The fourth timepiece in the Gentissima Oursin collection takes on a warm colour palette and continues to push the boundaries of horological traditions
Warm, energetic and distinctive, the new Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal limited edition timepiece is easily the most flamboyant piece of the collection. The orange cornelian dial enhances the fire opal gems, drawing one in instinctively with every curved detail.
The design of the distinctive Oursin – French for sea urchin – was conceived in Corsica in 1994 on a Genta family vacation. Gérald Genta was captivated by the sea creature, and started sketching the design of a timepiece instinctively. This proud creation of Gérald remains a favourite of his wife, Evelyn Genta, to this day.
…he actually almost didn’t want to sell them and produced only very few for very close friends and clients. Seeing the new Oursin Fire Opal reminds me so much of Gérald, how much he loved adorning stones on his watches and looking at them through various light sources. The multiple ways a stone catches light was for him an endless source of fascination and its own definition of beauty.
Evelyn Genta
At first sight, the fire opal gems that frame the yellow gold case of the new Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal timepiece fascinates. The striking gems hail from deep within Mexico’s volcanoes, getting its intense pigment of yellow, orange or red from the water that gets trapped in the lava. The fire opal’s complex chemical composition has become a point of interest for geologists over centuries. At Gérald Genta, the stone comes to symbolise creativity and confidence.
With this piece, we pushed the boundaries of the Gentissima Oursin creative concept to deliver something enshrined in rare gems, paying homage to Mr. Genta’s passion for organic colors, beautiful stones, and beauty in general.
Matthieu Hegi, Artistic Director of Gérald Genta
The use of fire opals in this timepiece upholds Gérald Genta’s eye for beauty and his attraction to the meaning and power of stones. Dating back to the Aztecs, the fire opal, radiating warmth and energy, symbolises joie de vivre, wellbeing, and enhanced creativity. Resonating with Gérald Genta’s approach to watch design, the Oursin turns the unexpected into art.
The 36mm case in yellow-gold 3N underwent a glass-blasted finish that provides a contrast to the brilliance of the 137 fire opals individually screwed into the case with a yellow gold 3N pin. An oscillating mass in 18K yellow gold was also designed for the automatic Zenith Elite movement within, shares Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, La Fabrique du Temps Master Watchmakers and Founders. Every detail was considered in the process: the faceted crystal, Mr. Genta’s signature shape is observed in the slightly octagonal innermost edge of the case.
Images courtesy of Gérald Genta, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related links:
Jaeger-LeCoultre: The Artistry of Time
Van Cleef & Arpels: The Line of Beauty
