Following up on the Gérald Genta 50th Anniversary watch that Bulgari debuted last year, for 2020, a second, sportier model has been announced.
Introducing the Gérald Genta Arena Bi-Retrograde Sport, with the same BVL 300 movement as the 41 mm platinum Gérald Genta 50th Anniversary but in a new, slightly larger, and considerably lighter, 43 mm x 12 mm titanium case.
Gérald Genta, as you likely know, designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the Patek Philippe Nautilus, and he was also involved in the design of the SAS Polerouter, Omega Constellation, and the IWC Ingénieur, among others (there’s actually a dedicated website explaining his work, which underscores just how important he was to watch design). It’s the design of the retrograde watch in 1994, under his eponymous brand.
Genta founded his own watch brand in 1969, the company was sold to Hour Glass Ltd in 1999, which was then sold to Bulgari in 2000, and once became part of the LVMH Group in 2011, the rights for Gérald Genta went to LVMH, and those rights are controlled by Bulgari, which manufactures the Gérald Genta Arena Bi-Retrograde Sport that we introduced today.
Like the 1994 model, the watch has a retrograde display that features a jumping hour and retrograde minutes. The hours are displayed at the top in a window and jump at each change of the hour (previously the hour aperture was at bottom of dial). The retrograde minutes are located at the top as well, and the large sword-shaped, skeletonized, bright yellow varnished minute hand instantly snaps back to 00 once it completes its full arc.
The reason this particular model is called “bi-retrograde” is that the date located on the lower portion of the dial also features a retrograde indication, which accordingly, snaps back to 1, once it reaches its full arc each month.
The bezel and case are finished with a unique circular graining, which is echoed in the finish of the metal that is underneath the two displays. Additionally, the dial is separated thanks to a mixture of frosted and smooth matte surfaces, and bright yellow numbers and hands.
Powering the jumping hours, retrograde minutes, and retrograde date is the caliber BVL 300, which was acquired by Bulgari when they bought the Gérald Genta brand in 2000. The automatic movement beats at 4Hz, measures 26.2 mm x 6.1 mm, has a bi-directional rotor (meaning it winds in both directions), and has a 42-hour power reserve.
Although it’s listed as a sports watch and has a respectable 100 meters of water-resistance, the Gérald Genta Arena Bi-Retrograde Sport comes on a crocodile leather strap. (Ref. 103448)
Retail is approximately $18,500. Available beginning December 2020.
Learn more at Bulgari/Gérald Genta.
