he latest chapter in the Gentissima Oursin collection draws inspiration from symbols of transcendent beauty, staying true to the gérald genta spirit of creative ingenuity, where design becomes art.

The latest additions, the Gentissima Oursin 36 Burgundy and the Gentissima Oursin 36 Black Onyx, embody this philosophy, playing with striking contrasts that capture the eye. Design takes center stage, where freedom and glamour harmoniously coexist to create a unified language. The two pieces complement one another to demonstrate the versatility of the Oursin collection, where time defines experiences and serves as a starting point for those seeking distinction.

Both pieces explore refined finishes inspired by natural elements. The Gentissima Oursin 36 Burgundy dial encapsulates the hues of an Iris flower, from which the Artistic Director of La Fabrique du Temps Matthieu Hegi drew his inspiration. The Gentissima Oursin 36 Black Onyx presents a sophisticated evolution of a previous gérald genta creation, offering an elevated aesthetic that physically resembles rare bursts of light and energy that illuminate with every glance.

Building on the legacy of the Oursin, these new pieces redefine traditional watchmaking through elegant and sensual designs. For the Maison, unbridled freedom fuels instinctive creativity, blurring the lines between high watchmaking and art. The same freedom empowers those who wear the pieces.

The Gentissima Oursin is a collection that allows for surprises and ultimate versatility, designed to accompany its wearer through life’s every journey. Artistic Director Matthieu Hegi explains, “ These new iterations play with contrasts and technicality, highlighting the audacious elegance of the design and the creative ingenuity of the Maison.”

The story begins on an island in the Mediterranean in 1994, where Mr. Genta encountered an “oursin”, French for sea urchin, that captivated his imagination. Its globular form inspired a rounded case with convex sides studded with beads—a bold and distinctive design. Genta’s Oursin draws on the paradox of nature; its spiked, sculptural form is both orderly and organic, embodying the Maison’s pursuit of creativity that defies convention while embracing harmony. His wife, Evelyne Genta, admired the piece at first sight and received a bespoke version the following year, which remains her favorite to this day. Now, thirty years later, the collection blooms into a new chapter and to an era of unbound glamour.

Gentissima represents the ultimate expression of independent watchmaking, fearlessly experimenting with creativity. Each curve and edge embodies boldness, celebrating extraordinary moments. These pieces are meant to be lived with, forming a pact between life and art.

The Gentissima Oursin 36 Black Onyx distinguishes itself within the collection with a refined blend of chic and edgy style. Inspired by celestial events, it reflects a rare burst of light and energy — a radiant transformation symbolizing renewal and brilliance brought to life, bead by bead. Through the stark contrasts of the black onyx dial and gold- spiked beads, the Gentissima Oursin 36 Black Onyx exudes quiet confidence, representing understated elegance.

This piece expresses a softer elegance, complementing a style that is an aesthetic that is both defiant and sleek. The case is glass-blasted in yellow gold 3N with 223 hand-screwed spiked beads, evoking a rebellious aesthetic that conveys bold expressions and sculpted edges.

At its heart lies a black onyx dial, reflecting the signature octagonal shape of the facetted crystal. Its textured surface plays with light and shadow, enhancing the metal’s richness and the bold contrast between dial and beads. Mr. Genta and Matthieu Hegi were both fascinated with hard stones; the use of onyx is a tribute to their passion for precious gems. Under the dial, the GG-005 movement features a Zenith Elite base and a revisited oscillating mass, with a 50-hour power reserve at a frequency of 4 Hz. The strap is made of rare, black, exotic leather.

The Gentissima Oursin 36 Black Onyx is a bold yet refined tribute to Gérald Genta’s enduring spirit, where radical design, precious materials, and mechanical artistry converge in perfect balance.

Innate creativity finds harmony with nature. The choice of burgundy evokes the rich hues of the Tall Bearded Iris, a flower long associated with beauty and uniqueness. This reflects Matthieu Hegi’s inspiration and recalls the design and elegance embodied by the Oursin collection. The deep-hued petals and mustard- bronze beards found on the flower echo the striking duality of the watch’s design, mirrored in both the dial and the color of the beads.

The brass dial features a hidden octagonal-shaped guilloche pattern that catches every beam of light. Warm glows of rose gold lend the watch a sense of refined romance, a radiance that plays subtly with light. The case is crafted in 4N rose gold and features a glass-blasted finish that exudes softness with a matte texture, reflecting natural light at any time of day. The texture recalls the velvety surface of flower petals captured in metal. Along the bezel and case, hand- set beads are set with precision that recalls miniature droplets of morning dew on flower petals, echoing beauty suspended in time. The Gentissima Oursin 36 Burgundy is paired with a burgundy calf leather strap, offering a deeper tonal contrast that subtly draws attention to the beadwork on the case, allowing it to shine truly. Like the Oursin 36 Black Onyx, the GG-005 movement features a Zenith Elite base and a revisited oscillating mass, offering a 50-hour power reserve and a frequency of 4 Hz.

A tribute to nature’s quiet brilliance, the Gentissima Oursin 36 Burgundy unites poetic design with mechanical precision in a timepiece that radiates elegance from every angle.

The new Gentissima Oursin 36 Burgundy and Black Onyx mark an evolution of the Oursin collection, blending modern expressions of elegance and audacious shapes. Each piece captures the duality of nature and design, offering a refined yet glamorous presence on the wrist, reaffirming gérald genta’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking through artistry and emotion.