ntroducing the latest and perhaps the most Gentissima piece, the Oursin Fire Opal radiates warmth and energy in every detail.

This fourth piece in the Gentissima Oursin collection comes straight from the gérald genta lab, where design and creativity push the boundaries of horological traditions. The legacy of Mr. Genta strikes at first sight in terms of aesthetics and construction, with individually screwed fire opal gems surrounding the circumference of the yellow gold case of this limited-edition watch. This piece aligns with the Maison’s philosophy of being the starting point for those looking for distinction and elegance in a collection that allows for endless creative possibilities.

The design and individualization of its own personality were paramount. This latest piece in the Gentissima collection follows a tireless pursuit to craft beauty and pays homage to Mr. Genta’s intuitive, creative talent and keen eye for beautiful stones. The fire opal gems hail from the depths of volcanoes throughout Mexico, where water gets trapped in the lava, giving it a distinct yellow, orange, or red pigment. This complex gem is made of a particular chemical composition that has perplexed geologists for centuries.

The fascinating orange hue of this stone and its significance as a symbol of increased creativity and self-confidence inspired Matthieu Hegi, Artistic Director of gérald genta. “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,” Hegi explains.

The Oursin story begins in Corsica in 1994, where the Genta family was on vacation. Oursin means “sea urchin” in French, and one captivated Gérald, who immediately began sketching his first design instinctively, as he always did. The spiny, globular exteriors found horological form in a round case adorned with beads that gave the watch its particular aesthetic in all its variations.

Thirty years later, Oursin opens a profoundly intimate new chapter for the Maison gérald genta. The fourth piece in the collection further explores Mr. Genta’s unique sense of beauty and attraction to meaningful and powerful stones. From the Aztecs to today, the fire opal embodies joie de vivre, well-being, and enhanced creativity. Beyond the sheer beauty of these gems, their meaning resonates with Mr. Genta’s instinctive and personal approach to watch design.

The most flamboyant piece of the collection yet, with the orange cornelian dial echoing the warm hue of the fire opal gems, every curve of the Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal speaks of confidence, elegance, and powerful inner force.

Gérald’s wife, Evelyn Genta, for whom the Oursin is still to this day one of her favorite Genta’s designs, further adds: “The Oursin was among Gérald’s few creations that he was proudest of; 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.”

The design of this watch allows the legacy of Gérald to live on through its vivid design, which catches any wandering attention and radiates playfulness, igniting a spark of fire at first glance. Channeling the instinctive creative approach of its original designer, the new Oursin Fire Opal has been designed instinctively and will speak to those who appreciate the complexity of combining extraordinary design with timeless elegance and refinement.

It represents the sublimation of the unexpected into art, as the stone has been historically associated with artists, musicians, and anyone seeking to ignite creativity. Mr. Genta’s classic design principles can be found throughout, with a modern twist. The dial is crafted from orange cornelian, with the faceted crystal, Mr. Genta’s signature shape, which can also be found in the slightly octagonal innermost edge of the case.

With a diameter of about 36mm, the case in yellow-gold 3N features a glass-blasted finish, contrasting with the brilliance of the 137 fire opals individually screwed into the case one by one with a yellow gold 3N pin.

“To complement the design, we focused on producing this piece using nothing but the highest attention to detail. We designed a specific oscillating mass in 18 karat yellow gold for the automatic Zenith Elite movement,” say Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, La Fabrique du Temps Master Watchmakers and Founders.