creating a distinctive form that reflects the collection’s attention to detail and craftsmanship. At 40mm, the Minute Repeater Golden Obsidian is crafted with a 3N yellow gold case. Yellow gold is particularly suited to minute repeater watches for its acoustic properties, which allow the sound to resonate with greater warmth and purity.

The dimensions of the case are fundamental to the watch’s acoustic performance, despite the limited space available within. Designed by Matthieu Hegi, Artistic Director of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, the case design and thickness were carefully calibrated to amplify the acoustics of the complication.

The thin case walls and internal architecture of the 9.60mm thick gold case were designed to allow the chime to breathe with clarity. Recalling Mr. Genta’s strict criteria for a minute repeater, sound quality was achieved through extensive work on the case.

To maximize the resonance, every element of the case construction was engineered to eliminate unnecessary weight and resistance. The case has been reduced to just 0.6mm at its thinnest point, while the bezel and caseback have been hollowed internally with circular drilling to allow sound to travel freely.

Directly screwing the bezel and caseback together halves the number of screws required and preserves the rigidity of the thin construction. Even the screws themselves are left unguided, avoiding additional mass and obstacles within the case. The sapphire crystal has been reduced to 0.8mm, down from its usual 1mm, to enhance sound propagation. In the spirit of gérald genta, this technical precision also serves an aesthetic purpose, balancing acoustic performance with wearability and understated elegance.

Alternating brushed and polished finishes create a restrained interplay of light across the case. The polished double gadroons reference gérald genta’s historical pieces, contrasting with the satin-brushed surfaces to accentuate the watch’s slim profile. The minute repeater trigger follows the curve of the case with a thin, tactile design, while redeveloped lugs and a brown calfskin strap enhance the enveloping feel.

Warm textural refinement draws the eyes to the golden obsidian dial. Formed through the rapid cooling of volcanic lava, golden obsidian is prized for its natural depth and shifting reflections, revealing subtle golden highlights beneath its dark surface. Rare and expressive, each stone possesses a unique character, reinforcing the individuality of every piece.

“The incredible thing about obsidian dials is that no two are alike,” says Hegi. “This rare blend of golden and brown tones brings a true sense of individuality, as obsidian is typically black with lighter inclusions.” These warm hues complement the Geneva collection’s design language, while the dial’s iridescent surface pairs naturally with the yellow gold case. Complementary yellow gold indexes and hands, both curved and rounded, display the time.

Softening the overall appearance, the printed white minute track plays with perception, balancing a circular inner profile against an outer contour that follows the case’s sculptural shape. Set against the golden brown obsidian dial, it creates a flirtatious optical illusion - shifting between round and cushion forms as the light moves across the surface. The warmth of the obsidian dial transforms the Geneva Minute Repeater Golden Obsidian from a work of precision into something deeply alive and expressive.

Developed entirely in-house at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton by Master Watchmakers Enrico Barbasini and Michel Navas, the manual-winding GG-002 calibre is fully revealed through an open caseback.

Concerning the approach behind the GG-002, Enrico Barbasini and Michel Navas explain, “Mr. Genta believed a minute repeater should create emotion through sound. With the GG-002, we pursued that same balance between mechanical excellence and beauty.”

Each gong is individually cut, then tuned by ear and hand, and adjusted to the desired vibration amplitude. Paired with black-polished hammers and a traditional single-revolution gong construction, they produce a clear, crystalline chime of exceptional resonance and volume.

The movement is finished entirely by hand according to the highest standards of Haute Horlogerie, featuring Côtes de Genève, hand-beveled angles, and circular graining throughout. Polished gold masselottes fitted to the balance wheel form a refined regulating system rarely found in minute repeater watches, combining precise inertia adjustment with exceptional movement finishing. The octagonal inertia wheel pays tribute to one of Mr. Genta’s signature forms, while an 80-hour power reserve and a refined bar-click winding system add a tactile dimension to the watch’s experience.

With the Geneva Minute Repeater Golden Obsidian, the Maison presents a new iteration of its minute repeater, showcasing its expertise in acoustic performance and technical craftsmanship. Guided by the creative spirit of the Geneva collection, the new addition balances vintage inspiration and contemporary refinement in a design defined by both structure and softness, culminating in a watch that feels unmistakably alive.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

MINUTE REPEATER EBFE02A1

CASE

  • Material Yellow gold 3N
  • Crown Yellow gold, Golden obsidian cabochon

DIAL AND HANDS

  • Dial Golden obsidian
  • Dimensions 40mm
  • Thickness 9.6mm
  • Indexes Minuterie White
  • Hands Yellow gold 3N (polish & rounded)
  • Gold – polished & rounded – with arrow tip

MOVEMENT

  • Caliber GG-002 - In house manufacture caliber. Minute-repeater. Manual winding
  • Power reserve- Frequency 80hrs-3Hz
  • Diameter 32,4 mm
  • Thickness 5,46 mm
  • Components-Jewels 316-32

STRAP

  • Lugs width 20-18mm
  • Material Brown calfskin leather
  • Availability September 2026
  • Price Upon request

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