Sotheby’s Final Sale For Fans Of Gerald Genta, The “Picasso Of Watches” Happens June 22

Gerald Genta, known as the Picasso of watch designers, is the star of the final installment of a themed sale at Sotheby’s on June 22. The sale, entitled “Gerald Genta: Icon of Time” celebrates the most famous watch designer of all time and the man behind some of the world’s most sought-after watches. It consists not of watches but of 100 original designs from Genta’s archives, curated by Evelyne Genta, his life and business partner. The encompass drawings of his most iconic timepieces, some never-before-seen private commissions and a selection of innovative, forward-thinking and unique watch designs. Each water color painting will be paired with a unique NFT, featuring an artistic digital replica of the design, a certificate of authenticity, and for select pieces, never-before-seen multimedia content.

Lots include a never-before seen design for the a stainless steel chronograph from the 1960s that Genta created for IWC. Sotheby’s says it predates the Royal Oak, the iconic watch Genta designed for Audemars Piguet in 1970 that stands as the world’s first steel wristwatch. Genta’s other famous designs were the Nautilus, created for Patek Philippe, and the Pasha, designed for Cartier. In 1974, he created the Ingenieur 1832 SL for IWC. The Ingenieur is still part of the IWC collection. Genta, who passed away in 2011, is also remembered as a prolific designer of Mickey Mouse themed watches, and there are several drawings of his creations in the upcoming sale.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit the Gerald Genta Heritage Association, and their mission to encourage and reward the next generation in the watch industry, notably with the launch of the first edition of the Gerald Genta Prize for Young Talent.

Last month, Sotheby’s sold Genta’s personal Royal Oak for CHF 2.1-million ($2.13-million) at its Geneva sale, making it the most valuable vintage Audemars Piguet watch ever sold at auction.